Piezoelectric polymer cuff for use in an artificial airway
First Claim
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1. A medical device for insertion into a human body, the medical device comprising:
- a tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one inflation lumen having at least one opening;
at least one inflation cuff attached to the tube, the at least one inflation cuff comprising an internal surface, an external surface, and a piezoelectric material, the at least one inflation cuff further comprising a first electrode in communication with the internal surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff, and a second electrode in communication with the external surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff, wherein the at least one inflation cuff is situated over the at least one opening of the inflation lumen; and
a means for monitoring an amount of electrical potential developed between the first electrode and the second electrode across the piezoelectric material.
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Abstract
A medical device for insertion into a human body is provided. The medical device includes an inflation cuff composed of piezoelectric polymers. Upon inflation of the inflation cuff, the piezoelectric polymers of the inflation cuff exhibit an electrical potential. This electrical potential is measured and correlated to an inflation cuff pressure. The pressure of the inflation cuff is then adjusted, as necessary to prevent sustained underinflation or overinflation of the inflation cuff.
32 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A medical device for insertion into a human body, the medical device comprising:
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a tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one inflation lumen having at least one opening; at least one inflation cuff attached to the tube, the at least one inflation cuff comprising an internal surface, an external surface, and a piezoelectric material, the at least one inflation cuff further comprising a first electrode in communication with the internal surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff, and a second electrode in communication with the external surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff, wherein the at least one inflation cuff is situated over the at least one opening of the inflation lumen; and a means for monitoring an amount of electrical potential developed between the first electrode and the second electrode across the piezoelectric material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An inflation cuff adapted for use with a medical device, the inflation cuff comprising:
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an internal surface, an external surface, and a piezoelectric material, the at least one inflation cuff further comprising a first electrode in communication with the internal surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff, and a second electrode in communication with the external surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff; and a means for monitoring an amount of electrical potential developed between the first electrode and the second electrode across the piezoelectric material - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for measuring the interface pressure between an inflation cuff and the tissue of a body cavity, the system comprising:
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At least one inflation cuff comprising an internal surface, an external surface, and a piezoelectric material, the at least one inflation cuff further comprising a first electrode in communication with the internal surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff, and a second electrode in communication with the external surface of the inflation cuff and in communication with the piezoelectric material of the inflation cuff; a means for monitoring an amount of electrical potential developed between the first electrode and the second electrode across the piezoelectric material; and a means for correlating an amount of electrical potential developed between the first electrode and the second electrode across the piezoelectric material to an amount of interface pressure between the inflation cuff and the tissue of a body cavity.
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Specification