Protective matrix for intracorporeal biosensors that improves gastrointestinal leak detection, detects air leaks after lung surgery, and measures cardiac output after heart surgery

• US 9,955,896 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2013
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: DeArmond, Daniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCrosky, David J
• Application Number:
  US13/934,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: 607139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter

Abstract

The system and method may measure and monitor physiological changes in a body. In some embodiments, the system and method may measure the impedance at a site in the body. In some embodiments, the system and method identify, quantify, and localize leaks from a site following surgery, measure cardiac contractility, or lung compliance. In an embodiment, the system includes a measuring device with one or more sensors embedded in a porous matrix. Changes in the electrical properties of one or more sensors may be used to determine the presence of leaks from a site following surgery, measure cardiac contractility, or lung compliance, depending on the position of the device.

Claims

1. A physiological change monitoring system comprising:

a saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is configured to be positionable in an opening in a body during use, and wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix comprises a saline solution absorbed within a porous polymeric foam matrix;

a plurality of electrodes disposed in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix;

a resistance measuring device coupled to the electrodes, wherein the resistance measuring device determines a change in the resistance between at least two of the electrodes

a container, the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix being positioned in the container; and

a balloon positioned in the container, wherein inflation of the balloon compresses the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is positionable proximate an organ.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline leaves the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix during compression of the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix and the saline leaving the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is contained by the container.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are positioned in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix such that the distance between the electrodes changes as the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is compressed or expanded.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are coupled to a substrate positioned within the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is moldable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix has a shape that allows the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix to be disposed in a portion of a human esophagus.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix has a shape that allows the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix to be disposed proximate to a portion of a lung.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix has a shape that allows the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix to be disposed in a portion of a gastrointestinal tract.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix has a shape that allows the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix to be disposed in a portion of a stomach.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix has a shape that allows the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix to be disposed proximate to a portion of a heart.

12. A method of monitoring physiological changes in a body comprising:

inserting a monitoring device in an opening of the body, wherein the monitoring device comprises;

a saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix, wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix is configured to be positionable in an opening in a body during use, and wherein the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix comprises a saline solution absorbed within a porous polymeric foam matrix;

a plurality of electrodes disposed in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix; and

a resistance measuring device coupled to the electrodes, wherein the resistance measuring device determines a change in the resistance between at least two of the electrodes;

adjusting the baseline resistance between at least two of the electrodes by altering the amount of saline in the saline-impregnated porous polymeric foam matrix by removing saline from the foam using a suction catheter; and

monitoring the resistance between two or more of the electrodes.