Blood flow monitors and methods of monitoring characteristics of tissue
Inventors
Dillon, Travis • Dwarakaprasad, Suresh • Petroskey, David Edwin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12426848-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
Blood flow monitors and methods of monitoring characteristics of tissue are described. An example method of monitoring characteristics of tissue includes: placing a tissue flap at a point of treatment, the tissue flap is a section of tissue that includes a blood vessel; attaching a first sensor to the tissue flap to monitor blood flow through the blood vessel; attaching the first sensor to a blood flow monitor that has a first visual display field and a second visual display field; attaching a second sensor to the tissue flap to monitor a characteristic of the tissue flap; attaching the second sensor to the blood flow monitor; activating the blood flow monitor to observe the blood flow through the first blood vessel and the characteristic of the tissue flap; and monitoring the blood flow through the first blood vessel over a period of time and the characteristic of the tissue flap.
Core Innovation
The system for monitoring characteristics of tissue of an individual uses a first sensor engaging with a tissue flap to capture data related to blood flow and a second sensor engaging with the flap to capture data related to a tissue characteristic. Separate visual display fields show blood flow over time and the tissue characteristic. The supplied content identifies a Doppler probe and an StO₂ sensor as examples.
The monitor also supports frequency-domain and combined time- and frequency-domain displays, comparison of flow in two blood vessels, sensor-data processing and output, and remote data access. The disclosure also describes an integrated cable-verifier port for bedside testing of monitor ports and extension cables. The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so the problem identified there is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified: claim 1 covers a system for monitoring tissue characteristics, and claim 16 covers a blood flow monitor.
Tissue-flap monitoring system with separate displays
Claim 1 recites a blood flow monitor with first and second visual display fields, a first sensor configured to capture data related to blood flow of a tissue flap, and a second sensor configured to capture data related to a characteristic of the flap. The first field displays blood flow over time, and the second field shows the characteristic.
Blood flow monitor with sensor ports and separate displays
Claim 16 recites a blood flow monitor with a first visual display for blood flow over time of a blood vessel of a tissue flap and a second visual display for a characteristic of the flap. A first port couples to a cable of a blood-flow sensor, and a second port couples to a cable of a sensor for the tissue-flap characteristic.
The two independent claims cover a tissue-flap monitoring system and a blood flow monitor. Both provide separate display of blood flow over time and a tissue characteristic; the monitor claim also specifies separate ports for the respective sensor cables.
Stated Advantages
Trend-based, dual-parameter monitoring can improve recognition of flap compromise.
The monitoring can reduce unnecessary intervention and flap loss.
Documented Applications
Monitoring blood flow and another tissue characteristic in a tissue flap.
Comparing blood flow in two vessels of a tissue flap.
Remote access to monitor data.
Bedside testing of monitor ports and extension cables using the integrated cable-verifier port.
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