Apparatus and method for monitoring gastric fluid pH

A device for monitoring the pH value of the gastric contents of a patient which comprises:

• a sensor assembly formed with a cleansing cavity, at least one calibration cavity, and a monitoring cavity;
• a suction means for aspirating gastric contents from the patient into said monitoring cavity;
• an extracorporeal sensor mounted on said sensor assembly for generating a signal indicative of the pH value of the aspirated gastric contents;
• a disk mounted for rotation on said sensor assembly with said sensor being attached to said disk for rotation therewith;
• means for selectively rotating said disk to position said sensor in contact with one of said cleansing cavity, said calibration cavity or said monitoring cavity;
• and
• electronic means connected to said sensor for evaluating said signal to ascertain the pH value of the aspirated gastric contents.

A sensor assembly for use in a system for monitoring the pH value of the gastric contents of a patient which comprises:

• a base member formed with a cleansing cavity, a calibration cavity, and a sample cavity;
• a sensor movably mounted on said base member, said sensor being capable of generating a signal indicative of the pH value of a sample fluid in contact with said sensor;
• means connected to said sensor for monitoring said signal to ascertain said pH value of said sample fluid;
• and
• means for selectively positioning said sensor in contact with one of said cleansing cavity to cleanse said sensor, said calibration cavity to calibrate said sensor, or said sample cavity to monitor said signal.

A method for monitoring the pH value of the gastric contents of a patient which comprises the steps of:

• providing an extracorporeal pH testing device, said extracorporeal device having a suction means for aspirating the gastric contents, a cavity containing cleansing fluid, a cavity containing calibration fluid, a sensor for generating a signal indicative of the pH value of the aspirated gastric contents, and an electronic means connected to said sensor for evaluating said signal to ascertain the pH value of the aspirated gastric contents;
• inserting a nasogastric tube into the stomach of the patient;
• connecting said nasogastric tube in fluid communication with a said suction means mounted on said an extracorporeal device to aspirate a stream of gastric contents from the patient;
• selectively exposing said sensor to said cavity containing said cleansing fluid to clean said sensor;
• selectively exposing said sensor to said cavity containing said calibration fluid to calibrate said sensor;
• and
• selectively exposing said sensor to the aspirated gastric contents to generate said signal.