Systems and methods for estimating a volume of a hollow organ
Inventors
Damaser, Margot S. • Majerus, Steve
Assignees
Cleveland Clinic Foundation • US Department of Veterans Affairs
Publication Number
US-11207013-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-28
Expiration Date
2037-01-26
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to estimating an interior diameter of a hollow organ. As such, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can include a light-based distance sensor and a device housing the light-based distance sensor located within the hollow organ. The light-based distance sensor can include an emitter and a detector. The emitter can transmit a conical beam of light to an inner surface of a hollow organ. The detector can receive a portion of the light back-reflected from the inner surface of the hollow organ. The device can determine a volume of the hollow organ based on a signal related to the back-reflected portion of the light, which can be based on a distance between the light-based distance sensor and the inner surface of the hollow organ.
Core Innovation
The present disclosure relates generally to estimating a volume of a hollow organ by employing light-based distance sensing to measure a distance to an interior wall of the hollow organ. The system includes a light-based distance sensor with an emitter that transmits a conical beam of light, such as infrared, laser, or visible incoherent light, and a detector that receives back-reflected light from the inner surface of the hollow organ. Using the signal related to the back-reflected light, the device estimates the volume of the hollow organ based on the determined distance.
The problem being solved arises from limitations of conventional diagnostic techniques for hollow organ dysfunctions, such as conventional urodynamic tests for bladder function, which provide only snapshots in non-physiological and uncomfortable environments and sometimes fail to reproduce symptoms. Ambulatory urodynamic tests offer an alternative but are expensive and have questionable accuracy. Thus, there is a need for accurate, physiologically relevant, and practical methods to estimate volumes of hollow organs like the bladder during normal conditions.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims detailing a system with a floating device having light-based distance sensors, a method for estimating bladder volume using dual sensors, and a method for tracking bladder pressure and volume to aid diagnosis.
System with dual polar-end light-based distance sensors in a floating device
A device configured to float within urine in a patient's bladder, comprising two light-based distance sensors located at opposite polar ends. Each sensor includes an infrared LED emitter transmitting a conical beam of light to an inner bladder surface and a detector receiving back-reflected light based on distance to that surface. The electronics determine bladder radius from the average of the two distances, and a battery powers the sensors and acts as an orienting weight within the bladder. A non-rigid portion controls device location within the bladder.
Method for estimating bladder volume using dual light-based distance sensors
Transmitting conical beams of light from emitters of two light-based distance sensors located at opposite polar ends of a floating device within the bladder to respective inner surfaces. Receiving portions of back-reflected light at respective receivers to determine distances from each sensor to the bladder surfaces. Estimating bladder volume using a spherical approximation based on the average of the two distances.
Method for tracking bladder pressure and volume for dysfunction diagnosis
Determining bladder pressures at multiple points over time using a pressure sensor on a floating device with two light-based distance sensors on opposing polar ends. Estimating corresponding bladder volumes from the sensors' distance data. Determining a subset of bladder pressures and volumes during specific time segments. Sending the data subset to an external device and diagnosing bladder dysfunction based on comparisons with quantified metrics for the dysfunction.
The independent claims collectively cover a floating device with dual light-based distance sensors for distance and volume measurement, methods for estimating bladder volume using dual sensor measurements and spherical approximation, and usage of pressure and volume data over time to diagnose bladder dysfunctions.
Stated Advantages
The system provides increased accuracy for ambulatory urodynamics by estimating bladder volume within physiologic conditions.
The use of two sensors at polar ends reduces motion artifacts and improves measurement accuracy.
Estimating bladder volume and pressure simultaneously facilitates better understanding and diagnosis of bladder dysfunctions.
The device design, including an orienting weight and water-resistant housing, ensures stable orientation and durability within the bladder environment.
Combining distance measurements with conductance sensing enhances sensitivity and accuracy over a wide range of bladder diameters and urine properties.
Documented Applications
Estimating the volume of a hollow organ, such as the urinary bladder, using light-based distance sensing.
Facilitating ambulatory urodynamics by providing accurate bladder volume and pressure data under normal physiologic conditions.
Tracking bladder pressure and bladder volume over time to support diagnosis of bladder dysfunctions including overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, neurogenic bladder, and related conditions.
Using the volume estimation to improve computer algorithms for diagnosis and control of bladder functions.
Interested in licensing this patent?