Noninvasive fetal blood oxygen monitoring system and associated method

• US 20110118576A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Children's Hospital & Medical Center
• Original Assignee: Children's Hospital & Medical Center
• Inventors: Eghtesady, Pirooz, Baker, R. Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/675,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20110118576A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/338
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1464 specially adapted for foetal tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4362 Assessing foetal parameters

Abstract

A method for non-invasively measuring the oxygen saturation of an in utero fetus'"'"'s blood using near-infrared spectroscopy. Exemplary methods include placement of a sensor on the outside of the uterus approximate the placenta. Other exemplary methods include inserting a probe into the uterus. Sensors may be positioned approximate a particular portion of the fetus, such as the brain or kidney, to measure the oxygen saturation within the particular portion of the fetus.

Claims

1. A method of measuring oxygen concentration within fetal blood comprising:

placing a sensor approximate an outside of a wall of a uterus, the sensor being adapted to be operatively coupled to a near-infrared spectroscopy device; and

measuring a saturation of oxygen in blood of a fetus present within the uterus using the near-infrared spectroscopy device and the sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing the sensor includes placing the sensor approximate the outside of the wall of the uterus generally opposing a placenta present within the uterus;

and wherein the step of measuring the saturation of oxygen includes measuring a saturation of oxygen in the fetus'"'"'s blood present within the placenta.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a miniature sensor.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, prior to the step of placing the sensor, creating a minimally invasive incision and inserting the sensor through the minimally invasive incision.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, prior to the step of placing the sensor, visualizing the uterus using a laparoscope.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor and the near-infrared spectroscopy device are adapted to be operatively connected via a wireless data link.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the saturation of oxygen includes continuously measuring the saturation of oxygen during at least a portion of a therapeutic procedure.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the therapeutic procedure includes placing the fetus on cardiopulmonary bypass.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing the sensor includes placing the sensor approximate the outside of the wall of the uterus generally near at least one of a brain and a kidney of the fetus;

and wherein the step of measuring the saturation of oxygen includes measuring a saturation of oxygen in the fetus'"'"'s blood present within at least one of the brain and the kidney.

10. A method of measuring fetal blood oxygen concentration comprising:

inserting a probe into a uterus, the probe including a sensor adapted to be operatively coupled to a near-infrared spectroscopy device; and

measuring a saturation of oxygen in blood of a fetus present within the uterus using the near-infrared spectroscopy device and the sensor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of inserting the probe includes placing the sensor approximate a placenta present within the uterus;

and wherein the step of measuring the saturation of oxygen includes measuring a saturation of oxygen in the fetus'"'"'s blood present within the placenta.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor is a miniature sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising, prior to the step of inserting the probe, creating a minimally invasive incision;

wherein the step of inserting the probe includes inserting the probe through the minimally invasive incision.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, prior to placing the sensor approximate the placenta, visualizing the uterus using a laparoscope.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor and the near-infrared spectroscopy device are adapted to be operatively connected via a wireless data link.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of measuring the saturation of oxygen includes continuously measuring the saturation of oxygen during at least a portion of a therapeutic procedure.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the therapeutic procedure includes placing the fetus on cardiopulmonary bypass.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of inserting the probe includes placing the sensor approximate at least one of a brain and a kidney of the fetus;

and wherein the step of measuring the saturation of oxygen includes measuring a saturation of oxygen in the fetus'"'"'s blood present within at least one of the brain and the kidney.

19. A fetal blood oximetry device comprising:

a near-infrared spectroscopy device; and

a sensor operatively coupled to the near-infrared spectroscopy device;

wherein the sensor is adapted for use at least one of on or within a uterus.

20. The fetal blood oximetry device of claim 19, wherein the sensor includes a tissue-contact surface at least partially covered with an adhesive;

and wherein the adhesive is moisture-resistant.

21. The fetal blood oximetry device of claim 19, wherein the sensor includes a connector interposing the sensor and the near-infrared spectroscopy device;

and wherein the connector is moisture-resistant.

22. The fetal blood oximetry device of claim 19, further comprising a probe adapted to be inserted into a uterus;

wherein the sensor is mounted to the probe.

23. The fetal blood oximetry device of claim 19, wherein the sensor and the near-infrared spectroscopy device are operatively connected via a wireless data link.