Apparatuses and methods for extravasation detection

• US 20020040193A1
• Filed: 12/05/2001
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Medrad Incorporated (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Hirschman, Alan D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,459,931 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4869 Determining body composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16836 by sensing tissue properties at the infusion site, e.g. for detecting infiltration detecting tissue temperature for diagnostic purposes A61M39/0247

Abstract

An apparatus for the detection of extravasation is positioned in a manner so that the vicinity of a site is available for palpation and is visible for visual inspection. Another embodiment of the apparatus improves the sensitivity of detection by positioning an energy source and a receiver between a first layer of a high dielectric material and a second lay of a low dielectric material. The apparatus may further include a third layer of a conductive material to shield the apparatus from stray capacitance. In addition, a system for detection of extravasation includes an array of sensors located at, adjacent to and/or remote from an injection site.

Claims

1. A system for the detection of extravasation in an injection procedure, the system comprising:

a first sensor positioned to detect extravasation in the vicinity of an injection site; and

at least a second sensor positioned to detect extravasation at a site other than in the vicinity the injection site.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first sensor comprises at least a first energy source to supply energy to tissue in the vicinity of an injection site, and at least a first receiver to measure a signal resulting from the energy supplied to the tissue by the first energy source, the first energy source and the first receiver being positioned in a manner so that the vicinity of the injection site is available for palpation and visible for visual inspection.

3. A method for detecting extravasation in an injection procedure, the method comprising:

positioning at least a first sensor adapted to detect extravasation at a position other than in the vicinity of an injection site along a path of potential extravasation.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of positioning a second sensor adapted to detect extravasation in the vicinity of the injection site.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second sensor comprises at least a first energy source to supply energy to tissue in the vicinity of an injection site, and at least a first receiver to measure a signal resulting from the energy supplied to the tissue by the first energy source, the first energy source and the first receiver being positioned in a manner so that the vicinity of the injection site is available for palpation and visible for visual inspection.

6. An apparatus for the detection of extravasation in an injection procedure, the apparatus comprising:

a first layer of a material having a high dielectric constant;

a second layer of a material having a low dielectric constant;

at least one energy source to supply energy to tissue in the vicinity of a site; and

at least one receiver to measure a resulting signal, the energy source and the receiver being positioned between the first layer and the second layer, the second layer being positioned outside of the first layer relative to the tissue.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a third layer of a conductive material operable to shield the apparatus from stray capacitance, the third layer being positioned outside of the second layer relative to the tissue.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a layer of a hydrogel material positioned between the first layer and the tissue to improve electrical coupling with tissue.