SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF ESOPHAGEAL WALL BLOOD PERFUSION

• US 20150051450A1
• Filed: 04/01/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Mittal, Ravinder, Bhargava, Valmik
• Application Number:
  US14/385,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20150051450A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• 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 5/4233 oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

The present invention provides a device and system useful as a new diagnostic modality to differentiate the etiology of heartburn/chest pain by measuring esophageal blood flow. Furthermore, the device and system of the present invention can be used as a new diagnostic modality to differentiate the etiology of abdominal pain by measuring blood in the wall of gastrointestinal tract including rectum and colon blood flow.

Claims

1. A device for measuring blood perfusion in the esophageal wall of a patient, the device comprising:

a probe;

a suction cup attached to the probe;

a suction tube connected to the suction cup and configured to produce a vacuum in the suction cup such that a small volume of mucosa from the esophageal wall is sucked into the suction cup;

a pin positioned to be inserted into the small volume of mucosa sucked into the suction cup such that the probe is fixed in place relative to the esophageal wall;

a fiber optic cable configured for delivering a laser beam to and through the probe and in the direction of the esophageal wall such that there is little or no relative movement between the laser beam and the esophageal wall;

wherein the probe is configured to measure laser Doppler perfusion indicative of the blood perfusion of the esophageal wall.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pH sensor.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising an O₂ sensor.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a CO₂ sensor.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising impedance rings.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising an ultrasound transducer.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a delivery tube for installing the probe in the patient.

8. A system for measuring blood perfusion in the esophageal wall of a patient, the device comprising:

a probe;

a suction cup attached to the probe;

a suction tube connected to the suction cup and configured to produce a vacuum in the suction cup such that a small volume of mucosa from the esophageal wall is sucked into the suction cup;

a pin positioned to be inserted into the small volume of mucosa sucked into the suction cup such that the probe is fixed in place relative to the esophageal wall;

a fiber optic cable configured for delivering a laser beam to and through the probe and in the direction of the esophageal wall such that there is little or no relative movement between the laser beam and the esophageal wall;

wherein the probe is configured to measure laser Doppler perfusion indicative of the blood perfusion of the esophageal wall; and

a recorder for providing the laser beam and for receiving the measured laser Doppler perfusion measurements from the probe.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a pH sensor for measuring pH, wherein the recorder is further configured for receiving the pH measurements from the pH sensor.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising an O₂ sensor for measuring O₂, wherein the recorder is further configured for receiving the O₂ measurements.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising a CO₂ sensor for measuring CO₂, wherein the recorder is further configured for receiving the CO₂ measurement.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising impedance rings for measuring impedance, wherein the recorder is further configured for receiving the impedance measurements.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising an ultrasound transducer for making ultrasound measurements, wherein the recorder is further configured for receiving the ultrasound measurements.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising an event marker button on the recorder for marking an event in time.

15. The system of claim 8 further comprising a computer interface for interfacing the recorder to a computer.