MEDICAL DEVICE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL ORGAN TISSUE AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME

• US 20090246797A1
• Filed: 02/19/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hausmann, Gilbert, Campbell, Shannon, Rideout, Christina
• Application Number:
  US12/388,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20090246797A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/7.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/728 Bilirubin; including biliverdin
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/84 involving inorganic compounds or pH

Abstract

A system for tissue ischemia detection is provided that may be used to assess markers of tissue ischemia. Such a system may include a sensor that may be used directly on internal tissue to assess ischemic condition. Sensors to be used in conjunction with the provided system may include optical, chemical or electrochemical sensors that may be directly applied or affixed to the tissue, held proximate to the tissue, or spread over the tissue in the form of a gel.

Claims

8. A method of detecting tissue ischemia comprising:

generating a sensor output related to a tissue ischemia marker; and

performing an operation on the sensor output to determine a presence, a change, and/or a level of the tissue ischemia marker.

9. The method recited in claim 8, comprising determining if the tissue is ischemic based on the presence, change, and/or level of the tissue ischemia marker.

10. The method recited in claim 9, comprising triggering an alarm if the level of the tissue ischemia marker corresponds to the ischemic condition.

11. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the ouput comprises an optical output.

12. A method of detecting tissue ischemia comprising:

viewing a sensor comprising a hydrogel applied to an internal tissue, wherein a visual characteristic of the sensor corresponds to a present or level of a tissue ischemia marker; and

determining if the presence or level of the tissue ischemia marker corresponds to an ischemic condition in the internal tissue based on the visual characteristic.

13. The method recited in claim 12, comprising shining a fluorescent light on the hydrogel, and wherein determining the presence or level of the tissue ischemia marker comprises detecting a change in fluorescence.

14. The method recited in claim 13, wherein detecting the change in fluorescence comprises detecting an increase in chemiluminescence of bilirubin.

15. A system for detecting tissue ischemia comprising:

a light source capable of directing light into an internal tissue;

a light detector capable of detecting the light; and

a processor operatively connected to the light detector and capable of analyzing the detected light to determine if the internal tissue is ischemic.

1. A system for detecting tissue ischemia comprising:

a sensor capable of producing an output related to a tissue ischemia marker present in an internal tissue; and

a processor capable of receiving and analyzing the output to determine a measurement of the tissue ischemia marker.

2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the output comprises an electrical output, an optical output and/or a colormetric output.

3. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the tissue ischemia marker comprises bilirubin, heat shock protein 32, and/or carbon monoxide.

4. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an antibody with affinity for the tissue ischemia marker.

5. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a hydrogel.

6. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one or more light emitters and one or more light detectors.

7. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor determines if the tissue is ischemic based on the measurement of the tissue ischemia marker.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the analysis comprises detecting a level of bilirubin and/or carbon monoxide.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the analysis comprises comparing the detected light to a predetermined threshold value.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the light comprises a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 500 nm.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the analysis comprises monitoring an ischemia marker to determine a quantitative level of the ischemia marker.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the analysis comprises monitoring an ischemia marker to determine a presence of the ischemia marker.

18-1. The system of claim 15, wherein the analysis comprises monitoring an ischemia marker over time to determine a rate of change of the ischemia marker.

19. The system of claim 19, wherein the light analyzed comprises a peak wavelength of about 460 nm.

23. A method for detecting tissue ischemia, the method comprising:

directing a light onto a region of tissue;

detecting the light reflected from the region of tissue; and

analyzing the detected light to determine if a level of a tissue ischemia marker corresponds to an ischemic condition in the region of tissue.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising comparing the tissue ischemia marker level to a predetermined threshold value.

25. The method of claim 23, comprising monitoring a rate of change in the tissue ischemia marker level.