Capillary filtration and collection method for long-term monitoring of blood constituents
First Claim
1. A method for continuous long term monitoring of the blood level of a physiological constituent of blood, comprising the steps of:
- implanting a porous membrane filter within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries;
filtering an ultrafiltrate of blood from the capillaries by exerting a negative pressure withdrawal force on the porous membrane filter so as to cause the ultrafiltrate to flow from the capillaries through the filter at a desired flow rate;
collecting the ultrafiltrate in a reservoir located externally of the body; and
assaying the ultrafiltrate to measure a desired physiological constituent thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for long term monitoring of the blood level of various blood constituents. The monitoring is accomplished by capillary filtration and collection of an ultrafiltrate of blood. Filtration of the ultrafiltrate occurs through a filter composed of hollow fibers which are implanted within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries. The ultrafiltrate is drawn through the filter and into an ultrafiltrate collector which extends externally of the body. The collector provides a vacuum for withdrawing the ultrafiltrate and holds discrete liquid samples of the ultrafiltrate. The method and device is particularly suited for long term monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients or other blood chemical constituents in other patients.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for continuous long term monitoring of the blood level of a physiological constituent of blood, comprising the steps of:
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implanting a porous membrane filter within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries; filtering an ultrafiltrate of blood from the capillaries by exerting a negative pressure withdrawal force on the porous membrane filter so as to cause the ultrafiltrate to flow from the capillaries through the filter at a desired flow rate; collecting the ultrafiltrate in a reservoir located externally of the body; and assaying the ultrafiltrate to measure a desired physiological constituent thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification