Blood contacting sensor

• US 7,468,033 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2004
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shah, Rajiv, Hoss, Udo, Enegren, Bradley J., Mastrototaro, John J., Zhang, Yanan, Van Antwerp, Nannette M., Wang, Jenn-Hann, Clark, Kent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MALLARI, PATRICIA C
• Application Number:
  US10/935,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 604/6.08, 600/348, 600/364
• US Class Current: 600/309
• 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 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150755 Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150862 intermediate range, e.g. within room or building
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150992 Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings, valves tubing connectors and couplings A61M39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/153 Devices specially adapted for taking samples of venous or arterial blood, e.g. with syringes

Abstract

The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood. The apparatus is particularly suited for bringing a sensor into direct contact with blood in vivo. The apparatus comprises a sensor that detects the presence of an analyte and an assembly means. The assembly means has a sensor end, wherein the sensor end of the assembly means is affixed to the sensor, and the assembly means is adapted for coupling with a venous flow device. By coupling with a venous flow device, the assembly means brings the sensor into direct contact with blood flowing through the venous flow device. Examples of venous flow devices that bring the sensor into direct contact with the blood of a subject include, but are not limited to, intravenous catheters and external blood loops, such as are used in extra corporeal membrane oxygenation or hemodialysis.

Claims

1. A method of introducing a sensor into the circulating blood of a subject comprising contacting a venous flow device with the circulating blood of the subject and introducing an apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood into the venous flow device, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor that detects the presence of an analyte; and

an assembly means having a sensor end and an exterior face, wherein the sensor is affixed to the sensor end of the assembly means, and the assembly means is adapted for coupling with the venous flow device,

wherein the sensor contacts the circulating blood of the subject as the blood flows through the venous flow device; and

the venous flow device comprises a blood loop having a port adapted to receive the apparatus, wherein the blood loop further comprises a second port adapted to receive an alignment means, and wherein the method further comprises introducing the alignment means into the blood loop from a side opposing the port adapted to receive the apparatus prior to introducing the apparatus.

2. A method of introducing a sensor into the circulating blood of a subject comprising contacting a venous flow device with the circulating blood of the subject and introducing an apparatus for detecting an analyte in blood into the venous flow device, wherein the venous flow device comprises a blood loop, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor that detects the presence of an analyte;

an assembly means having a sensor end and an exterior face, wherein the sensor is affixed to the sensor end of the assembly means, and the assembly means is adapted for coupling with a venous flow device; and

an alignment means;

wherein;

the sensor contacts the circulating blood of the subject as the blood flows through the venous flow device; and

the venous flow device comprises a port adapted to receive the apparatus; and

the method comprises introducing the alignment means into the port prior to or simultaneously with introduction of the apparatus into the port.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the alignment means is removed with the introduction of the apparatus into the venous flow device.