Methods and devices for tissue monitoring

• US 7,753,902 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hebah Noshy Mansour, Ramez Emile Necola Shehada
• Original Assignee: Hebah Noshy Mansour, Ramez Emile Necola Shehada
• Inventors: Mansour, Hebah Noshy, Shehada, Ramez Emile Necola
• Primary Examiner(s): Deak; Leslie R
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARCETICH, ADAM M
• Application Number:
  US11/561,362
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 604/540, 604/541, 604/546, 604/523, 600/562, 600/573, 600/575, 600/578, 600/581, 600/31, 600/309, 600/323, 600/322, 600/324, 600/325, 600/310, 600/473, 600/476, 600/478, 600/479, 600/623, 600500-504, 600/507
• US Class Current: 604/541
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4244 liver
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the physiological parameters of an organ or tissue during and after surgery. The system has a probe and a monitoring unit. In one embodiment the probe includes features for convenient, fixed and releasable attachment to surgical drains without interfering with their normal fluid-draining function while utilizing their suction to enhance the probe-to-tissue interface for improved sensing. An applicator is provided to facilitate such attachment. The monitoring unit which controls the sensors of the probe includes a processor to process, record and display the sensor data. This system may be valuable for monitoring transplanted organs and tissue grafts during the critical postoperative period when most of the clinical complications, such as vascular thrombosis, may occur.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring tissue:

a probe with through openings;

a surgical drain with drainage formations;

an applicator for applying the probe to the surgical drain wherein the applicator is configured to align at least one of the openings of the probe with a drainage formation to establish fluid communication; and

means for attaching the probe to the surgical drain;

wherein the applicator has formations received in the openings to facilitate alignment.

2. A system of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching is a pressure sensitive adhesive between the probe and the surgical drain.

3. A system of claim 1, wherein the drainage formations of the surgical drain are drainage openings.

4. A system of claim 1, wherein the drainage formations of the surgical drain are drainage grooves.

5. A system for monitoring tissue:

a probe with through openings;

a surgical drain with drainage formations;

an applicator for applying the probe to the surgical drain wherein the applicator is adapted to align at least one of the openings of the probe with a drainage formation to establish fluid communication; and

means for attaching the probe to the surgical drain;

wherein the applicator has a U-shaped configuration configured to receive the probe and the surgical drain.

6. A system of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching is a pressure sensitive adhesive between the probe and the surgical drain.

7. A system of claim 5, wherein the drainage formations of the surgical drain are drainage openings.

8. A system of claim 5, wherein the drainage formations of the surgical drain are drainage grooves.

9. A system for monitoring tissue:

a probe with through openings;

a surgical drain with drainage formations;

an applicator for applying the probe to the surgical drain wherein the applicator is configured to align at least one of the openings of the probe with a drainage formation to establish fluid communication; and

means for attaching the probe to the surgical drain;

wherein the applicator has pins that extend into the openings configured to facilitate alignment.

10. A system of claim 9, wherein the means for attaching is a pressure sensitive adhesive between the probe and the surgical drain.

11. A system of claim 9, wherein the drainage formations of the surgical drain are drainage openings.

12. A system of claim 9, wherein the drainage formations of the surgical drain are drainage grooves.