Infusion Pressure Monitoring System

• US 20110295191A1
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Injev, Valentine P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,287,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0216 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure

Abstract

An infusion pressure monitoring system for a phacoemulsification or vitrectomy machine to be operated by a health care provider includes an irrigation path configured to carry an irrigation solution to a surgical site and a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid parameter in the irrigation path. An input device receives a variable fluid flow command from the health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid flow through the irrigation path at a flow rate corresponding to the command. A controller communicates with both the fluid sensor and the input device. The controller determines an expected fluid pressure value and a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the variable fluid flow command.

Claims

1. An infusion pressure monitoring system for a phacoemulsification or vitrectomy machine to be operated by a health care provider, comprising:

an irrigation path configured to carry an irrigation solution to a surgical site;

a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid parameter in the irrigation path;

an input device configured to receive a variable infusion pressure or infusion fluid flow command from the health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid pressure or flow through the irrigation path at a pressure or flow rate corresponding to the command;

a controller in communication with the fluid sensor and in communication with the input device, the controller being configured to determine an expected fluid pressure value and to determine a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the variable fluid flow command.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to compare the detected fluid parameter to the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value and trigger a fault condition when the detected fluid parameter is less than the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein when the controller triggers a fault condition, the controller generates a command to perform at least one of the following actions:

display a message, decrease power delivery, and alert the user using at least one of tactile, audible, and visual signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device is a foot pedal operable by the health care provider to generate the variable fluid flow command.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising a second input device configured to receive threshold pressure value calculation data, the controller determining the dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the expected pressure value and the received threshold pressure value calculation data.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising a second input device, wherein the controller is configured to receive data indicative of a selectable operating mode from the second input device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to receive pressure threshold modification data from the second input device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the pressure threshold modification data is a percentage of the expected pressure level.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hand piece having a tip and an infusion sleeve, the controller being configured to receive equipment data indicative of the tip and infusion sleeve, wherein the controller is configured to determine the expected fluid pressure value based in part upon the equipment data.

10. An infusion pressure monitoring system for a phacoemulsification or vitrectomy machine to be operated by a health care provider, comprising:

a hand piece configured to perform a surgical procedure on a patient;

an irrigation path associated with the hand piece and configured to carry an irrigation solution to the surgical site;

a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure in the irrigation path;

a foot pedal configured to receive a variable fluid command from the health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid characteristic through the irrigation path corresponding to the command;

a controller in communication with the fluid sensor and in communication with the input device, the controller being configured to determine an expected fluid pressure value based upon the variable fluid command and configured to determine a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the expected fluid pressure value.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to compare the detected fluid parameter to the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value and trigger a fault condition when the detected fluid parameter is less than the determined dynamically variable threshold pressure value.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein when the controller triggers a fault condition, the controller generates a command to perform at least one of the following actions:

display a message, decrease power delivery, and alert the user using at least one of tactile, audible, and visual signals.

13. The system of claim 10, comprising a second input device, wherein the controller is configured to receive data indicative of an operating mode from the second input device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to receive pressure threshold modification data from the second input device.

15. A method of operating a phacoemulsification machine, comprising:

receiving measured pressure data at a controller indicative of a measured infusion pressure;

receiving from an input device a variable fluid pressure or flow command;

determining a variable expected fluid pressure value corresponding to the variable fluid pressure or flow command;

determining whether the measured infusion pressure data is within an acceptable pressure range for the expected fluid pressure value, the acceptable pressure range being defined by a dynamically variable threshold value;

triggering a fault condition when the measured infusion pressure data is not within the acceptable pressure range; and

changing an operating parameter of the phacoemulsification machine in response to the fault condition.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising determining the dynamically variable threshold value based on the variable expected fluid pressure value.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein determining a variable expected fluid pressure value corresponding to the variable flow command comprises taking into account data indicative of equipment variables.

18. The method of claim 15, comprising determining the acceptable pressure range based upon a percentage of the expected fluid pressure value for the variable flow command.

19. The method of claim 15, comprising determining the acceptable pressure range based upon a fixed deviation from the expected fluid pressure value for the variable flow command.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein changing an operating parameter of the phacoemulsification machine includes interrupting operation of one of an ultrasound hand piece and an aspiration pump operation.