Surgical fluid monitor

• US 5,522,805 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 06/04/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thierry G. Vancaillie
• Original Assignee: Aquintel, Inc.
• Inventors: Newton, David W., Vancaillie, Thierry G., Mitchiner, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANOVER, PERRY
• Application Number:
  US08/484,877
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 604/65-67, 604/31, 604/4, 604/246, 128/760, 128/766, 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 1/77 Suction-irrigation systems aspiration tips supplying fluids A61M1/85; specific for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463
• 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 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• 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 2210/1433 Uterus
• 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 3/0241 the liquid being supplied by gravity
• 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 comprises means for weighing fluid administered to the patient intravenously, as well as that introduced through the endoscope for irrigation purposes. In addition, means are provided for weighing fluid recovered from the patient, the endoscope, and the surgical drapes. The total weight of fluid administered, reduced by subtracting the total weight of fluid recovered, comprises the calculated fluid absorbed. Through manual entries and/or switch settings, computing means maintain totals of fluid administered and fluid collected even as fluid sources are replaced and the fluid collector is emptied. Optional verticality compensation means and anti-rotation devices are included.

Claims

1. A surgical fluid monitor, comprising

at least one weight-sensitive fluid source support for simultaneously suspending and weighing a fluid source and producing a fluid source weight signal indicative of fluid source weight;

at least one weight-sensitive waste fluid collector support for simultaneously suspending and weighing a waste fluid collector and producing a waste fluid collector weight signal indicative of waste fluid collector weight;

verticality compensation means to correct indicated fluid source weight and fluid collector weight;

computing means coupled to said verticality compensation means, to said fluid source weight signal, and to said waste fluid collector weight signal for calculating an estimated fluid absorbed value, and for producing a display signal indicative of a corrected estimated fluid absorbed value; and

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

2. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1 wherein said at least one weight-sensitive fluid support and said weight-sensitive waste fluid collector support comprise at least one solid-state load cell.

3. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 2 further comprising a shock-absorbing spacer in-line with said solid-state load cell.

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 computing means coupling 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 6 wherein said wireless means is battery-powered.

10. The surgical fluid monitor of claim 1, additionally comprising at least one anti-rotation device.

11. A surgical fluid monitor, comprising

at least one weight-sensitive fluid source support for simultaneously suspending and weighing a fluid source and producing a fluid source weight signal indicative of fluid source weight;

a weight-sensitive waste fluid collector support for simultaneously suspending and weighing a waste fluid collector and producing a waste fluid collector weight signal indicative of waste fluid collector weight;

at least one anti-rotation device coupled to said fluid source support and to said fluid collector support;

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

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

12. A weight-sensitive fluid source support, comprising

at least one support arm, each said support arm having a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum contact point between said first end and said second end, said first end comprising a hook for supporting a weight load, and said second end comprising a pivot bearing about which said support arm can rotate;

a support arm frame, comprising at least one pivot bearing shaft for reversibly coupling each said support arm pivot bearing so that said support arm can rotate about said at least one pivot bearing shaft;

a force-sensitive device between each said fulcrum contact point and said support arm frame, said force-sensitive device experiencing a substantially compressive load when said support arm supports a weight load.

13. The weight-sensitive fluid source support of claim 12, comprising at least one pair of substantially parallel, oppositely oriented support arms.

14. The weight-sensitive fluid source support of claim 13, comprising two pairs of substantially parallel, oppositely oriented support arms.

15. A surgical fluid monitor, comprising

at least one passive fluid source hook for suspending a fluid source;

at least one waste fluid collector bracket for supporting a waste fluid collector;

a weight-sensitive fluid support column for simultaneously supporting said at least one passive fluid source hook and said at least one waste fluid collector bracket and for producing a combined weight signal indicative of a sum of weight suspended from said at least one passive fluid source hook plus weight supported by said at least one waste fluid collector bracket;

verticality compensation means to correct indicated fluid source weight and fluid collector weight;

computing means coupled to said verticality compensation means and to said weight-sensitive fluid support column combined weight signal for calculating an estimated fluid absorbed value, and for producing a display signal indicative of a corrected estimated fluid absorbed value; and

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