Pressure sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pressure sensor comprising:
- a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a window exposing the interior of the tubular member to the exterior of the tubular member wherein the proximal end of the tubular member is sealed;
a column of ferrofluid partially filling the interior of the tubular member, the ferrofluid column capable of movement within the tubular member in response to external pressure exerted at the window of the tubular member;
a gaseous column filling the remainder of the interior of the tubular member from the proximal end of the tubular member to the column of ferrofluid; and
a transducer coupled to the tubular member for detecting the movement of the ferrofluid column in the tubular member and converting the detection to a signal proportional to the external pressure exerted at the window.
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Abstract
A pressure sensor having a tubular member partially filled with a ferrofluid column and partially filled with air, with an electrically conductive coil wrapped around the tubular member. When in use, the coil has alternating current running therethrough and the voltage across the coil is monitored. Physiologic pressure variations result in proportional variations in the position of the ferrofluid/air interface relative to the coil. This results in proportional changes in the coil voltage due to the change in coil inductance. The pressure sensor is compact and can be incorporated into many devices including a guide wire.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A pressure sensor comprising:
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a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a window exposing the interior of the tubular member to the exterior of the tubular member wherein the proximal end of the tubular member is sealed; a column of ferrofluid partially filling the interior of the tubular member, the ferrofluid column capable of movement within the tubular member in response to external pressure exerted at the window of the tubular member; a gaseous column filling the remainder of the interior of the tubular member from the proximal end of the tubular member to the column of ferrofluid; and a transducer coupled to the tubular member for detecting the movement of the ferrofluid column in the tubular member and converting the detection to a signal proportional to the external pressure exerted at the window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A pressure sensing system comprising:
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a percutaneous transluminal device having an elongated shaft and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s vessel; a pressure sensor coupled to the transluminal device for converting pressure at the distal end of the transluminal device into electrical signals, the pressure sensor including a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a window exposing the interior of the tubular member to the exterior of the tubular member, a column of ferrofluid partially filling the interior of the tubular member, the ferrofluid column capable of movement within the tubular member in response to external pressure exerted at the window of the tubular member, a transducer coupled to the tubular member for detecting the movement of the ferrofluid column in the tubular member and converting the detection to an electrical signal proportional to the pressure exerted at the window; and processing circuitry coupled to the pressure sensor for processing the electrical signals and coupling the processed signals to a peripheral device, the peripheral device generating a representation of the pressure occurring at the distal end of the transluminal device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of obtaining information about a patient'"'"'s anatomy comprising the steps of:
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providing a pressure sensor including a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a window exposing the interior of the tubular member to the exterior of the tubular member;
a column of ferrofluid partially filling the tubular member, the ferrofluid column capable of movement within the tubular member in response to pressure exerted at the window of the tubular member; and
a transducer for converting the movement of the ferrofluid column in the member into a signal proportional to the pressure exerted at the window;inserting the pressure sensor into the patient'"'"'s vessel; positioning the window of the pressure sensor at a desired location; applying a constant drive current to the transducer; measuring the voltage across the transducer of the pressure sensor; converting the measured voltage into a pressure value; and displaying the pressure value. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A pressure sensing system comprising:
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a percutaneous transluminal device having an elongated shaft and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s vessel; and a pressure sensor coupled to said transluminal device, said pressure sensor having a column of ferrofluid which is subjected to the pressure at the distal end of the transluminal device and moves in response to that pressure, the pressure sensor also having a detector which detects movement of the ferrofluid and converts that detection to an electrical signal.
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Specification