Monitoring fluid flow in the gastrointestinal tract
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring reflux flow of fluid from a stomach of a patient into an esophagus of the patient comprising:
- receiving a signal from a flow sensor, wherein the sensor is included as part of a medical monitor located within the esophagus that includes a housing, and the sensor outputs the signal as a function of at least one of velocity and rate of fluid flow within the esophagus outside of the housing;
determining a direction of the fluid flow within the esophagus based on the signal; and
monitoring the reflux flow of fluid from the stomach into the esophagus based on the signal and the direction of the fluid flow.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor capable of sensing the flow of fluids is placed in the gastrointestinal tract. The sensor may be, for example, an ultrasonic flow sensor, an optical flow sensor, or a thermal convection flow sensor. A system for monitoring fluid flow in the gastrointestinal tract may include monitor configured for placement in the gastrointestinal tract that includes such a sensor. The monitor measures the flow of fluid in the gastrointestinal tract based on the output of the senor. The monitor may take the form of a capsule with a means or mechanism for attachment to a mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is placed in the esophagus, senses the flow of fluid from the stomach into the esophagus, and is used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring reflux flow of fluid from a stomach of a patient into an esophagus of the patient comprising:
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receiving a signal from a flow sensor, wherein the sensor is included as part of a medical monitor located within the esophagus that includes a housing, and the sensor outputs the signal as a function of at least one of velocity and rate of fluid flow within the esophagus outside of the housing;
determining a direction of the fluid flow within the esophagus based on the signal; and
monitoring the reflux flow of fluid from the stomach into the esophagus based on the signal and the direction of the fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A medical monitor comprising:
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a housing;
a flow sensor to output a signal as a function of at least one of velocity and rate of fluid flow outside of the housing; and
a processor to determine a direction of the fluid flow based on the signal, and monitor reflux flow of fluid from a stomach to an esophagus based on the direction of the fluid flow and the signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A medical monitor comprising:
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a housing;
an attachment mechanism to attach the housing to a mucosal lining of a gastrointestinal tract; and
a flow sensor to sense fluid flow outside of the housing within the gastrointestinal tract. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A medical monitor comprising:
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means for housing components of the medical monitor;
means for attaching the housing means to a mucosal lining of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient; and
means for monitoring fluid flow outside of the housing within the gastrointestinal tract. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. A system comprising:
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a monitor that includes a housing, an attachment mechanism to attach the housing to a mucosal lining of a gastrointestinal tract, and a flow sensor to sense fluid flow within the gastrointestinal tract outside of the housing; and
a receiver to receive fluid flow measurement information from the monitor. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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48. A method for monitoring fluid flow within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient using a monitor that comprises a housing and a flow sensor, the method comprising:
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guiding the monitor to an attachment site within the gastrointestinal tract;
attaching the monitor to a mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract at the attachment site; and
monitoring fluid flow within the gastrointestinal tract based on a signal output by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification