Apparatus and method for leak detection in a fluid-filled balloon useful to treat body tissue
AssigneeGynecare, Inc.
InventorVahid Saadat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid-filled device used to treat a patient's tissue includes an catheter having an expandable device defining a fluid reservoir about the distal end of the catheter. An internal electrode is in electrical contact with a conductive fluid within the fluid reservoir. A grounding electrode is outside of the fluid reservoir, in electrical contact with the patient's tissue. Voltage is supplied to the internal electrode and the grounding electrode. Where a leak occurs in the expandable device, conductive fluid will contact the patient's tissue, thus creating an electrical current path between the internal electrode and the grounding electrode. This so-called "leak current" is used to generate a leak alarm signal.
Claims19
An apparatus for detecting fluid leaks in a liquid-filled expandable device used to treat body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- an expandable device defining a liquid reservoir therein for holding a conductive liquid;
- a supply conduit in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir for delivering the conductive liquid into the liquid reservoir;
- a first, internal electrode lead in electrical contact with the liquid reservoir;
- a second, grounding electrode lead positioned outside the expandable device;
- a power supply for generating a voltage between the first electrode and the grounding electrode;
- and
- a detector for detecting variations in the electrical current passing between the first internal electrode and the second grounding electrode.
A method of detecting leaks in a liquid-filled bladder during a medical procedure in which the liquid-filled bladder is used to treat a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a bladder, said bladder being generally capable of holding liquid;
- (b) filling the bladder with a generally conductive liquid;
- (c) placing the bladder in contact with a patient's body tissue;
- (d) providing a first internal electrode positioned in electrical contact with the conductive liquid in the bladder;
- (e) providing a second, grounding electrode, said grounding electrode positioned outside of the bladder;
- (f) providing a voltage potential between the internal electrode and the grounding electrode;
- and
- (g) detecting variations in the electrical current passing between the first, internal electrode and the second, grounding electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.