Apparatus and methods for non-invasively measuring hemodynamic parameters
First Claim
1. A method of positioning at least one sensor with respect to the anatomy of a living subject, comprising:
- providing said at least one sensor;
providing an alignment apparatus adapted to align said at least one sensor with respect to said anatomy, said alignment apparatus comprising a positioning element;
disposing said at least one sensor over said positioning element, said positioning element further adapted to position said at least one sensor in a neutral position over the anatomy of said living subject; and
positioning said alignment apparatus with respect to said anatomy using at least said positioning element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises apparatus adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an alignment apparatus which is separable from an adjustable fixture. The apparatus moveably captures the sensor to, inter alia, facilitate coupling thereof to an actuator used to position the sensor during measurements. In a second aspect, improved sensor apparatus is disclosed adapted to minimize the effects of shear during sensor movement and monitoring as well as maximize the lateral and proximal search area available to the sensor within the apparatus. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor are also disclosed.
37 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method of positioning at least one sensor with respect to the anatomy of a living subject, comprising:
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providing said at least one sensor; providing an alignment apparatus adapted to align said at least one sensor with respect to said anatomy, said alignment apparatus comprising a positioning element; disposing said at least one sensor over said positioning element, said positioning element further adapted to position said at least one sensor in a neutral position over the anatomy of said living subject; and positioning said alignment apparatus with respect to said anatomy using at least said positioning element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus adapted to measure at least one hemodynamic parameter of a living subject, comprising:
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alignment apparatus adapted to substantially conform to the anatomy of said subject, said alignment apparatus comprising; a frame comprising a conforming element; and a removable paddle apparatus, said removable paddle apparatus removably coupled to said frame; wherein said removable paddle apparatus further comprises an alignment element; and sensing apparatus adapted to be at least initially aligned into position over an artery of said living subject using at least said alignment apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A hemodynamic sensor assembly, comprising:
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a first coupling element adapted to be removably coupled to an actuator; a second coupling element adapted to be removably coupled to an alignment device; a substantially elliptical bias element; and a hemodynamic sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A hemodynamic pressure sensor, comprising:
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a housing element adapted to at least partly receive a pressure transducer; a coupling element comprising a retention feature adapted to be coupled with an actuator; and a surface contacting element for coupling said pressure transducer to the skin of a living subject; wherein said surface contacting element comprises a substantially curved periphery. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. Apparatus useful for non-invasively measuring at least one hemodynamic parameter from the blood vessel of a living subject, comprising:
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a sensor assembly comprising; a pressure transducer; and a substantially compliant contact material adapted to interface between an active surface of said transducer and tissue of said subject; a substantially flexible frame element adapted to conform to the anatomy of said subject proximate said blood vessel; and a support element removably coupled to said frame element, said support element configured to; (i) support said sensor assembly in a position substantially disengaged from said tissue while said support element is coupled to said frame element; and (ii) provide an optical alignment feature to aid an operator in placing said apparatus on said anatomy while said support element is coupled to said frame element.
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31. A method of positioning at least one sensor with respect to the anatomy of a living subject, comprising:
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providing said at least one sensor; providing an alignment apparatus coupled to and adapted to align said at least one sensor with respect to said anatomy, said alignment apparatus comprising a positioning element, at least a portion of said positioning element adapted to correspond to the shape of a particular portion of said anatomy; and disposing said at least one alignment apparatus with sensor on said anatomy using at least said positioning element. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. Alignment apparatus adapted for use in placing a sensor for hemodynamic assessment of a living subject, comprising:
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a substantially planar first element; a substantially planar second element in communication with said first element, said second element comprising an optical alignment device adapted to aid in aligning said sensor with respect to a blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. Alignment apparatus adapted for use in placing a sensor for hemodynamic assessment of a living subject, comprising:
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an optical alignment device adapted to aid in aligning said sensor with respect to a blood vessel; and at least one positioning element, said at least one positioning element being adapted to correspond to the shape of an anatomical feature of said subject, said shape cooperating with said feature to assist a user in proper placement of said apparatus with respect to said anatomy. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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Specification