Surgical Drain with Sensors for Monitoring Internal Tissue Condition

• US 20060217684A1
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photosonics Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alfred E MANN Institute For Biomedical Engineering At The University of Southern California, University of Southern California
• Inventors: Shehada, Ramez Emile Necola, Jabbour, Nicolas
• Granted Patent: US 7,241,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/541
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/228 Sensors with optical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• 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 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/918 for multiple suction locations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/95 with sensors for exudate composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

The present invention is directed to devices and methods of using a surgical drain, and more particularly to a surgical drain having at least one sensor for monitoring and/or recording the condition of the anatomical site or fluid emitted from the site where the surgical drain is placed. The invention may also include modifications of the surgical drain to improve stabilization or immobilization in the proximity of the anatomical site to be monitored.

Claims

1. A surgical drain comprising:

an elongated conduit configured to be implanted in and to drain fluid from a body cavity, the elongated conduit including a first surface located on an outer side of the elongated conduit;

a drain portion configured to rest against a substantial length of tissue within the body cavity;

a plurality of drain holes spaced along substantially the entire length of the drain portion; and

a first sensing system configured to sense a physiological property of tissue proximate to the first surface, the first sensing system including a component that is affixed to the conduit.

2. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the component is embedded in the conduit.

3. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the component includes a sensor.

4. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the component includes an optical fiber.

5. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the physiological property sensed is selected from the group comprising:

temperature, oxygenation, perfusion, pH, NADH levels, biochemical composition, drug concentration, turgidity or pressure.

6. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the first sensing system detects the level of oxygenation of the tissue.

7. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the sensing system detects the hemoglobin content in the tissue.

8. The surgical drain of claim 1, further including a transmitting element configured to deliver energy to the tissue proximate to the first surface.

9. The surgical drain of claim 1, comprising a second sensing system configured to detect a physiological property in tissue proximate to the conduit that is different from the physiological property sensed by the first sensing system.

10. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the first sensing system is embedded within the conduit behind material that is optically transparent.

11. The surgical drain of claim 1, further including a display configured to depict data corresponding to the physiological property sensed by the first sensing system.

12. The surgical drain of claim 1, wherein the conduit includes a second surface located on an outer side of the conduit and, further including a second sensing system configured to sense the same physiological property of tissue proximate to the second surface.

13. The surgical drain of claim 1, further including a processing system in communication with the first and second sensing system configured compares a difference between the physiological property sensed by the first and second sensing systems.

14. A surgical drain system comprising:

an elongated conduit configured to be implanted in and to drain fluid from a body cavity, the elongated conduit including a first surface located on an outer side of the elongated conduit and a second surface located on an outer side of the elongated conduit;

a first sensing system configured to sense a physiological property of tissue proximate to the first outer surface;

a second sensing system configured to sense the same physiological property of tissue proximate to the second outer surface; and

a processing system in communication with the first and second sensing system that compares a difference between the physiological property sensed by the first and second sensing systems.