Method and apparatus for pressure measurement
Inventors
BURNETT, Daniel R. • Reynolds, Byron • Neil, Brian M. • HALL, Gregory W. • Guerra, Paul B.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9931044-B2
Publication Date
2018-04-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for measuring pressure in a patient are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a pressure measurement system comprising a pressure source, a compliant bladder, a catheter in communication with the pressure source, pressure sensors, and a controller configured to determine a pressure within the compliant bladder. The pressure measurement system can inflate the compliant bladder with gas or air to determine a pressure within a patient. In one embodiment, the pressure measurement system measures pressure within a peritoneal cavity.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a patient pressure measurement catheter anchored within a patient body via a retention balloon. A pressure sensing membrane is disposed on the pressure measurement catheter and communicates with a pressure lumen, and a pressure sensor receives a pressure signal from the pressure sensing membrane via the pressure lumen so that the controller determines a pressure within the patient.
The controller controls a flow of fluid to the pressure sensing membrane. The disclosed approach includes a compliant gas-filled bladder on the catheter that is inflated to a target pressure/volume and then partially-inflated by removing gas to reach an appropriate measurement condition for pressure measurement, together with controller priming and leak-test routines and periodic re-priming to maintain the measurement pressure and reduce effects from drift or leaks.
The disclosed configurations further address catheter performance and pressure-lumen integrity by including optional infusion and extraction lumens, anti-kinking or obstruction resistance structures, and mitigations for fluid contamination in the pressure lumen. Optional displacement balloons and related void-protection concepts are described to protect the measurement balloon, and the disclosure extends pressure measurement to peritoneal cavity pressure for therapeutic hypothermia and to a modified Foley catheter configuration for urinary tract pressure.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present: one directed to a method of measuring pressure in a patient and one directed to a pressure measurement system. The independent claims include the core inventive elements of anchoring a catheter with a retention balloon, coupling a pressure sensing membrane to a pressure lumen and pressure sensor, and using a controller to determine intrapatient pressure while controlling fluid flow to the pressure sensing membrane.
A pressure measurement catheter anchored via a retention balloon
Anchoring a pressure measurement catheter within a patient via a retention balloon.
Inflating a pressure sensing membrane disposed on the catheter
Inflating a pressure sensing membrane disposed on the pressure measurement catheter.
Measuring membrane pressure with a pressure sensor and controller
Measuring a pressure of the pressure sensing membrane with a pressure sensor in communication with the pressure sensing membrane and with a controller to determine a pressure within the patient.
Controlling a flow of fluid to the pressure sensing membrane
Controlling a flow of fluid to the pressure sensing membrane via the controller.
A catheter with a pressure lumen and a pressure sensing membrane in communication
A catheter having a pressure lumen disposed in the catheter, and a pressure sensing membrane disposed on the catheter, the pressure sensing membrane being in communication with the pressure lumen.
A retention balloon configured to anchor the catheter
A retention balloon configured to anchor the catheter within a patient body.
A pressure sensor coupled to the pressure lumen
A pressure sensor coupled to the pressure lumen and configured to receive a pressure signal from the pressure sensing membrane via the pressure lumen.
A controller configured to receive the pressure signal and control fluid flow
A controller configured to receive the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and to control a flow of fluid to the pressure sensing membrane.
The independent method and system claims center on a retention-balloon-anchored catheter, a pressure sensing membrane in communication with a pressure lumen and pressure sensor, and a controller that determines pressure within the patient while controlling fluid flow to the pressure sensing membrane.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Peritoneal cavity pressure for therapeutic hypothermia.
Measuring pressure in the patient urinary tract using a modified Foley catheter configuration.
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