Systems, devices and methods for draining and analyzing bodily fluids

Inventors

Luxon, Evan S. • HAMILTON, Marcie • BURNETT, Daniel R. • Ziegler, Mark

Assignees

Potrero Medical Inc

Abstract

A device for draining bodily fluids is described herein which generally may comprise an elongate body defining one or more lumens configured to receive a bodily fluid from a cavity, e.g., bladder, of a patient body. The one or more lumens are in fluid communication with a reservoir which may receive the bodily fluid. A pumping mechanism may be used to urge the bodily fluid through the one or more lumens, where the pumping mechanism is configured to maintain an open space within the one or more lumens such that outflow of the bodily fluid through the one or more lumens remains unobstructed such that a negative pressure buildup in the cavity is inhibited. The device may also include a vent or valve mechanism in communication with the elongate body to allow air to enter or exit the one or more lumens.

Core Innovation

A device for draining bodily fluids includes an elongate body defining one or more lumens configured to receive bodily fluid from a cavity of a patient body, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the one or more lumens for receiving the bodily fluid. One or more optical sensors in communication with the reservoir detect color, opacity, or wavelength specific entities from the bodily fluid received within the reservoir, and the reservoir is configured to self-empty at a predetermined volume so the optical sensors detect a current value from the bodily fluid.

A pumping mechanism is positioned distal to the reservoir and urges bodily fluid through the one or more lumens, with the pumping mechanism configured such that bodily fluid through the one or more lumens remains unobstructed to maintain an open space within the one or more lumens. A vent or valve mechanism in communication with the elongate body allows air to enter or exit the one or more lumens so outflow of the bodily fluid through the one or more lumens remains unobstructed and negative pressure buildup in the cavity is inhibited.

In a corresponding method, an elongate body is positioned within a cavity of a patient body so the one or more lumens receive bodily fluid from the cavity, and a pumping mechanism is actuated to urge the bodily fluid through the one or more lumens such that outflow remains unobstructed. Air is flowed into or from the one or more lumens via a vent or valve mechanism located between a reservoir and the cavity in communication with the elongate body, the bodily fluid is received in the reservoir, optical sensors detect color, opacity, or wavelength specific entities from the bodily fluid, and the reservoir self-empties at a predetermined volume so the optical sensors detect a current value.

Claims Coverage

The document provides two independent claims, a device claim and a method claim, centered on maintaining unobstructed outflow during bodily fluid drainage while inhibiting negative pressure buildup, and requiring optical sensing of color, opacity, or wavelength specific entities with reservoir self-emptying at a predetermined volume. Collectively, the independent claims specify three core inventive features.

Across the independent claims, the inventive concept combines a drainage device and method that use an elongate lumen and reservoir with pumping to keep outflow unobstructed, together with a vent or valve that admits or releases air to inhibit negative pressure buildup in the cavity, while also using optical sensors to detect color, opacity, or wavelength specific entities from reservoir fluid. The reservoir self-emptying at a predetermined volume is required so the optical sensors detect a current value.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications