Apparatus and Method for Medical Measurement

• US 20070179400A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laborie Medical Technologies, Corp. (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Laborie Medical Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Dijkman, Gerrat
• Granted Patent: US 7,959,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/561
• 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 5/02158 provided with two or more sensor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/205 Determining bladder or urethral pressure

Abstract

A measuring device for medical applications in at least one exemplary embodiment includes a first part provided with measuring means for measuring data of a patient, and a second part provided with communication means for sending the data. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second part is connected to and preferably enclosed within the first part.

Claims

1. A measuring device for medical application, comprising a first part provided with measuring means for measuring data of a patient, and a second part provided with communication means for sending the data, wherein the second part is, during use, connected to and preferably enclosed within the first part.

2. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means are wireless.

3. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first part is a disposable article.

4. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first part comprises a housing having closing means through which the second part can be introduced into said housing and closing off said housing around said second part.

5. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first part comprises at least one catheter for measuring pressure in a bodily cavity, pressure measurement means being provided connected to said second part when the second part is connected to and preferably enclosed within said first part.

6. The measuring device according claim 1, wherein the first part comprises first connectors, the second part being provided with second connectors for establishing electrical contact between the first and second parts upon introduction of the second part in the first part.

7. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first part is provided with an electrical circuit, preferably a chip, for control of the first and/or second part.

8. The measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the circuit has a counter for timing a period after introduction of the second part into the first part, during which period the device is in an operational state, the circuit being designed to bring the device out of said operational state after said period or upon removal of the second part from the first part.

9. The measuring device according to claim 7, wherein said circuit is designed to allow use of the first part only once.

10. The measuring device according to claim 7, wherein said circuit is designed for comprising information about at least:

data to be measured; and

/or

measuring apparatuses attached to the first part, such as catheters with pressure sensing means; and

/or

the second part to be inserted into said first part.

11. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second part are provided with first and second locking means respectively, such that only a second part can be inserted into a first part if the first and second part have compatible first and second locking means.

12. The measuring device according to claim 11, wherein each catheter is manufactured independent of said first part and is connected to said pressure chamber, undetachably.

13. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises:

at least one pressure chamber on or in said first part,

at least one catheter connected to said at least one pressure chamber,

a pressure sensor being provided within or connected to said pressure chamber, such that during use pressure in a fluid within said pressure chamber can be measured with said pressure sensor, resulting in data to be communicated by said communication means.

14. The measuring device according to claim 13, wherein said pressure chamber is provided with at least one pressure relief opening, provided with a one-way valve, positioned such that fluid can be introduced past said valve into said pressure chamber but not in the opposite direction, wherein prior to use of the device the pressure relief valve is brought into an opened state such that the pressure chamber is in free communication with the environment of the device.

15. The measuring device according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the second part and the first part are provided with an electronic circuit for resetting the at least one pressure sensor when said pressure relief valve is in said opened state.

18. A method for manufacturing a measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second part are manufactured, whereupon the second part is sent to a user and the first part is sent to a supplier of catheters, who connects a number of catheters to said first part, after which the first part with the catheters is sterilized and is sent to said user, said user introducing said second part into said first part.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein in the first part a first electronic circuit is provided which is loaded with information of at least the catheters and/or the manufacturer of said catheters, wherein the second part is connected with a second electronic circuit which is loaded with information about the user, whereas the first and second part are connected such that the first and second circuit exchange said information.

16. A method for measuring pressure in a bodily cavity using at least one catheter having a sensor, comprising the steps of:

sterilizing said at least one catheter, connected to a first part of a measuring device together with said first part;

inserting a second part into said first part, such that said second part is fully enclosed within said first part, said second part being provided with communication means for transmitting data received from said at least one sensor to recording and/or analyzing means.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

collecting data with said at least one sensor and transmitting said data by said communication means;

opening said first part and disconnecting said second part from said first part;

discarding said first part and preparing said second part for reuse.