Body fluid drainage system
First Claim
1. A body fluid drainage system, comprising:
- a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes an inlet configured to be implanted into a patient and in fluid communication with a site of excess body fluid within the patient;
a pressure sensor spaced apart from the site of excess body fluid, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure within the catheter;
a reference line comprisinga tube having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
an end cap at the first end portion, wherein the end cap is configured to be positioned at least proximate to the site of excess body fluid and external to the site of excess body fluid; and
a reference fluid in the tube, the reference fluid having a predetermined density, wherein the reference line is configured to provide a pressure head between the site of excess body fluid and the pressure sensor; and
a controller operatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the reference line, wherein the controller is configured to derive pressure in the site of excess body fluid via the pressure sensor and the reference line.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Drainage systems for excess body fluids and associated methods are disclosed herein. A body fluid drainage system in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a catheter that has an exterior surface, a proximal portion, and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion. The body fluid drainage system can further include a valve device, a pressure sensor, and a controller operatively coupled to the valve device and the pressure sensor. The valve device can include an actuator positioned over the exterior surface of the catheter. The actuator is movable between an open position that allows body fluid flow through the catheter, a closed position that at least substantially obstructs the body fluid flow through the catheter, and intermediate positions that partially obstruct the body fluid flow through the catheter. The controller can change the position of the actuator in response to a predetermined condition of the pressure sensor.
-
Citations
45 Claims
-
1. A body fluid drainage system, comprising:
-
a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes an inlet configured to be implanted into a patient and in fluid communication with a site of excess body fluid within the patient; a pressure sensor spaced apart from the site of excess body fluid, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure within the catheter; a reference line comprising a tube having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; an end cap at the first end portion, wherein the end cap is configured to be positioned at least proximate to the site of excess body fluid and external to the site of excess body fluid; and a reference fluid in the tube, the reference fluid having a predetermined density, wherein the reference line is configured to provide a pressure head between the site of excess body fluid and the pressure sensor; and a controller operatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the reference line, wherein the controller is configured to derive pressure in the site of excess body fluid via the pressure sensor and the reference line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
13. A body fluid drainage system, comprising:
-
a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes an inlet configured to be implanted into a patient and in fluid communication with a site of excess body fluid within the patient; a pressure sensor spaced apart from the site of excess body fluid, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure within the catheter; a reference line comprising a tube having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the tube is configured to be at least partially filled with a liquid; and an end cap at the first end portion, wherein the end cap is configured to be positioned proximate to the site of excess body fluid, wherein the reference line is configured to provide a pressure head between the site of excess body fluid and the pressure sensor; and a controller operatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the reference line, wherein the controller is configured to derive pressure in the site of excess body fluid via the pressure sensor and the reference line. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
-
Specification