DETECTION OF BLOOD PRESSURE AND BLOOD PRESSURE WAVEFORM

• US 20070163353A1
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Drexel University
• Original Assignee: Drexel University
• Inventors: Swoboda, Marek, Lec, Ryszard
• Application Number:
  US11/608,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20070163353A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/700
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02108 from analysis of pulse wave characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6862 Stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0001 Transmitting or indicating the displacement of elastically deformable gauges by electric, electro-mechanical, magnetic or electro-magnetic means G01L9/0026, G01L9/0033, G01L9/0082, G01L9/0089, G01L9/0091 take precedence

Abstract

The novel embodiments include a method, system and device for measuring a fluid characteristic in a conduit. The novel method includes applying a planar force to the conduit and receiving a pressure from the conduit. The pressure is responsive to the fluid and the conduit, where the pressure is received within a predetermined area. Also, the novel method includes processing the pressure to determine the fluid characteristic. The novel device includes a support structure for supporting the conduit and a sensor head in cooperation with the support structure. The sensor head applies a planar force to the conduit, and has a portion least equal to an outer radius of the conduit. The device also includes a pressure transducer located on the sensor head. The pressure transducer receives a pressure from the conduit that is responsive to the fluid and the conduit.

Claims

1. A method for measuring a fluid characteristic in a conduit, the method comprising:

applying a planar force to the conduit;

receiving a pressure from the conduit, wherein the pressure is responsive to the fluid and the conduit, and wherein the pressure is received within a predetermined area; and

processing the pressure to determine the fluid characteristic.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the planar force is applied to an area at least equal to an outer radius of the conduit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit is flexible.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit carries blood.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the conduit is at least one of the following:

artery, vein, gastrointestinal tract, lymphatic vessel, urinary track, air track, and trachea.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit is a pipe.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the planar force causes the conduit to become substantially planar.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is varying.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid characteristic comprises at least one of the following:

systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean pressure, and pressure waveform.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is transmitted and received by at least one of the following transducers:

piezoelectric, piezoresistive, capacitive, magnetostrictive, optical, and inductive.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid characteristic is transmitted wirelessly.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the conduit is substantially rigid.

13. A device for measuring a fluid characteristic in a conduit, the system comprising:

a support structure for supporting the conduit;

a sensor head in cooperation with the support structure, wherein the sensor head applies a planar force to the conduit, and wherein the sensor head has a portion least equal to an outer radius of the conduit; and

a pressure transducer located on the sensor head, wherein the pressure transducer receives a pressure from the conduit that is responsive to the fluid and the conduit, and wherein the pressure transducer is located within a predetermined area on the sensor head.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a processor for processing the pressure to determine a fluid characteristic.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a transmitter in communication with the processor, wherein the transmitter communicates information related to the fluid characteristic.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the information is a warning signal communicated to a medical professional for medical intervention.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the information is communicated over the Internet to a health system.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the support structure comprises a rigid housing with a flat bottom portion and rounded edges.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the flat bottom portion comprises an elongated area positioned in the center sensor head, and wherein the pressure transducer is located on the elongated area.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the device is implantable.

21. The device of claim 13, further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure transducer, wherein the controller provides automated drug delivery.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an array of piezoelectric sensors.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein the device is a cardiac bypass.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the cardiac bypass correlates a response of the pressure transducer with a condition of a cardiac system.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the condition of the cardiac system includes at least one of the following:

flow obstruction, plaque accumulation, incoming heart attack, and drug management.

26. The device of claim 13, further comprising an electronic device in communication with the pressure transducer, wherein the electronic device excites the pressure transducer into a predetermined vibration mode.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the electronic device measures a change in an operational parameter of the pressure transducer, and wherein the electronic device correlates the change with a characteristic of the fluid.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the change in the operation parameter of the pressure transducer comprises at least one of the following:

amplitude, frequency and phase.

29. The device of claim 13, wherein the pressure transducer provides a force to the conduit.

30. The device of claim 13, wherein the conduit is embedded in an enclosing structure comprising at least one of the following:

tissue, protective multilayer industrial conduit, and functional multilayer industrial conduit.

31. The device of claim 13, wherein a characteristic of the pressure transducer is based on at least one of the following:

dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and fluid pressure.