PRESSURE SENSING VALVE

• US 20060211946A1
• Filed: 04/11/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Switzerland Sàrl
• Original Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kraus, Robert, Dextradeur, Alan, Mauge, Christophe, Meyer, Stefan, McCusker, Daniel, Boedecker, Volker, Ostermeier, Max
• Granted Patent: US 7,510,533 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/24 Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2476 Valves implantable in the body not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves

Abstract

A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided.

Claims

1. An implantable valve, comprising

a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough between a valve inlet and a valve outlet;

a valve assembly disposed within the valve housing and adapted to control a rate of fluid flowing through the valve housing; and

a sensor disposed within the valve housing and adapted to measure a pressure of fluid flowing through the valve housing.

2. The implantable valve of claim 1, wherein the sensor is coupled to an antenna that is adapted to communicate a sensed pressure to an external reading device.

3. The implantable valve of claim 2, wherein the sensor and antenna are coated with a fluid-impermeable coating.

4. The implantable valve of claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed within a pressure sensor assembly, the pressure sensor assembly disposed within the valve housing and being in fluid communication with the valve inlet and valve outlet.

5. The implantable valve of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes a domed portion defining a reservoir therein, and wherein the sensor is adapted to measure a pressure of fluid flowing through the reservoir.

6. The implantable valve of claim 5, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes a needle guard disposed therein and positioned between the domed portion and the sensor, the needle guard being adapted to protect the sensor from a needle being inserted through the domed portion.

7. The implantable valve of claim 6, wherein the needle guard includes an opening formed therein and adapted to expose a portion of the sensor to fluid flowing through the reservoir.

8. The implantable valve of claim 5, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes a washer that is adapted to seat the sensor.

9. The implantable valve of claim 8, wherein the sensor is coupled to a coiled antenna, and wherein the sensor and coiled antenna are adapted to be received within a central opening formed in the washer.

10. The implantable valve of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes an inlet tube adapted to receive fluid flowing into the valve inlet, and an outlet tube adapted to deliver fluid to the valve outlet.

11. The implantable device of claim 10, wherein the valve assembly is disposed between the outlet tube of the pressure sensor assembly and the valve outlet.

12. An implantable valve, comprising:

a housing having a pressure sensor assembly and a valve assembly disposed therein, the pressure sensor assembly being adapted to measure a pressure of fluid flowing through the housing, and the valve assembly being adapted to control a rate of fluid flow through the housing.

13. The implantable valve of claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor that is coupled to an antenna.

14. The implantable valve of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor and the antenna include a coating disposed therearound such that the pressure sensor and antenna are fluid-impermeable.

15. The implantable valve of claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes a housing defining a reservoir formed therein for receiving fluid flow therethrough, the pressure sensor being adapted to measure a pressure of fluid flowing through the reservoir.

16. The implantable valve of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensor assembly includes a guard member disposed therein and adapted to protect the sensor from a needle being inserted through the housing.

17. A method for measure ventricular pressure, comprising:

positioning a distal end of a ventricular catheter within a patient'"'"'s ventricle;

coupling a proximal end of the ventricular catheter to a valve inlet formed on an implantable valve, and coupling a valve outlet formed on the valve to a drainage catheter such that fluid flows from the ventricle through the valve to the drainage catheter, wherein a rate of fluid flowing through the valve is controlled by a valve assembly disposed within the implantable valve; and

obtaining a pressure measurement of the pressure flowing through the valve using a pressure sensor disposed within the valve.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressure measurement is obtained telemetrically by positioning a reading device in proximity to the valve.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the valve assembly.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressure sensor is in-line with the valve assembly.