Patent US4846191A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4846191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for chronic measurement of internal body pressure
Assignee: Data Sciences International Inc
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Filing: 1988-05-27
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2008-05-27
Abstract
Abstract Measurement of a physiological pressure is accomplished by placement of a pressure transmitting catheter within a blood vessel or other structure within which pressure is to be measured. The catheter is blood-compatible, capable of withstanding handling during distribution and implantation, and provides adequate pressure transmission frequency response in a variety of applications. The catheter, which includes a hollow flexible tube filled with a low viscosity fluid and having a plug of a gel-like material at its distal end, transmits the pressure signal to a solid-state transducer which is typically connected to amplifying electronics and an implantable radio-transmitter capable of relaying the pressure information from within the body to a radio receiver located external to the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian P. Brockway
- 👤 Perry A. Mills
- 👤 Jonathan T. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; G; G01; G01L; G01L19/00; G01L19/14; G01L19/141; A61B5/0002; A61B5/0031; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/0215; A61B5/03; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6879; A61B5/6882; G01L19/0061; G01L19/0084; G01L19/147; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A pressure measurement device for measuring a physiological pressure, the device comprising: pressure transducer means for providing a signal which varies as a function of pressure; pressure transmitting catheter means for transmitting the physiological pressure to the pressure transducer means, the pressure transmitting catheter means including a hollow flexible tube having a first end for placement at a position at which the physiological pressure is to be measured, a second end in communication with the pressure transducer means, a gel-like material positioned in the tube at the first end, and a liquid which fills the tube and interfaces with the pressure transducer means for transmitting pressure from the gel-like material to the pressure transducer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A pressure measurement device for measuring a physiological pressure, the device comprising: pressure transducer means for providing a signal which varies as a function of pressure; pressure transmitting catheter means for transmitting the physiological pressure to the pressure transducer means, the pressure transmitting catheter means including a hollow flexible tube having a first end for placement at a position at which the physiological pressure is to be measured, a second end in communication with the pressure transducer means, a gel-like material positioned in the tube at the first end, and a liquid which fills the tube and interfaces with the pressure transducer means for transmitting pressure from the gel-like material to the pressure transducer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the liquid is a hydrophobic liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 2 wherein the hydrophobic liquid is an inert fluorinated hydrocarbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the liquid is substantially insoluble in the gel-like material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the liquid has a lower viscosity than the gel-like material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the tube is formed by a polymeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the tube is a urethane material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the gel-like material is a hydrophobic gel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the gel-like material is a silicon-based material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the gel-like material has a length of between about 1 millimeter and about 3 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pressure measurment device of claim 1 wherein the tube has an outside diameter of between about 0.5 millimeter and about 1.5 millimeters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 11 wherein the tube has an inside diameter of between about 0.3 millimeter and about 0.7 millimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the first end of the tube has a contoured tip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 and further comprising housing means for containing the pressure transducer means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 14 and further comprising: signal processing and telemetry circuitry located in the housing means and electrically connected to the pressure transducer means for providing telemetry signals based upon the signal which varies as a function of pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 14 and further comprising a strap surrounding the housing means and having a flap to which sutures may be connected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 wherein the tube has a cavity at its first end in which the gel-like material is positioned and which contains the liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 17 wherein a portion of the tube containing the cavity has a smaller wall thickness then other portions of the tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 and further comprising a mounting plate through which the first end of the tube extends.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 19 wherein the tube has an elbow proximate the mounting plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 1 and further comprising: a protective sleeve at least partially filled with gel-like material mounted on the first end of the tube and removable during implantation of the tube into a body of an animal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
136 words
A pressure measurement device for measuring a physiological pressure, the device comprising pressure transducer means for providing a signal which varies as a function of pressure; pressure transmitting catheter means for transmitting the physiological pressure to the pressure transducer means, the pressure transmitting catheter means including a hollow flexible tube having a distal end for placement at a position at which the physiological pressure is to be measured, a proximal end in communication with the pressure transducer means, a lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end, a cavity in the distal end in communication with the lumen, a plug positioned in the cavity, and a liquid which fills the lumen and a portion of the cavity and interfaces with the pressure transducer means for transmitting pressure from the plug to the pressure transducer means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
136 words
