US4697593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring blood oxygen levels
Assignee: Antec Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1985-06-25
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Granted: 1987-10-06
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Expires: 2005-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the in-vivo measurement of blood oxygen levels in a patient, including an elongate probe adapted to pass into the oesophagus of the patient, a fibre optic light channel for illuminating the internal surface of the oesophagus a photosensor for monitoring light reflected from the internal surface of the oesophagus and a signal processor for determining from the reflected light signal the degree of oxygenation of blood in the internal surface of the oesophagus. A single optical fibre light channel may be utilized both to conduct light into the probe to illuminate the internal surface of the oesophagus, and to conduct light reflected from the internal surface of the oesophagus to the exterior of the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Evans
- 👤 Colin C. Wise
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/14542; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1459; A61B5/42; A61B5/4222; A61B5/4233; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0402; A61M16/0415; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0454; A61M16/0459; A61M16/044; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/32; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3368; A61M2230/00; A61M2230/20; A61M2230/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for the in-vivo measurement of blood oxygen levels in a patient, which apparatus comprises, an elongate probe having a distal end adapted to pass into an internal lumen of the patient selected from the oesophagus and trachea and a proximal end adapted to remain externally of the patient, means operatively coupled to the probe for illuminating the internal surface of the said internal lumen laterally of the distal end of the probe, means for viewing in a direction generally lateral of the distal end of the probe so as to observe light reflected from the internal surface of the internal lumen, and means for determining from the reflected light signal the degree of oxygenation of blood in the internal surface of the internal lumen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for the in-vivo measurement of blood oxygen levels in a patient, which apparatus comprises, an elongate probe having a distal end adapted to pass into an internal lumen of the patient selected from the oesophagus and trachea and a proximal end adapted to remain externally of the patient, means operatively coupled to the probe for illuminating the internal surface of the said internal lumen laterally of the distal end of the probe, means for viewing in a direction generally lateral of the distal end of the probe so as to observe light reflected from the internal surface of the internal lumen, and means for determining from the reflected light signal the degree of oxygenation of blood in the internal surface of the internal lumen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including at least one optical fibre light channel mounted to the probe for conducting light between the distal end and the proximal end of the probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for illuminating includes a light source adapted to remain externally of the patient, and further comprising a beam splitter disposed at the proximal end of the probe, whereby a single optical fibre light channel may be utilized both to conduct light from the light source into the probe to illuminate the internal surface of the internal lumen, and to conduct light reflected from the internal surface of the internal lumen to th exterior of the patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for illuminating includes a light source adapted to remain externally of the patient, and further comprising a first optical fibre light channel mounted to the probe for conducting light from the light source at the proximal end to the distal end of the probe to illuminate the internal lumen, and a second optical fibre light channel for conducting light reflected from the internal surface of the internal lumen from the distal end to the proximal end of the probe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for illuminating includes a light source adapted to remain externally of the patient, and further comprising means operatively coupled to the distal end of the probe to cause light conducted through the at least one optical fibre light channel to be deflected at approximately 90°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for illuminating includes a light source mounted on the probe for illuminating the internal surface of the internal lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for illuminating the internal surface of the said internal lumen is adapted to produce light of one or more narrow frequency bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for illuminating the internal surface of the said internal lumen comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a diffuser associated with the illuminating means, for diffusing the light emitted by the illuminating means within the internal lumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the viewing means comprises a light sensitive detector mounted on the distal part of the probe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the viewing means includes a frequency-specific detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for determining the degree of oxygenation of blood includes means for measuring the reflectance of light from the internal surface of the internal lumen at at least one wavelength.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including means for comparing the reflectance of the internal surface of the said internal lumen at at least two spaced wavelengths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for generating an alarm signal when the intensity of light reflected from the internal surface of the internal lumen falls below a pre-set level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for measuring oesophageal contractions, to determine the degree of anaesthesia of the patient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the probe includes a balloon adapted to apply stimulating pressure to the internal surface of the oesophagus, and wherein the probe is adapted to receive light reflected from the area of the internal surface of the oesophagus stimulated by the balloon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illuminating means is adapted to provide intermittent illumination of the oesophagus.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for the in-vivo measurement of blood oxygen levels in a patient, which method comprises: illuminating the internal surface of an internal lumen of a patient selected from the oesophagus and trachea, observing light reflected from the internal surface of the oesophagus or trachea, and determining from the reflected light signal the degree of oxygenation of blood in the internal surface of the oesophagus or trachea.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for the in-vivo measurement of blood oxygen levels in a patient, which method comprises: illuminating the internal surface of an internal lumen of a patient selected from the oesophagus and trachea, observing light reflected from the internal surface of the oesophagus or trachea, and determining from the reflected light signal the degree of oxygenation of blood in the internal surface of the oesophagus or trachea.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-05 | 1991-04-06 | 1991-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-05 | 1995-04-06 | 1995-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-05 | 1999-04-06 | 1999-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |