System with a sensor for perfusion management

• US 20050234440A1
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/827,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008

Abstract

A system for perfusion management that monitors, maintains, diagnoses, or treats perfusion deficiencies.

Claims

1. A device for perfusion management, comprising:

a body portion;

at least one extensible finger coupled to said body portion;

control circuitry coupled to said extensible finger or said body portion; and

at least one sensor coupled to said extensible finger.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a pump, or a source of pressure coupled to said body portion or said at least one extensible finger.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor, or an actuator coupled to said at least one extensible finger.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an operative tool carried by at least one extensible finger.

5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising a tool positioner carried by at least one extensible finger.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein said operative tool comprises a device for ablating, degrading, or liquefying a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of biological materials exhibiting shear strength.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein said control circuitry is operative to guide said operative tool.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a source of an electric charge or an electromagnetic radiation coupled to said extensible finger in proximity to a location.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a device for removing a cell, a tissue, a fluid, a gel, a colloid, an emulsion, a sample, a contaminant, a debris, or a biological material coupled to said at least one extensible finger.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one extensible finger includes a plurality of extending parts.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one plurality of extending parts is hollow.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said extensible finger is coupled to a device for fully or partially blocking or shunting a liquid flow.

13. The device according to claim 1, comprising a siphon, a vacuum, or an evacuation device coupled to said extensible finger.

14. The device according to claim 1, comprising a source of an electric charge or electromagnetic radiation coupled to said extensible finger.

15. The device according to claim 1, comprising a device to cauterize or seal a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of biological materials exhibiting shear strength coupled to said extensible finger.

16. The device according to claim 1, comprising a stent coupled to said extensible finger.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said extensible finger is coated with a polymer or a biocompatible material.

18. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid dispenser operative to provide a fluid at a controlled rate.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein said fluid dispenser is carried by said at least one extensible finger.

20. The device according to claim 1, comprising a receptacle operative for storing a receivable.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein said receptacle is carried by or coupled to said extensible finger.

22. The device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein said receptacle is coupled to said control circuitry.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one extensible finger is coupled to a source of a chemical, a chemical compound, a protein, a lipoprotein, a glycoprotein, a sugar, a lipid, an antigen, an antibody, a cytokine, a peptide, a neurotransmitter, a hormone, an ion, a messenger molecule, a nucleic acid, an engineered nucleic acid, a nucleic acid vector, a drug, a cell, a cell fragment, a cell organelle, a liposome, a pharmaceutical agent, a biological material, or a biological fraction internal or external to said device.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one extensible finger is coupled to a source of two or more of a chemical, a chemical compound, a protein, a lipoprotein, a glycoprotein, a sugar, a lipid, an antigen, an antibody, a cytokine, a peptide, a neurotransmitter, a hormone, an ion, a messenger molecule, a nucleic acid, an engineered nucleic acid, a nucleic acid vector, a drug, a cell, a cell fragment, a cell organelle, a liposome, a pharmaceutical agent, a biological material, or a biological fraction internal or external to said device.

25. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a data transmitter, coupled to said sensor or said control circuit.

26. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a data receiver coupled to said sensor or said control circuit.

27. The device according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said device communicates exterior to said animal.

28. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is configured for monitoring or controlling by a person external to said animal.

29. The device for perfusion management according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative to provide a treatment or to monitor a response in said animal.

30. The device for perfusion management according to claim 29, wherein said treatment comprises delivering a medicinal agent, a pharmaceutical agent, a therapeutic device or assembly to a location in said animal.

31. The device for perfusion management according to claim 1, wherein said control circuitry comprises a processor, a feedback circuit, or a logic circuit.

32. The device for perfusion management according to claim 1, wherein said control circuitry is a processor further comprising a stored software or firmware program cooperative with said processor.

33. The device according to claim 1, wherein said control circuitry guides or moves said at least one extensible finger.

34. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an imager, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a chemical sensor, a gas sensor, an electrolyte sensor, a composition sensor, a concentration sensor, or a flow sensor.

35. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is of a size, composition, power dissipation level, or shape configured for full or partial placement in vivo.

36. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is coupled wirelessly for monitoring or controlling.

37. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device configured for implantation in said animal is of a dimension, a composition, a power dissipation level, or a shape appropriate for implantation in a selected location.

38. The device for perfusion management according to claim 37, wherein said selected location is in a circulatory system, an aorta, or a vena cava.

39. A method for fabricating a perfusion management device, comprising:

forming an elongating member for placement in proximity to a target location within an animal;

coupling a signal detector for tracking a signal from said target location within said animal; and

providing a positioning system communicating with said elongating member or said signal detector, said positioning system including logic or software configured for moving said elongating member to a second location cooperative with said signal from said target location.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of coating said elongating member with a polymer or a biocompatible material.

41. The method according to claim 39, further comprising coupling a cavity to said elongating member for storing a receivable.

42. The method according to claim 41, comprising the step of coupling said cavity to a mixing cavity.

43. The method according to claim 41 or 42, including coupling a source of a chemical, a chemical compound, a protein, a lipoprotein, a glycoprotein, a sugar, a lipid, an antigen, an antibody, a cytokine, a peptide, a neurotransmitter, a hormone, an ion, a messenger a molecule, a nucleic acid, an engineered nucleic acid, a nucleic acid vector, a drug, a cell, a cell fragment, a cell organelle, a liposome, a pharmaceutical agent, a biological material, or a biological fraction internal or external to said cavity.

44. The method according to claim 41 or 42, including coupling a source of two or more of a chemical, a chemical compound, a protein, a lipoprotein, a glycoprotein, a sugar, a lipid, an antigen, an antibody, a cytokine, a peptide, a neurotransmitter, a hormone, an ion, a messenger a molecule, a nucleic acid, an engineered nucleic acid, a nucleic acid vector, a drug, a cell, a cell fragment, a cell organelle, a liposome, a pharmaceutical agent, a biological material, or a biological fraction internal or external to said cavity.

45. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of coupling a device for partially blocking or shunting a liquid flow to said device.

46. The method according to claim 39, wherein a fluid dispenser is carried by said elongating member, said fluid dispenser including a fluid controller operative to provide a fluid at a controlled rate.

47. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of coupling a motor or an actuator to said elongating member.

48. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of coupling a source of an electric charge or an electromagnetic radiation to said elongating member.

49. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of configuring said device to be monitored or controlled by a person.

50. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of configuring said device for implantation in said predetermined location in said animal.

51. The method according to claim 39, including coupling a device for data gathering, processing, storage or transmission to positioning system.

52. The method according to claim 39, wherein said positioning system communicates wirelessly.

53. The method according to claim 39, wherein said positioning system is operative for guiding or moving said elongating member.

54. The method according to claim 39, wherein said positioning system comprises a processor, a feedback circuit, or a logic circuit.

55. The method according to claim 39, wherein said positioning system is a processor further comprising a stored software program cooperative with said processor.

56. The method according to claim 39, wherein said elongating member is formed from a plurality of flexible parts.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein said plurality of flexible parts are hollow.

58. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of coupling an operative tool to said elongating member.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein said operative tool comprises, a device for ablating, or a device for degrading a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of cells exhibiting shear strength.

60. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of coupling a vacuum, a siphon, or an evacuation device to said elongating member.

61. The method according to claim 39, comprising coupling a device for cauterizing or sealing a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of cells exhibiting shear strength to said elongating member.

62. The method according to claim 39, comprising the step of coupling a stent to said elongating member.

63. The method according to claim 39, wherein said signal detector includes an imager, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a chemical sensor, a gas sensor, an electrolyte sensor, a sensor of composition, a sensor of concentration, or a flow sensor coupled to said elongating member.

64. The method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of configuring said device for managing a response.

65. A method for managing perfusion, comprising:

generating a signal from a first location within an animal said signal retrievable by a signal capture tool coupled to a flexible conduit;

transmitting said signal to a guiding system coupled to said flexible conduit;

monitoring said signal at said second location or a new location; and

performing an action with said guiding system responsive to said signal.

66. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, comprising the step of detecting a level of pressure, temperature, chemical, gas, composition, concentration, electrolyte, or flow.

67. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of moving or positioning said flexible conduit.

68. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of delivering a chemical, a chemical compound, a protein, a lipoprotein, a glycoprotein, a sugar, a lipid, an antigen, an antibody, a cytokine, a peptide, a neurotransmitter, a hormone, an ion, a messenger a molecule, a nucleic acid, an engineered nucleic acid, a nucleic acid vector, a drug, a cell, a cell fragment, a cell organelle, a liposome, a pharmaceutical agent, a biological material, or a biological fraction.

69. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of delivering two or more of a chemical, a chemical compound, a protein, a lipoprotein, a glycoprotein, a sugar, a lipid, an antigen, an antibody, a cytokine, a peptide, a neurotransmitter, a hormone, an ion, a messenger a molecule, a nucleic acid, an engineered nucleic acid, a nucleic acid vector, a drug, a cell, a cell fragment, a cell organelle, a liposome, a pharmaceutical agent, a biological material, or a biological fraction.

70. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of delivering an electric current or an electromagnetic radiation in proximity to a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of biological materials exhibiting shear strength.

71. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of directing, blocking, or shunting a liquid flow.

72. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of ablating, degrading, or liquefying a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of materials exhibiting shear strength.

73. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of evacuating a target.

74. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of cauterizing or sealing a cell, a mass of cells, a tissue, or an assembly of materials exhibiting shear strength.

75. The method for perfusion management according to claim 65, wherein said action further comprises the step of dispensing a fluid at a controlled rate.