Apparatus and methods for non-invasively measuring hemodynamic parameters
First Claim
1. Apparatus adapted for physiologic measurements on a living subject, comprising:
- an alignment member adapted for removable mating with the anatomy of said subject, said alignment member being configured to maintain an actuator-driven sensor element substantially in a desired orientation with respect to said anatomy;
a sensor element movably yet fixedly coupled to said alignment member; and
a removable support apparatus adapted to support at least a portion of said sensor element to permit the mating thereof to said actuator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises apparatus adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an alignment apparatus which is separable from an adjustable fixture. The alignment apparatus moveably captures the sensor to, inter alia, facilitate coupling thereof to an actuator used to position the sensor during measurements. The alignment apparatus also advantageously allows the sensor position to be maintained when the fixture is removed from the subject, such as during patient transport. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, correcting for hydrostatic pressure effects, and providing treatment to the subject are also disclosed.
150 Citations
52 Claims
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1. Apparatus adapted for physiologic measurements on a living subject, comprising:
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an alignment member adapted for removable mating with the anatomy of said subject, said alignment member being configured to maintain an actuator-driven sensor element substantially in a desired orientation with respect to said anatomy;
a sensor element movably yet fixedly coupled to said alignment member; and
a removable support apparatus adapted to support at least a portion of said sensor element to permit the mating thereof to said actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A hemodynamic sensor assembly, comprising:
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a sensor adapted to be removably coupled to an actuator; and
alignment apparatus adapted to align said sensor with a target location on the anatomy of a subject;
wherein said sensor is flexibly coupled to said alignment apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of operating an actuator-driven sensor, comprising:
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providing an alignment apparatus adapted to align said sensor relative to the anatomy of a living subject, said alignment apparatus having a removable sensor restraining portion;
disposing said alignment apparatus and sensor on the anatomy of said subject;
coupling an actuator to said sensor; and
removing said sensor restraining portion, thereby permitting said sensor to be moved by said actuator. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. Tonometric pressure sensor apparatus, comprising:
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a pressure sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal relating to the pressure applied to at least one surface thereof;
a housing element adapted to at least partly receive said sensor therein;
a bias element coupled to said housing and adapted to bias tissue of a subject proximate said at least one surface when said apparatus is disposed in contact therewith; and
apparatus adapted to permit movable coupling of said sensor apparatus to an external device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. Pressure sensor apparatus adapted for measurement of a pressure waveform from the blood vessel of a living subject, comprising:
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a tonometric pressure sensor adapted to generate an electrical signal relating to the pressure applied to at least one surface thereof;
a housing element adapted to at least partly receive said sensor therein; and
a coupling element adapted to couple said sensor apparatus to an actuator;
wherein said apparatus is further adapted to be retained in a desired position above said blood vessel when uncoupled from said actuator using an external alignment apparatus.
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- 32. Apparatus adapted for movably yet fixedly coupling a physiologic sensor to another object, comprising at least one substantially flexible arm, said at least one arm allowing said sensor to move in relation to said object in multiple degrees of freedom.
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40. Support apparatus for an actuator-driven pressure sensor, comprising;
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a first element adapted to communicate with at least a portion of said sensor and provide support therefore during coupling to said actuator; and
a second element movably coupled to said first element, said second element adapted for grasping by an operator;
wherein said second element, upon retraction thereof by said operator, is further adapted to engage said first element and retract it from said sensor after some distance of travel by said second element. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. Apparatus adapted for movably yet fixedly coupling a means for sensing to another object, comprising at least one substantially flexible means for coupling, said at least one means for coupling allowing said means for sensing to move in relation to said object in at least multiple translation degrees of freedom.
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47. A method of disposing a quantity of a substance relative to a desired location on the anatomy of a living subject, comprising:
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disposing first and second apparatus relative to said location, said first apparatus containing said quantity of substance;
removing said first apparatus from said second apparatus so as to leave said second apparatus substantially in place on said anatomy, said act of removing comprising releasing said quantity proximate to said location. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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50. Alignment and support apparatus for use with a blood pressure monitoring system, comprising:
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an alignment frame adapted to fit onto the anatomy of a living subject proximate a radial artery thereof;
a sensor assembly adapted to measure pressure from said radial artery;
a coupling mechanism adapted to flexibly couple said sensor assembly to said alignment frame; and
a sensor support element having at least one latch mechanism, said support element being adapted to cooperate with said frame to support said sensor assembly, and to be completely separated from said sensor assembly and frame when removed therefrom, said removal being accomplished by at least actuating said at least one latch mechanism.
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51. A method of assembling a physiologic measurement apparatus, comprising:
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providing a physiologic measurement apparatus having a plurality of unassembled components;
visually coding corresponding at least portions of first and second groups of said components so as to indicate a physical relationship between respective ones of components within said first and second groups;
disposing at least a portion of said components from said first group on the anatomy of a living subject; and
subsequently disposing at least a portion of said components from said second group onto said anatomy;
wherein said act of subsequently disposing comprises disposing said at least portion of second components relative to corresponding ones of said at least portion of said first group based at least in part on said visual coding. - View Dependent Claims (52)
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Specification