Device for chronic measurement of internal body pressure

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.

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.

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.