A pressure measurement device for measuring a physiological pressure, the device comprising pressure transducer means for providing a signal which varies as a function of pressure; pressure transmitting catheter means for transmitting the physiological pressure to the pressure transducer means, the pressure transmitting catheter means including a hollow flexible tube having a distal end for placement at a position at which the physiological pressure is to be measured, a proximal end in communication with the pressure transducer means, a lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end, a cavity in the distal end in communication with the lumen, a plug positioned in the cavity, and a liquid which fills the lumen and a portion of the cavity and interfaces with the pressure transducer means for transmitting pressure from the plug to the pressure transducer means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 22 wherein the liquid has a lower viscosity than the plug.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 22 wherein the plug is a gel-like material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 22 wherein the plug is movable with respect to the cavity to compensate for movement of the liquid contained in the lumen and the cavity without building up a pressure differential across the plug.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 22 wherein a portion of the tube containing the cavity has a smaller wall thickness than a portion of the tube containing the lumen.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 22 and further comprising a mounting plate through which the distal end of the tube extends.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 27 wherein the tube has an elbow proximate the mounting plate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The pressure measurement device of claim 22 and further comprising; a protective sleeve at least partially filled with material which forms the plug and removably mounted on the distal end of the tube.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of measuring a physiological pressure within a body of an animal, the method comprising: implanting within the body a pressure measurement device which includes a housing containing a pressure transducer and a transmitter implanted within the body, a pressure transmission catheter connected at a proximal end to the pressure transducer and having a distal end positioned to be exposed to the physiological pressure, the catheter having a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, having a plug of a first flowable material in its distal end and a liquid filling the lumen between the plug and the pressure transducer to transmit the physiological pressure from the plug to the pressure transducer; and monitoring a signal transmitted by the transmitter as a function of pressure sensed by the pressure transducer.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of measuring a physiological pressure within a body of an animal, the method comprising: implanting within the body a pressure measurement device which includes a housing containing a pressure transducer and a transmitter implanted within the body, a pressure transmission catheter connected at a proximal end to the pressure transducer and having a distal end positioned to be exposed to the physiological pressure, the catheter having a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, having a plug of a first flowable material in its distal end and a liquid filling the lumen between the plug and the pressure transducer to transmit the physiological pressure from the plug to the pressure transducer; and monitoring a signal transmitted by the transmitter as a function of pressure sensed by the pressure transducer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the first material is a gel-like material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the liquid has a lower viscosity than the first material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 30 and further comprising: attaching a mounting plate, which is connected to the catheter near its distal end, to a body member of the animal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30 and further comprising: providing a strap around the housing; and connecting a portion of the strap to the animal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the portion of the strap is a connecting flap and wherein the connecting is by sutures.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 30 and further comprising: soaking the catheter in a saline solution prior to implantng.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 30 and further comprising: providing a protective sleeve over the distal end of the catheter; and removing the protective sleeve before inserting the distal end into a position where it is exposed to the physiological pressure.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the plug is movable with respect to the distal end to compensate for movement of the liquid without building up a pressure differential across the plug.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the physiological pressure is blood presssure and the distal end is positioned in a blood vessel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the physiological pressure is intrapleural pressure and the distal end is positioned in a thoracic cavity.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the physiological pressure is intracranial pressure and the distal end is positioned in a subarachnoid space.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
157 words
A pressure measurement device for measuring a physiological pressure, the device comprising: pressure transducer means for providing a signal which varies as a function of pressure; pressure transmitting catheter means for transmitting the physiological pressure to the pressure transducer means, the pressure transmitting catheter means including a hollow flexible tube having a first end for placement at a position at which the physiological pressure is to be measured, a second end in communication with the pressure transducer means, a first material positioned in the tube at the first end, and a liquid which fills the tube and interfaces with the pressure transducer means for transmitting pressure from the first material to the pressure transducer means, wherein the first material is capable of flowing as a viscous fluid and exhibiting a resistance to dissolution, decomposition and mechanical removal from the first end of the tube when subjected to fluid and mechanical forces present when measuring the physiological pressure.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
157 words
A pressure measurement device for measuring a physiological pressure, the device comprising: pressure transducer means for providing a signal which varies as a function of pressure; pressure transmitting catheter means for transmitting the physiological pressure to the pressure transducer means, the pressure transmitting catheter means including a hollow flexible tube having a first end for placement at a position at which the physiological pressure is to be measured, a second end in communication with the pressure transducer means, a first material positioned in the tube at the first end, and a liquid which fills the tube and interfaces with the pressure transducer means for transmitting pressure from the first material to the pressure transducer means, wherein the first material is capable of flowing as a viscous fluid and exhibiting a resistance to dissolution, decomposition and mechanical removal from the first end of the tube when subjected to fluid and mechanical forces present when measuring the physiological pressure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |