Extravasation detection system and apparatus

A system for microwave detection of extravasation of liquid from a blood vessel of a patient into which the liquid is injected, the system including microwave antenna means for receiving microwave emission signals from the patient and processing means connected with the antenna means for responding to changes in said signals representative of extravasation, the antenna means including a reusable antenna element connected to said processing means, a disposable attachment element for adhering to a patient's skin over an injection site, and interfitting male and female coupling means on the attachment element and the antenna element respectively for releasably securing the antenna element on the attachment element in intimate contact with the patient's skin, wherein the reusable antenna element comprises a conductive outer housing, a conductive launching probe within said housing and a dielectric material within said housing separating the launching probe from the housing, further wherein said female element comprises a recess in the dielectric material and the male element comprises a button of like dielectric material on the attachment element to fit in said recess.

A system for microwave detection of extravasation of liquid from a blood vessel of a patient into which the liquid is injected, the system including microwave antenna means for receiving microwave emission signals form the patient and processing means connected with the antenna means for responding to changes in said signals representative of extravasation, the antenna means including a reusable antenna element connected to said processing means, a disposable attachment element for adhering to a patient's skin over an injection site, and interfitting male and female coupling means on the attachment element and the antenna element respectively for releasably securing the antenna element on the attachment element in intimate contact with the patient's skin, wherein the processing means includes a radiometer connected to the antenna element by a coaxial cable having an inner conductor connected to the launching probe and an outer conductor connected to the housing.

A reusable microwave antenna element for receiving microwave radiation from a body of a patient during injection of liquid into a blood vessel, by attachment of the antenna element in intimate contact with skin of the patient, comprising an outer cup-like conductive housing with a rim for securing in intimate contact with the skin, a conductive launching probe leading into said housing, a dielectric material filling the housing and separating the launching probe from the housing, and a recess in the dielectric material for receiving part of a button of like dielectric material on an attachment element used for securing the antenna element to the patient's skin.

A disposable attachment element for securing a microwave antenna element to skin of a patient to receive microwave radiation from the patient during injection of liquid into a blood vessel, the element comprising a flexible carrier sheet having an adhesive undersurface, a button of dielectric material on an upper surface of the sheet, and the sheet having an adhesive upper surface portion surrounding the button to receive a peripheral portion of a microwave antenna element coupled to the attachment element with the button received in a corresponding recess of the antenna element.

A disposable attachment element for securing a microwave antenna element to skin of a patient to receive microwave radiation from the patient during injection of liquid int a blood vessel, the element comprising a flexible carrier sheet having an adhesive undersurface, a button of dielectric material on an upper surface of the sheet, and the sheet having an adhesive upper surface portion surrounding the button to receive a peripheral portion of a microwave antenna element coupled to the attachment element with the button receive in a corresponding recess of the antenna element, wherein the button has a stepped configuration with a larger base portion and smaller upper portion.

A method of monitoring electromagnetic microwave emission from a patient during injection of liquid into a blood vessel to detect extravasation of the liquid comprising providing an electromagnetic microwave detection system including microwave antenna means having a reusable microwave antenna element connected with processing means for responding to changes of microwave emission from the patient representative of extravasation, and a disposable attachment element for securing the antenna element to the patient's skin by means of male and female coupling elements on the attachment element and the antenna element respectively, adhesively securing the attachment element to the patient's skin over an injection site, coupling the antenna element to the attachment element to form the antenna means, using the antenna means to monitor for extravasation during injection of the liquid, uncoupling the antenna element from the attachment element after injection for reuse of the antenna element, and removing the attachment element from the patient's skin for disposal.