Leak point wetness sensor for urological investigation

• US 5,862,804 A
• Filed: 07/08/1997
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andco Tek, Inc. (SRS Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andco Tek, Inc. (SRS Medical Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ketchum, Gary T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/889,781
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 128/885, 128/886, 128/DIG. 25, 340/539, 340/573, 340/604, 340/620
• US Class Current: 128/885
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/48 Devices for preventing wetting or pollution of the bed

Abstract

A leakpoint wetness sensor for urological investigations including an instrument having a passage therethrough to pass a catheter intended for insertion into the bladder through the urethra. A temperature sensitive reference sensor mounted to the body and exposed to and responsive to ambient temperature. A receptacle in the body so disposed and arranged to receive liquid which leaks from the urethra past the catheter. A temperature sensitive detector sensor mounted to the body where it will be contacted by the leaked liquid and detector sensor being responsive to the temperature of the liquid. A circuit device is responsive to outputs from the sensors to provide a response reflective of a difference between the temperatures when the detector sensor is wetted by leaked liquid.

Claims

1. A leakpoint wetness sensor for urological investigations, comprising:

an instrument body having a passage therethrough to pass a catheter intended for insertion into the bladder through the urethra;

a temperature sensitive reference sensor mounted to the body, exposed to and responsive to ambient temperature;

a receptacle in said body so disposed and arranged as to receive liquid which leaks from the urethra past the catheter;

a temperature sensitive detector sensor mounted to said body where it will be contacted by said leaked liquid, said detector sensor being responsive to the temperature of said liquid;

circuitry responsive to outputs from said sensors to provide a response reflective of a difference between the temperatures when said detector sensor is wetted by said leaked liquid; and

signal means responsive to said last-named response to indicate the presence of leaked liquid in the receptacle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said detector sensor is disposed in said receptacle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which drainage channels extend from said receptacle to the outside of said body to drain liquid from the receptacle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said circuitry includes a differential amplifier.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said signal means comprises a visible source.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said signal means comprises an audible source.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which recorder records related data when wetness is detected.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said reference sensor and detector sensor are thermistors.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said detector sensor is disposed in said receptacle, and in which drainage channels extend from said receptacle to the outside of said body to drain liquid from the receptacle.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said circuit means includes a differential amplifier.