PRESSURE SENSING DEVICES

• US 20060211944A1
• Filed: 04/11/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Switzerland Sàrl
• Original Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Dextradeur, Alan, Mauge, Christophe, Meyer, Stefan, McCusker, Daniel, Boedecker, Volker, Ostermeier, Max
• Granted Patent: US 10,362,947 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/488
• 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 5/031 Intracranial pressure

Abstract

A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided.

Claims

1. A pressure sensing catheter, comprising:

an elongate body having

an inner lumen extending at least partially therethrough,

a distal portion including a pressure sensor, at least a portion of the pressure sensor being exposed to an external environment surrounding the elongate body such that the pressure sensor is effective to measure a pressure of the external environment,

at least one fluid-entry port formed in the elongate body proximal to the pressure sensor, the at least one fluid-entry port being in fluid communication with the inner lumen, and

an antenna coupled to the pressure sensor and adapted to communicate a measured pressure from the pressure sensor to an external device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the exposed portion of the pressure sensor includes a biocompatible fluid-impermeable coating disposed thereon.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the biocompatible fluid-impermeable coating is disposed on the pressure sensor and the antenna such that the pressure sensor and the antenna are fluid-impermeable.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a coil, and wherein the coil is coupled to the pressure sensor by a connector.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the coil is disposed around the elongate body.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the coil is embedded within the elongate body.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the coil is adapted to be positioned a distance apart from the elongate body.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is mated to an external surface of the distal portion of the elongate body.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed within a recess formed in an external surface of the elongate body.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is embedded within the elongate body, and wherein the elongate body includes an opening formed therein for exposing at least a portion of the pressure sensor to an external environment.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is embedded within a distal tip of the elongate body, and wherein a portion of the pressure sensor protrudes beyond the distal tip of the elongate body to measure a pressure of an external environment.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed within the inner lumen of the elongate body, and wherein the elongate body includes an opening formed therein for exposing at least a portion of the pressure sensor to an external environment.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes a second inner lumen extending therethrough, and wherein the pressure sensor is disposed within the second inner lumen of the elongate body, the elongate body including an opening formed therein and extending into the second inner lumen for exposing at least a portion of the pressure sensor to an external environment.

14. A ventricular catheter for measuring intra-ventricular pressure, comprising:

an elongate body having an inner lumen extending therethrough, at least one fluid-entry port formed therein and in fluid communication with the inner lumen, and a distal end having a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure of an environment surrounding the elongate body; and

an antenna coupled to the pressure sensor and adapted to communicate a measured pressure from the pressure sensor to an external device.

15. The ventricular catheter of claim 14, further comprising a biocompatible fluid-impermeable coating disposed on the pressure sensor and the antenna such that the pressure sensor and the antenna are fluid-impermeable

16. The ventricular catheter of claim 14, wherein the coil is embedded within a sidewall of the elongate body.

17. The ventricular catheter of claim 14, wherein the antenna is spaced a distance apart from the elongate body, and wherein a connector extends between the antenna and the pressure sensor.

18. The ventricular catheter of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed within a distal tip of the elongate body, and wherein at least a portion of the pressure sensor is exposed to an external environment surrounding the elongate body.

19. A ventricular catheter, comprising:

an elongate body having an inner lumen extending therethrough and terminating just proximal to a distal end, and at least one port formed in a sidewall thereof and extending into the inner lumen;

a sensor assembly coupled to an external surface of the elongate body and including a pressure sensor and an antenna spaced a distance apart from the pressure sensor.

20. The ventricular catheter of claim 19, further comprising a coating disposed around the sensor assembly such that the sensor assembly is fluid-impermeable.

21. The ventricular catheter of claim 19, wherein the antenna comprises a coil disposed around the elongate body.

22. The ventricular catheter of claim 19, wherein the antenna comprises a coil that is positioned at distance apart from the elongate body.