External Mechanical Pressure Sensor for Gastric Band Pressure Measurements

• US 20080015406A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David, Dlugos, Daniel, Poeppelman, Amy
• Granted Patent: US 7,927,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0003 Apparatus for the treatment of obesity; Anti-eating devices surgical instruments or methods for treatment of obesity, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/00; hollow or tubular parts of organs A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0053 remotely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14533 cam actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1077 Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/073 Syringe, piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14586 pressurised by means of a flexible diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/345 Adaptors positioned between needle hub and syringe nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/486 Indicating injection pressure

Abstract

A merely exemplary external pressure sensing system comprises a connecting member and a pressure sensor. The connecting member is operable to connect to a syringe barrel and a needle. The connecting member comprises a conduit permitting communication of fluid from the syringe barrel to the needle when the connecting member is connected to the syringe barrel and the needle. The pressure sensor is in communication with the conduit. The pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure of fluid within the connecting member. The connecting member is configured to permit the pressure sensor to sense the pressure of the fluid while the fluid is communicated from the barrel to the needle. The pressure sensor is configured to provide a visual indication of sensed pressure. The visual indication may be provided by a variety of components, including but not limited to a diaphragm, a disc, a needle, or a slider.

Claims

1. An external pressure sensing system, the system comprising:

(a) a connecting member operable to connect to a syringe barrel, wherein the connecting member is further operable to connect to a needle, wherein the connecting member comprises a conduit permitting communication of fluid from the syringe barrel to the needle when the connecting member is connected to the syringe barrel and the needle; and

(b) a pressure sensor in communication with the conduit, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure of fluid within the connecting member, wherein the connecting member is configured to permit the pressure sensor to sense the pressure of the fluid while the fluid is communicated from the barrel to the needle, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to provide a visual indication of sensed pressure.

2. The external pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a movable indicator, wherein the movable indicator is configured to move in response to changes in pressure of the fluid.

3. The external pressure sensing system of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a first medium and a second medium, wherein the first medium and the second medium are separated by the movable indicator.

4. The external pressure sensing system of claim 2, wherein the movable indicator is positioned such that the movable indicator is intersected by an axis defined by a syringe barrel and a needle when the connecting member is connected to the syringe barrel and the needle.

5. The external pressure sensing system of claim 2, wherein the movable indicator is engaged with a resilient member.

6. The external pressure sensing system of claim 5, wherein the resilient member comprises one or both of a spring or a bellows.

7. The external pressure sensing system of claim 2, wherein the movable indicator comprises one or more of a diaphragm, a disc, a needle, or a slider.

8. The external pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is free of electronic components.

9. The external pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is housed within the connecting member.

10. The external pressure sensing system of claim 9, wherein the connecting member has a first connection port, a second connection port, and a third connection port.

11. The external pressure sensing system of claim 10, wherein the first connection port is configured to engage with a syringe barrel, wherein the second connection port is configured to engage with a syringe needle, and wherein the third connection port is configured to engage with the pressure sensor.

12. The external pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a member marked with graduations indicative of pressure levels.

13. An external pressure sensing kit, the kit comprising:

(a) a syringe, wherein the syringe comprises;

(i) a barrel,

(ii) a plunger, wherein at least a portion of the plunger is configured to fit within the barrel, and

(iii) a needle; and

(b) a pressure sensing system, wherein the pressure sensing system comprises;

(i) a connector, wherein the connector is configured to fit between the barrel and the needle, wherein the connector provides a fluid path configured to permit communication of fluid from the barrel to the needle,

(ii) a pressure sensor in communication with the connector, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure of fluid within the connector as fluid moves from the barrel to the needle or from the needle to the barrel when the connector is attachably positioned between the barrel and the needle, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to provide a visual indication of sensed pressure.

14. The external pressure sensing kit of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a housing externally attached to the connector.

15. The external pressure sensing kit of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor is housed within the connector.

16. The external pressure sensing kit of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a pressure indicator, wherein the pressure indicator is operable to move in response to changes in pressure within the connector.

17. The external pressure sensing kit of claim 16, wherein the pressure indicator comprises one or more of a disc, a diaphragm, a needle, or a slider.

18. A method for externally measuring the pressure of fluid in an implanted device, the method comprising:

(a) providing a syringe assembly, wherein the syringe assembly comprises;

(i) a syringe barrel, wherein the syringe barrel comprises a fluid, and

(ii) a needle in fluid communication with the barrel;

(b) providing an external pressure sensor assembly in fluid communication with the syringe assembly, wherein the external pressure sensor assembly is located external to a patient, wherein the external pressure sensor assembly comprises a movable indicator configured to indicate sensed pressure;

(c) inserting the needle of the syringe assembly into the patient, wherein the needle is inserted into a fluid injection port located within the patient, wherein the fluid injection port comprises a fluid;

(d) adjusting the pressure of fluid in the injection port, wherein the act of adjusting comprises manipulating the syringe assembly to add fluid to the port or to withdraw fluid from the port; and

(e) obtaining a pressure reading with the external pressure sensor assembly, wherein the pressure data relates to the pressure of the fluid within at least a portion of the syringe assembly, wherein the act of obtaining a pressure reading comprises viewing the movable indicator.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the act of obtaining a pressure reading and the act of adjusting the pressure of fluid in the injection port are performed substantially simultaneously.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the external pressure sensor assembly is free of electronic components.