US6033366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pressure measurement device
Assignee: Data Sciences International Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-14
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Granted: 2000-03-07
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Expires: 2017-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A device measures pressures in animals and humans and includes a pressure transmission catheter (PTC) filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area in having a physiological pressure. A transducer conmmunicates with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on electrical wires. A connecting catheter carries the electrical wires to signal processing and telemetry circuitry, which transmits a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal to a receiver external to the animal or human. A housing holds the signal processing and telemetry circuitry, but the transducer is remote from the housing. The device is particularly useful in measuring venous pressure, pulmonary pressure, bladder pressure, or intracranial pressure without significant head pressure artifact and with a sufficient dynamic response. One embodiment of the PTC includes a multi-durometer stem.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian P. Brockway
- 👤 Perry Alton Mills
- 👤 Mel Murray Moench
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/0215; A61B5/03; A61B5/031; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M2025/0001; A61M2025/0003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area having a physiological pressure; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing and telemetry circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to receive the pressure signal and provide a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing and telemetry circuitry, wherein the transducer is remote from the housing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area having a physiological pressure; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing and telemetry circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to receive the pressure signal and provide a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing and telemetry circuitry, wherein the transducer is remote from the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure transmission catheter includes: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium; a inner layer material surrounding the lumen; and an outer layer material surrounding the inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material has a different hardness than the inner layer material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inner layer material is harder then the outer layer material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and having a distal tip for placement in an area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium at the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal; and wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns in applications for measuring physiological pressures where, if a length of the pressure transmission catheter was the combined length of the pressure transmission catheter and the connecting catheter, there would be a significant head pressure artifact and/or an insufficient dynamic response.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and having a distal tip for placement in an area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium at the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal; and wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns in applications for measuring physiological pressures where, if a length of the pressure transmission catheter was the combined length of the pressure transmission catheter and the connecting catheter, there would be a significant head pressure artifact and/or an insufficient dynamic response.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pressure transmission catheter includes: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium; a inner layer material surrounding the lumen; and an outer layer material surrounding the inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material has a different hardness than the inner layer material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the inner layer material is harder then the outer layer material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and having a distal tip for placement in an area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end, wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium at the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing circuitry, wherein the transducer is remote from the housing.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and having a distal tip for placement in an area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end, wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium at the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing circuitry, wherein the transducer is remote from the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pressure transmission catheter includes: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium; a inner layer material surrounding the lumen; and an outer layer material surrounding the inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material has a different hardness than the inner layer material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inner layer material is harder then the outer layer material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
A pressure transmitting catheter implantable in an area having a physiological pressure, the pressure transmitting catheter comprising: a lumen filled with a pressure transmitting medium; a first layer material surrounding the lumen; and at least one additional layer of material surrounding the first layer material, wherein the at least one additional layer of material has at least one material with a different hardness than the first layer material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A pressure transmitting catheter implantable in an area having a physiological pressure, the pressure transmitting catheter comprising: a lumen filled with a pressure transmitting medium; a first layer material surrounding the lumen; and at least one additional layer of material surrounding the first layer material, wherein the at least one additional layer of material has at least one material with a different hardness than the first layer material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10 wherein the first layer material is harder than at least one material of the at least one additional layer of material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein a transition between the first layer material and the at least one additional layer of material is a sharp transition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein a transition between the first layer material and the at least one additional layer of material is a gradient transition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein the harder one of the first and at least one additional layer materials essentially determines the frequency response of the pressure transmitting catheter and the softer one of the first and at least one additional layer materials makes the pressure transmitting catheter more flexible and kink resistant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein the first layer material comprises 72 D urethane and the at least one additional layer material comprises 80 A urethane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein an outer diameter of the pressure transmitting catheter is in a range from approximately 0.014 to approximately 0.022 inches, the inner diameter of the lumen in less than approximately 0.008 inches, and the combined thickness of the first layer material and at least one additional layer of material is less than approximately 0.005 inches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 16, wherein the thickness of the first material is less than approximately 0.002 inches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein the first layer material comprises a radiopaque material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 18, wherein the first layer material comprises an approximately 20-30% barium filled urethane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 18, wherein the at least one additional layer of material comprises non-thrombogenic material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pressure transmitting catheter of claim 10, wherein the at least one additional layer comprises one layer of material with a hardness different from the hardness of the first layer.