Multiple channel perfused manometry apparatus and a method of operation of such a device
First Claim
1. A perfused manometry apparatus comprising a manometric line assembly having a plurality of channels therein with each channel terminating towards an operative end of the manometric line assembly at an opening in the line at a selected distance along the line, a manifold including a plurality of outlets for supplying a manometric infusate under pressure to each of the channels via the outlets at a manifold end of the manometric line assembly and the transducer associated with each channel to measure the pressure in each of the channels, the manifold including a flushing gas inlet to allow for to introduction of a flushing gas into the manifold and a infusate inlet to allow for introduction of the manometric infusate into the manifold, the first inlet means being connected with a source of flushing gas and the second inlet means being in connection with a source of manometric infusate under pressure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for multiple channel perfused gastrointestinal manometry particularly useful for animals and small children which avoids errors in pressure measurement due to air bubbles, particularly micro- bubbles in the channels. Achieved by the use of a carbon dioxide flush of the apparatus to displace the air bubbles in the manifold and manometry lines. The carbon dioxide is subsequently dissolved in the subsequent flow of manometric infusate.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A perfused manometry apparatus comprising a manometric line assembly having a plurality of channels therein with each channel terminating towards an operative end of the manometric line assembly at an opening in the line at a selected distance along the line, a manifold including a plurality of outlets for supplying a manometric infusate under pressure to each of the channels via the outlets at a manifold end of the manometric line assembly and the transducer associated with each channel to measure the pressure in each of the channels, the manifold including a flushing gas inlet to allow for to introduction of a flushing gas into the manifold and a infusate inlet to allow for introduction of the manometric infusate into the manifold, the first inlet means being connected with a source of flushing gas and the second inlet means being in connection with a source of manometric infusate under pressure.
- 15. A method of flushing a perfused manometry apparatus to remove air bubbles before introduction of a manometric infusate, the perfused manometry apparatus comprising a manometric line assembly having a plurality of channels therein with each channel terminating towards an operative end of the manometric line assembly at an opening in the line at a selected distance along the line, a manifold including a plurality of outlets for supplying a manometric infusate under pressure to each of the channels via the outlets at a manifold end of the manometric line assembly and the transducer associated with each channel to measure the pressure in each of the channels, the manifold including a flushing gas inlet to allow for introduction of a flushing gas into the manifold and a infusate inlet to allow for introduction of the manometric infusate into the manifold, the first inlet means being connected with a source of flushing gas and the second inlet means being in connection with a source of manometric infusate under pressure, the method comprising the steps of allowing a flow of the flushing gas through the first inlet into the manifold and subsequently into the transducers and into the channels of the manometric line assembly to exit out of the openings, stopping the flow of the flushing gas, and allowing a flow of manometric infusate into the manifold to replace the flushing gas throughout the apparatus, whereby any remaining the flushing gas is dissolved in the manometric infusate and carried out of the opening by the flow of infusate.
Specification