METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A DETERIORATION OF RESPIRATORY FUNCTION

• US 20090182210A1
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patient Shield Concepts, LLC
• Original Assignee: Patient Shield Concepts, LLC
• Inventors: Taro, Nicholas L.
• Granted Patent: US 11,457,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for the monitoring of blood analytes using optical probes in the circulatory system. The probes can be inserted on the venous side of the circulatory system. In another embodiment, methods and apparatuses can be used for processing continuous information generated from indwelling intravascular or tissue optical sensors including, but not limited to, measuring gas concentrations, pH, temperature, and other analytes of blood or tissue. In another embodiment, analyte values can be displayed and analyzed to determine if the values fall outside of normal physiological parameters. Trends of one or multiple analyte values can be analyzed and extrapolated to predict any impending, deleterious condition. In one embodiment, an alarm can be transmitted to appropriate personnel when criterion/criteria are met. In yet another embodiment, devices can be inhibited from delivering continuous infusions of medicine to patients.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring at least one blood analyte for use in determining a deterioration of respiratory function, said method comprising:

obtaining a venous blood analyte measurement of a patient;

determining a deterioration of respiratory function based upon said venous blood analyte measurement.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement comprises:

measuring a partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the venous blood of the patient.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement comprises:

measuring a partial pressure of oxygen in the venous blood of the patient.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement comprises:

measuring a pH of the venous blood of the patient.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement comprises:

measuring a temperature of the venous blood of the patient.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement comprises:

inserting an optical probe into a peripheral vein of said patient.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement further comprises:

obtaining said blood analyte measurement from a location within the peripheral venous system of the patient.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement further comprises:

obtaining said blood analyte measurement from a location within the central venous system of the patient.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said obtaining said blood analyte measurement from a location within the central venous system of the patient comprises:

advancing said optical probe through said peripheral venous system to said central venous system.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement comprises:

inserting an optical probe into a central vein of said patient;

obtaining said blood analyte measurement from a location within the central venous system of the patient.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

utilizing said determining of said deterioration of respiratory function to predict a respiratory arrest by said patient.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

utilizing said determining of said deterioration of respiratory function to predict opioid induced respiratory depression of said patient.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

in response to said determining said deterioration of respiratory function, reducing the administration of at least one opioid to said patient.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

in response to said determining said deterioration of respiratory function, ceasing the administration of at least one opioid to said patient.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

in response to said determining said deterioration of respiratory function, increasing the respiration of said patient.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

in response to said determining said deterioration of respiratory function, signaling an alarm so as to alert life safety personnel.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said determining said deterioration of respiratory function comprises utilizing a trend analysis of blood analyte measurements.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood measurement is performed in a non-surgical setting.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood measurement is performed in a surgical setting.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said obtaining said venous blood measurement is performed in an ambulatory care setting.

21. A method of monitoring at least one blood analyte for use in determining a deterioration of respiratory function, said method comprising:

inserting an optical probe into a tissue bed of a patient;

obtaining a blood analyte measurement from said tissue bed;

determining a deterioration of respiratory function based upon said blood analyte measurement.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said inserting said optical probe into said tissue bed of said patient comprises inserting said optical probe into an organ.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said inserting said optical probe into said tissue bed of said patient comprises inserting said optical probe into interstitial fluid of said patient.

24. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said inserting said optical probe comprises inserting said optical probe into brain tissue of said patient.

25. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said inserting said optical probe comprises inserting said optical probe into subcutaneous tissue of said patient.

26. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said inserting said optical probe comprises inserting said optical probe into a muscle of said patient.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein said inserting said optical probe comprises inserting said optical probe into a deltoid muscle of said patient.

28. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor for sensing a venous blood analyte measurement of a patient;

a processor programmed to determine a deterioration of respiratory function based upon said venous blood analyte measurement.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said sensor measures a partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the venous blood of the patient.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said sensor measures a partial pressure of oxygen in the venous blood of the patient.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said sensor measures a pH of the venous blood of the patient.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said sensor measures a temperature of the venous blood of the patient.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said sensor comprises an optical probe operable for insertion into a peripheral vein of said patient.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said sensor is operable for obtaining said blood analyte measurement from a location within the peripheral venous system of the patient.

35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said sensor is operable for obtaining said venous blood analyte measurement from a location within the central venous system of the patient.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said sensor comprises an optical probe configured for insertion into a central vein of said patient;

and

wherein said optical probe is configured for obtaining said blood analyte measurement from a location within the central venous system of the patient.

37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is configured to predict a respiratory deterioration by said patient.

38. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is configured to predict an opioid induced respiratory depression of said patient.

39. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is further configured to reduce the administration of at least one opioid to said patient in response to said determination of said deterioration of said respiratory function.

40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is further configured to cease the administration of at least one opioid in response to said determination of said deterioration of said respiratory function.

41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is further configured to increase the respiration of said patient in response to said determination of said deterioration of said respiratory function.

42. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is further configured to cause the administration of a narcotic reversal agent.

43. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is further configured to signal an alarm so as to alert life safety personnel in response to said determination of said deterioration of said respiratory function.

44. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said processor is configured to utilize a trend analysis of blood analyte measurements in order to determine said deterioration of said respiratory function.

45. An apparatus

an optical probe for insertion into a tissue bed of a patient;

said optical probe configured for sensing a blood analyte measurement from said tissue bed;

a processor configured for determining a deterioration of respiratory function of said patient based upon said blood analyte measurement.

46. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said optical probe is configured for insertion into an organ of said patient.

47. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said optical probe is configured for insertion into interstitial fluid of said patient.

48. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said optical probe is configured for insertion into brain tissue of said patient.

49. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said optical probe is configured for insertion into subcutaneous tissue of said patient.

50. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45 wherein said optical probe is configured for insertion into a muscle of said patient.

51. The apparatus as claimed in claim 50 wherein said optical probe is configured for insertion into a deltoid muscle of said patient.