DEVICE WITH EXTERNAL PRESSURE SENSORS FOR ENHANCING PATIENT CARE AND METHODS OF USING SAME

• US 20130281885A1
• Filed: 06/13/2013
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Rowbottom, James R., Reynolds, James Dixon
• Application Number:
  US13/916,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20130281885A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/037 Measuring oesophageal pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/447 specially adapted for aiding the prevention of ulcer or pressure sore development, i.e. before the ulcer or sore has developed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0073 Multi-lumen tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0084 for sensing parameters related to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0411 with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0415 with access means to the stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/044 External cuff pressure control or supply, e.g. synchronisation with respiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0443 Special cuff-wall materials A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 : local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 : sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature

Abstract

A method for monitoring physiologic conditions of a patient includes inserting an esophageal or other suitable tube into the patient, the tube comprising a lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and central portion, and a pressure sensor disposed about at least a portion of an outer surface of the lumen of the tube. The pressure sensor is capable of detecting a change in pressure when a force is exerted against the outer surface of the lumen. The tube is then positioned within the patient and an initial pressure reading of the pressure exerted against the pressure sensors disposed about the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lumen of the tube is taken. The method also includes monitoring changes in the initial pressure reading and, if needed, taking a second pressure reading.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring physiologic conditions of a patient, comprising:

a medical device having an outer surface; and

a pressure sensor disposed about at least a portion of the outer surface of the medical device;

wherein the pressure sensor is capable of detecting a change in pressure when a force is exerted against the outer surface of the medical device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical device is selected from the group comprising an endotracheal tube, an esophageal feeding tube, a catheter, or a dermal pad.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the medical device is an endotracheal tube.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the endotracheal tube comprises a lumen, the lumen having a distal end, a central portion, and a proximal end.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the medical device further comprises an inflatable cuff disposed between the central portion of the lumen and the distal end of the lumen.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the central portion of the lumen.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the central portion of the lumen and the distal end of the lumen.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed on the outer surface of the central portion of the lumen, the distal end of the lumen, and the inflatable cuff.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor is integral with the central portion of the lumen.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor is integral with the central portion of the lumen and the distal end of the lumen.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the medical device comprises an esophageal feeding tube.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is comprised of a force sensing resistor.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is comprised of a pressure sensitive conductive polymer.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is comprised of a force-sensing biocompatible material.

15. A method for monitoring physiologic conditions of a patient, comprising:

inserting an endotracheal tube through a mouth of the patient, the endotracheal tube comprising a lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and central portion and an inflatable cuff disposed around the lumen, between the central portion of the lumen and the distal end of the lumen, and a pressure sensor disposed about at least a portion of an outer surface of the lumen of the endotracheal tube;

wherein the pressure sensor is capable of detecting a change in pressure when a force is exerted against the outer surface of the lumen;

positioning the endotracheal tube within the patient'"'"'s trachea so that the patient may breath through the endotracheal tube;

taking an initial pressure reading of the pressure exerted against the pressure sensors disposed about the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lumen of the endotracheal tube; and

monitoring changes from the initial pressure reading.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of taking at least a second pressure reading.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of detecting movement of the endotracheal tube by comparing the initial pressure reading with the second pressure reading and determining if the endotracheal tube has changed positions.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprises the step of evaluating the patency of a patient'"'"'s airway by comparing the initial pressure reading with the second pressure reading and determining if tissue around the endotracheal tube has swollen.

19. A method for monitoring physiologic conditions of a patient, comprising:

inserting an esophageal feeding tube through the nose or mouth of the patient, the esophageal feeding tube comprising a lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and central portion, and a pressure sensor disposed about at least a portion of an outer surface of the lumen of the esophageal feeding tube;

wherein the pressure sensor is capable of detecting a change in pressure when a force is exerted against the outer surface of the lumen;

positioning the esophageal feeding tube within the patient'"'"'s esophagus;

taking an initial pressure reading of the pressure exerted against the pressure sensors disposed about the at least a portion of the outer surface of the lumen of the esophageal feeding tube; and

monitoring changes from the initial pressure reading.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising monitoring the placement of the esophageal feeding tube within the esophagus by comparing the initial pressure reading with a known pressure pattern for a patient'"'"'s esophagus.