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter implantable in an area having a physiological pressure and including: a lumen filled with a pressure transmitting medium, a inner layer material surrounding the lumen, and an outer layer material surrounding the inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material has a different hardness than the inner layer material; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing circuitry, wherein the transducer is remote from the housing.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter implantable in an area having a physiological pressure and including: a lumen filled with a pressure transmitting medium, a inner layer material surrounding the lumen, and an outer layer material surrounding the inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material has a different hardness than the inner layer material; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing circuitry, wherein the transducer is remote from the housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the inner layer material is harder then the outer layer material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the pressure transmission catheter has a distal tip for placement in the area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end coupled to the transducer, and wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled entirely with a pressure transmitting gel and implantable in an area having a physiological pressure; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting gel to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing and telemetry circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to receive the pressure signal and provide a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing and telemetry circuitry and the transducer.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled entirely with a pressure transmitting gel and implantable in an area having a physiological pressure; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting gel to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; signal processing and telemetry circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to receive the pressure signal and provide a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal; and a housing holding the signal processing and telemetry circuitry and the transducer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the pressure transmission catheter includes: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting gel; a inner layer material surrounding the lumen; and an outer layer material surrounding the inner layer material, wherein the outer layer material has a different hardness than the inner layer material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the inner layer material is harder then the outer layer material.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area having a physiological pressure, the pressure transmission catheter including: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium, a first layer of a first material surrounding the lumen, and at least one additional layer that includes at least one material that is different from the first material, the at least one additional layer surrounding the first layer, wherein the first material has a different hardness than at least one material in the at least one additional layer; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; and signal processing and telemetry circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to receive the pressure signal and provide a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area having a physiological pressure, the pressure transmission catheter including: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium, a first layer of a first material surrounding the lumen, and at least one additional layer that includes at least one material that is different from the first material, the at least one additional layer surrounding the first layer, wherein the first material has a different hardness than at least one material in the at least one additional layer; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; and signal processing and telemetry circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to receive the pressure signal and provide a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the pressure transmitting medium comprises a gel.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the pressure transmitting medium comprises a gel and a low-viscosity liquid.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the pressure transmitting medium comprises a slidable plug and a low-viscosity liquid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first layer material is harder than at least one material in the at least one additional layer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one additional layer comprises one layer of a material that is harder than the material of the first layer.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and having a distal tip for placement in an area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end, wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns; the pressure transmission catheter including: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium, a first layer of a first material surrounding the lumen, and at least one additional layer that includes at least one material that is different from the first material, the at least one additional layer surrounding the first layer, wherein the first material has a different hardness than at least one material in the at least one additional layer; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium at the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; and signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for measuring physiological pressure comprising: a pressure transmission catheter filled with a pressure transmitting medium and having a distal tip for placement in an area having a physiological pressure and a proximal end, wherein a distance between the distal tip and the proximal end is sufficiently short to avoid significant head pressure artifact and provide sufficient dynamic response yet sufficiently long to accommodate surgical limitations and tolerance concerns; the pressure transmission catheter including: a lumen filled with the pressure transmitting medium, a first layer of a first material surrounding the lumen, and at least one additional layer that includes at least one material that is different from the first material, the at least one additional layer surrounding the first layer, wherein the first material has a different hardness than at least one material in the at least one additional layer; a connecting catheter carrying electrical wires; a transducer coupled to the electrical wires and in communication with the pressure transmitting medium at the proximal end of the pressure transmission catheter to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on the electrical wires; and signal processing circuitry coupled to the electrical wires to process the pressure signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the pressure transmitting medium comprises a gel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the pressure transmitting medium comprises a gel and a low-viscosity liquid.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the pressure transmitting medium comprises a slidable plug and a low-viscosity liquid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first layer material is harder than at least one material in the at least one additional layer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one additional layer comprises one layer of a material that is harder than the material of the first layer.
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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) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |