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-11547352-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-10
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
The patent describes systems and methods for monitoring flow through a prosthesis having a lumen configured for fluid flow. The prosthesis includes a longitudinal axis parallel to the lumen and includes a first tubular structure coaxial with a second tubular structure. At least two sensors are operatively coupled with the prosthesis and sense one of stress exerted on the prosthesis or strain exerted on the prosthesis, and output data related to the sensed stress or strain.
A sensor placement configuration is described in which one of the at least two sensors is partially disposed around one of the first and second tubular structure. Another of the at least two sensors is disposed within the other of the first and second tubular structure to form an open annular band. The sensor arrangement is also described in configurations including circumferential, orthogonal/transverse, axial, and helical placement, including open versus closed annular bands.
The patent further describes sensor types and sensing approaches for flow monitoring, including piezoelectric PVDF sensors and piezoresistive or other sensor arrays. The sensing is described as enabling detection of flow characteristics such as velocity/flow rate, occlusion/stenosis degree and location, turbulence/non-laminar flow, and wall thickening. Data is transmitted to a receiver and displayed or processed for repeated clinician monitoring, and power may be supplied using wireless transmission and radiofrequency induction.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim specifies a flow-monitoring system that uses at least two sensors coupled to a tubular prosthesis, where the sensors output data related to sensed stress or strain. The claim includes a specific open annular band sensor placement across coaxial tubular structures, with additional claim refinements described in dependent claims.
Stress or strain sensing for flow monitoring
A prosthesis having a lumen configured for fluid flow and a longitudinal axis parallel to the lumen, with at least two sensors operatively coupled with the prosthesis, wherein the at least two sensors sense one of stress exerted on the prosthesis or strain exerted on the prosthesis and output data related to the sensed stress or strain.
Coaxial tubular structures with open annular band sensor placement
The prosthesis includes a first tubular structure coaxial with a second tubular structure; wherein one of the at least two sensors is partially disposed around one of the first and second tubular structure and another of the at least two sensors is disposed within the other of the first and second tubular structure to form an open annular band.
Receiver for sensor data
A receiver configured to receive the data output by the sensors.
Intracorporeal or extracorporeal receiver implementation
The receiver is implemented as either an intracorporeal device or an extracorporeal device.
Radiofrequency induction power for sensors
Power is supplied to at least two sensors using radiofrequency induction.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on using stress/strain sensing to generate data for flow monitoring through a lumen-bearing tubular prosthesis with coaxial tubular structures, including an open annular band placement of sensors across the coaxial structures, and further includes receiver and data/power features as specified in dependent claims.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Monitoring flow through implantable tubular prostheses, including vascular grafts, stent-grafts, and stents, using sensor-coupled configurations described in the patent.
Repeated clinician monitoring of flow characteristics during a clinical workflow, including potential interventions if flow is inadequate (described conceptually in the provided summary content).
Experimental evaluation using a PVDF sensor in an ePTFE graft with an overlay layer using simulated blood flow to detect occlusion level, flow rate, flow velocity, occlusion location, and turbulence.
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