PRESSURE SENSING VALVE

• US 20080214983A1
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Switzerland Sàrl
• Original Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Mauge, Christophe, Bodecker, Volker, Meyer, Stefan, Dextradeur, Alan J., McCusker, Daniel J., Kraus, Robert G., Ostermeier, Max G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,282,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/9
• 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 wireless sensor disposed within the valve housing and adapted to measure and wirelessly communicate a pressure of fluid flowing through the valve housing.

2. The implantable valve of claim 1, wherein the valve housing includes a reservoir formed therein between the valve inlet and valve outlet, and wherein the wireless sensor is disposed within the reservoir and is configured to measure a pressure of fluid flowing through the reservoir.

3. The implantable valve of claim 1, wherein the valve housing includes a domed portion for pumping fluid flowing therethrough.

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

5. The implantable valve of claim 4, wherein the wireless sensor and antenna are coated with a fluid-impermeable coating.

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

7. The implantable valve of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor includes a needle guard disposed there over and configured to protect the wireless sensor from a needle inserted into the valve housing.

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

9. The implantable valve of claim 1, wherein the wireless sensor is seated within a washer.

10. The implantable valve of claim 9, wherein the wireless sensor is coupled to a coiled antenna, and wherein the wireless sensor and coiled antenna are seated within a central opening formed in the washer.

11. The implantable valve of claim 1, further comprising a first catheter coupled to the valve inlet and a second catheter coupled to the valve outlet.

12. The implantable valve of claim 11, wherein the first catheter includes a terminal end having a plurality of apertures formed therein and configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough.

13. An implantable fluid shunt, comprising:

a ventricular catheter including a first end with a plurality of apertures formed therein for receiving fluid flow therethrough, and a second end coupled to a housing for delivering fluid to the housing; and

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

14. The implantable valve of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to wirelessly communicate a measured pressure.

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

16. The implantable valve of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensor and the antenna include a coating disposed therearound such that the pressure sensor and antenna are fluid-impermeable.

17. The implantable valve of claim 13, 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.

18. The implantable valve of claim 17, 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.

19. A method for measure ventricular pressure, comprising:

positioning a distal end of a ventricular catheter within a patient'"'"'s ventricle such fluid in the ventricle flows through the ventricular catheter to a valve coupled to a proximal end of the ventricular 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.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure measurement is obtained telemetrically by positioning a reading device in proximity to the valve.