Method for measuring pressure inside an anatomical fluid system

• US 7,647,831 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings Ii S.A.R.L.
• Original Assignee: CardioMEMS Incorporated
• Inventors: Berr, Miguel Luis, Corcoran, Kevin, Cros, Florent
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo; Lisa M
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, JERMAINE L
• Application Number:
  US11/876,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20080092663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 73700-756, 3612831-2834
• US Class Current: 73/700
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372

Abstract

A disclosed method determines fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromising the integrity of the vessel. A sensor is positioned in operative communication with the external wall of the vessel such that expansion of the external wall of the vessel exerts a force against the sensor that is directed substantially radially outward with respect to the vessel. A substantially radially inward force is caused to be directed against the sensor in response to the substantially radially outward force exerted by the external vessel wall. The sensor can thus be used to detect the magnitude of the substantially radially outward force.

A disclosed apparatus determines fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromising the integrity of the vessel. The apparatus includes a sensor and a band operatively associated with the sensor and configured to at least partially encircle the vessel so as to retain the sensor in operative communication against the external wall of the vessel.

Claims

1. A method for determining fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromising the integrity of the vessel, comprising the steps of:

positioning a sensor in operative communication with the external wall of the vessel such that expansion of the external wall of the vessel exerts a force against the sensor that is directed substantially radially outward with respect to the vessel;

causing a substantially radially inward force to be directed against the sensor in response to the substantially radially outward force exerted by the external vessel wall which further comprises the step of inserting the sensor between the external wall of the vessel and an adjacent body of tissue; and

using the sensor to detect the magnitude of the substantially radially outward force.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vessel is an artery, and wherein the step of inserting the sensor between the external wall of the vessel and an adjacent body of tissue comprises the step of inserting the sensor just below the adventitia of the artery but outside the media of the artery.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vessel is an aneurysm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vessel runs through the visceral pericardium, and wherein the step of inserting the sensor between the external wall of the vessel and an adjacent body of tissue comprises the step of inserting the sensor outside the vessel and within the visceral pericardium.