Protective matrix for intracorporeal biosensors that improves gastrointestinal leak detection, detects air leaks after lung surgery, and measures cardiac output after heart surgery
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorDaniel T. DeArmond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The system and method may measure and monitor physiological changes in a body. In some embodiments, the system and method may measure the impedance at a site in the body. In some embodiments, the system and method identify, quantify, and localize leaks from a site following surgery, measure cardiac contractility, or lung compliance. In an embodiment, the system includes a measuring device with one or more sensors embedded in a porous matrix. Changes in the electrical properties of one or more sensors may be used to determine the presence of leaks from a site following surgery, measure cardiac contractility, or lung compliance, depending on the position of the device.
Claims12
A physiological change monitoring system comprising:
- a saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is configured to be positionable in an opening in a body during use, and wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix comprises a saline solution absorbed within a porous polymeric foam matrix;
- a plurality of electrodes disposed in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix;
- a resistance measuring device coupled to the electrodes, wherein the resistance measuring device determines a change in the resistance between at least two of the electrodes
- a container, the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix being positioned in the container;
- and
- a balloon positioned in the container, wherein inflation of the balloon compresses the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix.
A method of monitoring physiological changes in a body comprising:
- inserting a monitoring device in an opening of the body, wherein the monitoring device comprises:
- a saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is configured to be positionable in an opening in a body during use, and wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix comprises a saline solution absorbed within a porous polymeric foam matrix;
- a plurality of electrodes disposed in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix;
- and
- a resistance measuring device coupled to the electrodes, wherein the resistance measuring device determines a change in the resistance between at least two of the electrodes;
- adjusting the baseline resistance between at least two of the electrodes by altering the amount of saline in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix by removing saline from the foam using a suction catheter;
- and
- monitoring the resistance between two or more of the electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.