Surgical fluid monitor

• US 5,492,537 A
• Filed: 05/03/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thierry G. Vancaillie
• Original Assignee: Aquintel, Inc.
• Inventors: Vancaillie, Thierry G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/237,350
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 604/65-67, 604/246, 128/760, 364/413.01, 364/413.02
• US Class Current: 604/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02042 Determining blood loss or bleeding, e.g. during a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/777 Determination of loss or gain of body fluids due to suction-irrigation, e.g. during surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3393 by weighing the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0212 after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0283 with at least two inner passageways, a first one for irrigating and a second for evacuating suction-irrigation systems A61M1/77; aspiration tips with fluid supply means A61M1/85; for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0287 with an external liquid collector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16895 by monitoring weight change, e.g. of infusion container

Abstract

A monitor to provide substantially real-time estimates of fluid absorbed by a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure. The monitor weighs fluid administered to the patient intravenously, as well as that introduced through the endoscope for irrigation purposes. In addition, fluid recovered from the patient, the endoscope, the surgical drapes, and the floor is weighed. The total weight of fluid administered, reduced by automatically subtracting the total weight of fluid recovered, comprises the calculated fluid absorbed. Through manual entries and/or switch settings, totals of fluid administered and fluid collected are computed and maintained even as fluid sources are replaced and the fluid collector is emptied.

Claims

1. A surgical fluid monitor, comprising

weight-sensitive fluid support means for simultaneously suspending and weighing a fluid source and producing a source weight signal indicative of a fluid source weight, said fluid support means comprising at least one solid-state load cell;

an irrigation fluid collector for collecting waste irrigation fluid;

fluid collector scale means coupled to said irrigation fluid collector for weighing said irrigation fluid collector and producing a collector weight signal indicative of an irrigation fluid collector weight;

computing means coupled to said source weight signal and said collector weight signal for calculating a fluid absorbed value, and for producing a display signal indicative of a calculated fluid absorbed value;

coupling means for coupling said computing means to said source weight signal and said collector weight signal; and

display means coupled to said computing means for transducing for human observation a display signal indicative of a calculated fluid absorbed value.

2. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1 wherein said irrigation fluid collector comprises a vacuum port, an endoscope drainage port, a floor drainage port, and an operating table drainage port.

3. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1 wherein said irrigation fluid collector comprises a screen to separate tissue pieces from irrigation fluid drainage.

4. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a digital readout.

5. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a computer monitor screen.

6. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises wireless means.

7. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 6 wherein said wireless means comprises a radio transmitter and receiver.

8. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 6 wherein said wireless means comprises an infrared transmitter and receiver.

9. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 8 wherein said wireless transmitter is battery-powered.