A SENSOR MODULE FOR A CATHETER

• US 20100010327A1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Pijnenburg, Remco, Ponomarev, Youri, Merz, Matthias
• Granted Patent: US 8,233,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• 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 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end

Abstract

A sensor module (130) for a catheter (110), the sensor module (130) comprising a biofilm detection unit (131) adapted for detecting a characteristic of a biofilm (132) and electric circuitry (135, 800) for providing an output signal indicative of a result of the detection.

Claims

1. A sensor module for a catheter, the sensor module comprising

a biofilm detection unit adapted for detecting a characteristic of a biofilm;

electric circuitry for providing an output signal indicative of a result of the detection.

2. The sensor module of claim 1,

comprising a processing unit adapted for processing the characteristic for generating the output signal.

3. The sensor module of claim 1,

wherein the biofilm detection unit comprises a pH sensor, particularly an ion sensitive field effect transistor.

4. The sensor module a of claim 1,

wherein the biofilm detection unit comprises an impedance sensor.

5. The sensor module claim 4,

wherein the impedance sensor is adapted for a measurement between at least one first electrode integrated in a substrate and at least one second electrode integrated in the substrate or located in a medium surrounding the sensor module.

6. The sensor module of claim 4,

wherein the impedance sensor is adapted for a measurement between four electrodes arranged in a configuration with two outer electrodes and two inner electrodes arranged between the two outer electrodes;

wherein the impedance sensor is adapted for applying an alternating electric signal between the outer electrodes and is adapted for measuring an electric response signal between the two inner electrodes indicative of the impedance value.

7. The sensor module of claim 2,

wherein the processing unit is adapted for generating a probability information regarding a reliability of the detected characteristic of the biofilm.

8. The sensor module of claim 2,

wherein the processing unit is adapted for generating the output signal continuously or at regular time intervals.

9. The sensor module of claim 2,

wherein the processing unit is adapted for generating the output signal comprising a unique identifier.

10. The sensor module of claim 1,

comprising a communication unit adapted for transmitting, in a wired or wireless manner, the output signal to a base station.

11. The sensor module of claim 1,

wherein at least a part of the sensor module is monolithically integrated in semiconductor technology.

12. The sensor module of claim 1,

comprising a temperature detection unit is adapted for detecting a temperature signal;

wherein the electric circuitry is adapted for providing an output signal indicative of a result of the temperature detection.

13. The sensor module of claim 1,

comprising a memory adapted for storing data.

14. The sensor module of claim 1,

comprising a power supply unit adapted for supplying at least a part of the components of the sensor module with electric energy, particularly at least one of the group consisting of a disposable battery, and a rechargeable battery rechargeable in a wireless manner.

15. The sensor module of claim 1,

adapted for a bidirectional communication with an external programming unit for programming the sensor module.

16. A the catheter, the catheter comprising

a tubular element enclosing a lumen;

a sensor module of claim 1 coupled to the tubular element.

17. The catheter of claim 16,

wherein the sensor module is integrated between segments of the tubular element.

18. The catheter of claim 16,

comprising a collection bag in fluid communication with the lumen of the tubular element.

19. The catheter of claim 16,

adapted as a urinary catheter.

20. The catheter of claim 16,

comprising a plurality of sensor modules of claim 1 arranged along the tubular element.

21. The catheter of claim 16,

wherein the sensor module is adapted for detecting a characteristic of a biofilm formed in at least one of the group consisting of an intraluminal surface and an extraluminal surface of the tubular element.

22. The catheter of claim 16,

wherein at least a part of a surface of the catheter comprises an infection-inhibiting functionalization.

23. A base station, the base station comprising

a communication unit adapted for communicating with a sensor module of claim 1;

an output unit adapted for outputting the result of the detection of the sensor module.

24. The base station of claim 23,

comprising a programming unit adapted for programming the sensor module, particularly adapted for involving bidirectional communication between the sensor module and the base station.

25. A method of operating a sensor module for a catheter, the method comprising

detecting a characteristic of a biofilm;

providing an output signal indicative of a result of the detection.

26. A program element, which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to control or carry out a method of claim 25 of operating a sensor module for a catheter.

27. A computer-readable medium, in which a computer program is stored which, when being executed by a processor, is adapted to control or carry out a method of claim 25 of operating a sensor module for a catheter.