Tissue assessment
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The tissue assessment device consists of a fluid pressure system (1, 2, 11); an optical system (3, 5, 6); and a micro-controller (13). Compression of bladder (11) by actuator (12) displaces the fluid within the bladder 11 into chamber (2) causing diaphragm (1) to inflate and apply pressure onto the tissue surface in order to initiate a blanch. The diaphragm (1) is deflated after a predetermined time, either by releasing the actuator (12) or opening exhaust valve (8). Throughout the blanching, the optical system (3, 5, 6) illuminates the blanch area and the returned light data is collected at regular intervals for several wavelengths from the point when the blanch is initiated, throughout the blanching and a predetermined time thereafter during the recovery phase. The micro-controller controls the process and analyses the returned signals to provide assessment of the tissue surface area. The invention provides a simple low skill tissue assessment device that is highly reliable.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1-12. -12. (canceled)
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13. A tissue assessment method comprising the steps of:
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a. applying fluid pressure to a tissue surface area to push blood out of the area;
b. removing the fluid pressure to allow blood to re-enter the area;
c. illuminating the area during the foregoing steps, d. collecting the returned light, and e. analyzing the results to provide assessment of the microvasculature damage at the area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A tissue assessment device comprising:
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a. means for applying fluid pressure onto a tissue surface area to initiate a blanch, b. an optical system to deliver and collect light to and from the area, wherein the values of collected light may be analyzed to provide a measure of microvasculature damage at the tissue area. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A tissue assessment device comprising:
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a. a housing terminating in a flexible diaphragm, with a chamber being provided in the housing behind the diaphragm;
b. an actuatable fluid supply in communication with the chamber, wherein the fluid supply supplies fluid to and from the chamber to flex the diaphragm;
b. a light source within the housing, wherein the light source emits light through the diaphragm;
c. a photodetector within the housing, wherein the photodetector detects any light returned by a tissue surface area from the light source. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification