Method and apparatus for measuring flow through a lumen
Inventors
Kuraguntla, David John • Gupta, Samit Kumar • Rushenberg, Robert Lawrence
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10548527-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A prosthesis for monitoring a characteristic of flow includes a first tubular prosthesis having a lumen and a sensor for detecting the characteristic of flow through the lumen. The sensor may be covered with another tubular prosthesis or by a layer of material in order to insulate the sensor from the fluid flow. A pocket may be formed between the tubular prosthesis and the adjacent layer of material or prosthesis and the sensor may be disposed in the pocket.
Core Innovation
A system for monitoring flow through a prosthesis includes a prosthesis having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen configured for fluid flow, and a longitudinal axis parallel to the lumen. A sensor is operatively coupled with the prosthesis to sense one of stress exerted on the prosthesis or strain exerted on the prosthesis and to output data related to the sensed stress or strain.
In one configuration, the prosthesis includes a first tubular structure coaxial with a second tubular structure, with a first sensor on the first tubular structure and a second sensor on the second tubular structure. In another configuration, the sensor includes a first sensor oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second sensor oriented in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
The system further provides data transmission architecture in which the sensor data is conveyed as data via a transmitter implemented in an integrated circuit chip that comprises a data transmitter. The transmission can use at least one communication technology chosen from radiofrequency, Bluetooth, internet, or near field communication, and a receiver processes the data before it is displayed to a physician or caregiver.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover 3 inventive features for a prosthetic flow-monitoring system and associated data transmission.
Coaxial first and second sensors on a tubular prosthesis
A prosthesis with a lumen for fluid flow, a sensor operatively coupled to sense one of stress or strain on the prosthesis and output data related to the sensed stress or strain, where the sensor comprises first and second sensors, and where the prosthesis includes first and second coaxial tubular structures with the first sensor on the first tubular structure and the second sensor on the second tubular structure.
Integrated circuit chip with data transmitter using specified communication technologies
An integrated circuit chip includes a data transmitter that transmits data sensed by a sensor, using at least one communication technology chosen from radiofrequency, Bluetooth, internet, or near field communication.
Parallel and orthogonal oriented stress/strain sensors
A prosthesis with a lumen for fluid flow, a sensor operatively coupled to directly measure one of stress exerted on the prosthesis or strain exerted on the prosthesis and to output data related to the measured stress or strain, wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second sensor oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
The claims center on prosthetic flow monitoring from stress or strain sensing, with sensor placement in coaxial tubular structures or in parallel and orthogonal orientations, together with an integrated-circuit data transmitter using specified communication technologies.
Stated Advantages
Allows detection of occlusion level, flow rate/velocity, occlusion location, and turbulence in a validation setup.
Documented Applications
Monitoring flow through a prosthesis having a lumen, as exemplified by a PVDF-sensor ePTFE graft in a simulated pump/gel setup to detect occlusion level, flow rate/velocity, occlusion location, and turbulence.
Monitoring flow through other tubular prostheses and bodily fluid conduits including stent/stent-graft, ureter/urethral, catheter, TIPS, and CSF shunts.
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