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-9427305-B2
Publication Date
2016-08-30
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 invention provides a prosthesis for monitoring a characteristic of flow using a first tubular prosthesis with proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. A non-optical sensor detects a characteristic of fluid flowing through the lumen of the first tubular prosthesis, and a layer of material is provided over the sensor and sealingly couples the sensor to a surface of the first tubular prosthesis without embedding the sensor within the first tubular prosthesis, with the sensor insulated from contact with fluid flowing through the lumen.
The prosthesis further includes a second tubular prosthesis having a lumen extending therethrough. The second tubular prosthesis is coaxially mounted to the first tubular prosthesis such that the non-optical sensor is not interposed between the first and second tubular prosthesis.
The disclosed monitoring characteristic of flow includes detecting flow velocity and flow rate, occlusion and degree of occlusion, and stenosis and degree of stenosis. The sensor arrangement is described for localized and multi-parameter measurement, including sensor modalities for wall stress/strain/pressure and turbulence, and sensor array geometries including circumferential, axial, helical, and discrete rings or annular bands, with different open/closed configurations and undulating elongated elements in serpentine/candy-stripe patterns.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set is centered on a prosthesis that monitors a characteristic of flow using a non-optical sensor sealingly coupled to a first tubular prosthesis while a coaxial second tubular prosthesis is mounted so the sensor is not interposed between the two tubular components. The inventive features include the non-embedded, insulated sensor sealing configuration and the specific coaxial mounting relationship.
Non-optical flow characteristic sensing with sealed, non-embedded insulated sensor
A non-optical sensor detects a characteristic of fluid flowing through the lumen of the first tubular prosthesis, and a layer of material sealingly couples the sensor to a surface of the first tubular prosthesis without embedding the sensor within the first tubular prosthesis, wherein the sensor is insulated from contact with fluid flowing through the lumen.
Coaxial mounting that avoids interposing the sensor between tubular prostheses
The second tubular prosthesis is coaxially mounted to the first tubular prosthesis such that the non-optical sensor is not interposed between the first and second tubular prosthesis.
Overall claim coverage focuses on the non-optical sensor being sealingly coupled to the surface of a first tubular prosthesis without embedding and insulated from lumen fluid, together with coaxial mounting of a second tubular prosthesis that keeps the sensor from being interposed between the tubular components.
Stated Advantages
Improved monitoring frequency.
Reduced reliance on ultrasound imaging.
Documented Applications
Monitoring flow characteristics in a prosthetic vascular graft, including detection of occlusion level, flow rate, flow velocity, occlusion location, and turbulence.
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