Remote pressure sensing system and method thereof
Inventors
Gefen, Ra'anan • Sheps, Tal • Eshel, Reuven • Mendelewicz, Ran • Kinrot, Noam
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8702620-B2
Publication Date
2014-04-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method for use with a body of a subject. The system comprises a medical device, having a portion thereof configured to be placed inside the subject's body, said portion of the medical device being configured to be propelled by fluid pressure through a body lumen; at least two pressure sensors accommodated remotely from the subject's body at two different spaced-apart positions outside the subject's body and configured and operable to detect pressure at the two spaced-apart remote positions; said at least two pressure sensors being in fluid communication with at least one site inside the subject's body, a relation between the pressure at said at least one site and the pressures at said two spaced-apart remote positions being thereby indicative of the fluid pressure at said at least one site.
Core Innovation
A remote pressure sensing and monitoring system is provided for a medical device configured to be propelled by fluid pressure through a body lumen inside a subject. At least first and second pressure sensors are accommodated remotely from the subject’s body at two different spaced-apart positions outside the subject’s body and detect pressure at those remote positions, while being in fluid communication with at least one site inside the subject’s body.
The system includes at least one tubular member with a distal end connected to the first pressure sensor and a proximal end connected to the second pressure sensor. The tubular member operates as a flow resistor and is selected to have a first characteristic resistance to fluid flow, while the first and second pressure sensors measure a pressure gradient across the tubular member. A distal flow path extending between the tubular member and the medical device exhibits a second characteristic resistance to fluid flow.
A control unit monitors and regulates fluid pressure at the at least one site by generating an output indicative of the pressure at the at least one site. The control unit utilizes a model based upon a ratio between the first characteristic resistance and the second characteristic resistance to generate an output indicative of the pressure at the at least one site, including a model based on the ratio of the second characteristic resistance and the first characteristic resistance. The described approach infers the internal pressure without using a flow-rate sensor by using measured pressure gradient information and resistance ratio modeling.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims. Each independent claim shares the same core inventive concept: remote pressure sensors, a flow-resistor/tubular member producing a measured pressure gradient, and a control-unit model using a ratio of characteristic resistances to generate an output indicative of internal pressure.
Remote pressure sensing at spaced-apart positions with fluid communication to an internal site
A medical device has a portion configured to be placed inside the subject’s body and propelled by fluid pressure through a body lumen, and at least first and second pressure sensors are accommodated remotely from the subject’s body at two different spaced-apart positions outside the subject’s body to detect pressures and are configured in fluid communication with at least one site inside the subject’s body.
Flow resistor tubular member measuring a pressure gradient across the tubular member
At least one tubular member has a distal end connected to the first pressure sensor and a proximal end connected to the second pressure sensor, the tubular member is configured and operable as a flow resistor and selected to have a first characteristic resistance to fluid flow, and the first and second pressure sensors measuring a pressure gradient across the tubular member.
Distal flow path with a second characteristic resistance linked to the medical device
A distal flow path extends between the tubular member and the medical device and exhibits a second characteristic resistance to fluid flow.
Control-unit model using a resistance ratio to generate an output indicative of internal pressure
A control unit monitors and regulates fluid pressure at the at least one site, and utilizes a model based upon a ratio between the first characteristic resistance and the second characteristic resistance to generate an output indicative of the pressure at the at least one site, the output indicative of a pressure level at the at least one site being generated utilizing a model based upon a ratio between the second characteristic resistance and the first characteristic resistance.
Inflatable balloon monitored and regulated using the resistance-ratio model
The control unit is for monitoring and regulating fluid pressure at the at least one site and within at least one inflatable balloon, and generates an output indicative of a pressure level at the at least one site utilizing at least one model based upon a ratio between the second characteristic resistance and the first characteristic resistance.
Across both independent claims, the claim coverage centers on remotely placed pressure sensors communicating with an internal site, a tubular-member flow resistor that supports measurement of a pressure gradient, a distal flow path with a second characteristic resistance, and a control-unit model that generates an output indicative of internal pressure using a ratio of characteristic resistances.
Stated Advantages
Improved accuracy for nonlinear models in experimental pressure estimation relative to measured distal/piston-head pressure.
Documented Applications
Remote pressure sensing and monitoring for a fluid-propelled medical device positioned inside a subject’s body lumen, including a colonoscope configuration with piston head and/or inflatable balloons.
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