Surgical drain with sensors for monitoring internal tissue condition by transmittance

• US 20040254431A1
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photosonics Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: University of Southern California
• Inventors: Necola Shehada, Ramez Emile
• Granted Patent: US 7,322,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/327
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/228 Sensors with optical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/918 for multiple suction locations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/95 with sensors for exudate composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

The present invention is directed to devices and methods of using a surgical drain, and more particularly to a surgical drain having at least one sensor for monitoring and/or recording the condition of the anatomical site or fluid emitted from the site where the surgical drain is placed. The invention may also include modifications of the surgical drain to improve stabilization or immobilization in the proximity of the anatomical site to be monitored.

Claims

1. A surgical drain comprising:

an elongated conduit configured to be implanted in and to drain fluid from a body cavity, the elongated circuit including a first surface and a second surface;

a first optical fiber having a first optical fiber distal end configured for insertion in tissue proximate to the first surface and configured to deliver energy to the tissue; and

a second optical fiber having a second optical fiber distal end configured to receive energy from tissue proximate to the first surface.

2. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the first optical fiber distal end has an axis that is substantially parallel to the second fiberoptic distal end.

3. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the second optical fiber distal end is configured for insertion in the tissue.

4. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the elongated conduit further comprises at least one housing extending from the conduit, wherein the housing supports the first optical fiber distal end for insertion into the tissue.

5. The surgical drain of claim 1, comprising a sensing system configured to sense a different physiological property of the tissue.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological property is selected from the group comprising:

oxygenation, perfusion, temperature, pH, NADH levels, biochemical composition, drug concentration, turgidity or pressure.

7. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the conduit includes a drain portion configured to rest against a substantial length of tissue within the body cavity and a plurality of drain holes spaced along substantially the entire length of the drain portion.

8. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein at least the second optical fiber distal tip is embedded within the conduit behind material that is optically transparent.

9. The surgical drain of claim 1, further comprising a display configured to depict information corresponding to the energy received by the second optical fiber distal end.

10. The surgical drain of claim 1, further comprising:

a third optical fiber having a third optical fiber distal end configured for insertion in tissue proximate to the second surface and configured to deliver energy to the tissue; and

a fourth optical fiber having a fourth optical fiber distal end configured to receive energy emitted from the third optical fiber distal end.

11. The system of claim 1, further including a processing system in communication with the second and fourth optical fibers configured to compare a difference between the energy received by the second and fourth fibers.

12. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the first sensing system includes a component that is affixed to the conduit.

13. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the component is embedded in the conduit.

14. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the component includes a sensor.

15. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the component includes an optical fiber.