Pressure monitoring system to prevent aneurismal sac rupture

• US 7,044,920 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Letort, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/422,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20040215100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 600/488, 600/486, 600/500, 600/505, 600/302, 600/561, 709/223, 709/224, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/561
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02014 Determining aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00

Abstract

An abdominal aortic aneurysm pressure monitoring system comprising at least one pressure sensor positioned in an aneurismal sac which optionally may be excluded from direct arterial pressure by an already implanted stent graft, at least one pressure sensor positioned in an abdominal region of the body at a location outside of the aneurismal sac, a controller in communication with the pressure sensors, where a pressure gradient between the abdominal region and the aneurismal sac is determined based on the pressures communicated to the controller from the aneurismal sac and abdominal region pressure sensors.

Claims

1. An abdominal aortic aneurysm pressure monitoring system for an aortic aneurysm in an arterial system, comprising:

at least one pressure sensor positioned in an aneurismal sac of a body;

at least one pressure sensor positioned in an abdominal region of the body at a location outside of the aneurismal sac; and

a controller in communication with the pressure sensors, wherein a pressure gradient outside the arterial system between the abdominal region and the aneurismal sac is determined based on the pressures communicated to the controller from the aneurismal sac and abdominal region pressure sensors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is positioned within a body.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is in wireless communication with the sensors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each sensor has an assigned IP address.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with a computer or a computer network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with a computer or a computer network via a radio frequency interface.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein pressure data communicated from the controller to the computer network is stored in the computer network.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein a warning signal is sent in response to a pressure gradient target being met from the controller or computer in communication with the controller.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the abdominal sensor is positioned at a level of the retro peritoneum.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a micropump positioned to relieve pressure to the aneurismal sac in response to a pressure gradient target being exceeded.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure gradient is determined at the controller or computer.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a stent graft implanted in the aneurismal sac of a body, wherein the at least one pressure sensor positioned in the aneurismal sac of the body is located outside the stent graft.

13. A method for monitoring an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an arterial system, the method comprising:

sensing pressure in an aneurismal sac of a body;

sensing pressure in an abdominal region of the body, the abdominal region being outside of the aneurismal sac; and

determining a pressure gradient outside the arterial system based on the sensed abdominal region pressure and the sensed aneurismal sac pressure.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

sending the sensed abdominal region and aneurismal sac pressures over a wireless network.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

storing the determined gradient in a memory in communication with the wireless network.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

sending a warning signal when the determined gradient meets a pre-set limit.

17. A system for monitoring an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an arterial system, comprising:

means for sensing pressure in an aneurismal sac of a body;

means for sensing pressure in an abdominal region of the body located outside of the aneurismal sac; and

means for determining a pressure gradient outside the arterial system based on the sensed abdominal region pressure and the sensed aneurismal sac pressure.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

means for sending the sensed abdominal and sac pressures over a wireless network.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

means for sending a warning when the determined gradient meets a pre-set limit.

20. A computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:

computer readable code for receiving a sac pressure from a sac sensor positioned in an aneurismal sac of a body;

computer readable code for receiving an abdomen pressure from an abdominal sensor positioned in an abdominal region of the body outside of the aneurismal sac; and

computer readable code for calculating a pressure gradient outside an arterial system based on the received sac pressure and abdomen pressure.

21. The medium of claim 20, further comprising

computer readable code for comparing the calculated pressure gradient with pre-established parameters;

and

computer readable code for warning appropriate personnel if the pressure gradient exceeds the pre-established parameters.

22. An abdominal aortic aneurysm pressure monitoring system, comprising:

at least one pressure sensor positioned in an aneurismal sac of a body;

at least one pressure sensor positioned in an abdominal region of the body at a location outside of the aneurismal sac;

a controller in communication with the pressure sensors, wherein a pressure gradient between the abdominal region and the aneurismal sac is determined based on the pressures communicated to the controller from the aneurismal sac and abdominal region pressure sensors; and

a micropump positioned to relieve pressure to the aneurismal sac in response to a pressure gradient target being exceeded.