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US 2014/0275839 A1Published application
Devices and Methods for Tissue Immobilization and Non-Invasive Lower Urinary Tract Analysis
AssigneeBioFluid Technology, Inc.
InventorsReuben E. Kron, Stephen J. Kron
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are devices and methods suitable for immobilizing tissue and for use in non-invasive methods of assessing lower urinary tract symptoms as well as in surgical application.
Claims40
A component, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber having an entry opening configured to engage with a subject's anatomy proximate to the subject's urethra,
- the vacuum chamber having a port configured to engage with a vacuum source;
- a urethral engagement conduit extending into the vacuum chamber,
- the urethral engagement conduit having a proximal opening configured to engage a subject's anatomy proximate to the subject's urethra,
- the entry opening of the vacuum chamber and the proximal opening of the urethral engagement conduit defining a gap therebetween,
- the gap being configured so as to enable passage of the subject's anatomy proximate to the urethra through the gap and into the vacuum chamber upon application of sufficient vacuum,
- the component being configured to give rise to a leak-proof mechanical seal under vacuum between the proximal opening and the anatomy proximate to a urethra upon application of sufficient vacuum;
- and
- the component further comprising a receptacle in fluid communication with the urethral engagement conduit, the receptacle further comprising a receptacle aperture.
6 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a receptacle,
- a component configured to effect mechanical, leak-proof fluid communication between a subject's urethra and the receptacle so as to give rise to a flow circuit;
- the component comprising a vacuum chamber having an entry opening adapted to engage with a subject's anatomy proximate to the subject's urethra,
- the system being configured to, under application of sufficient vacuum to the vacuum chamber, effect fluid communication between the subject's urethra and the receptacle;
- and
- a sensor configured to measure a pressure within the receptacle.
3 more elements
A method, comprising:
- applying sufficient vacuum to a vacuum chamber so as to effect passage of a subject's anatomy into the vacuum chamber through a gap between an opening in the vacuum chamber and an opening of a urethral engagement conduit,
- the vacuum being applied so as to effect leak-tight fluid communication between the subject's urethra and a receptacle;
- and
- measuring, as a function of time during urine excretion, a pressure within the receptacle.
1 more element
A component, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber,
- the vacuum chamber comprising a tap adapted for application of vacuum, and
- the vacuum chamber defining at least one opening formed therein, the at least one opening being adapted to, upon application of sufficient vacuum, securably engage with tissue.
A method, comprising:
- contacting a vacuum chamber comprising at least one tissue engagement aperture to a body tissue;
- and
- applying sufficient vacuum to the vacuum chamber so as to draw at least some of the body tissue into the vacuum chamber and so as to physically stabilize at least part of the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.