ACCESS DISCONNECT DETECTION USING GLUCOSE

• US 20090105627A1
• Filed: 12/17/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Rohde, Justin B.
• Application Number:
  US12/337,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20090105627A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/4.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02042 Determining blood loss or bleeding, e.g. during a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3653 Interfaces between patient blood circulation and extra-corporal blood circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3656 Monitoring patency or flow at connection sites; Detecting disconnections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/13 with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16836 by sensing tissue properties at the infusion site, e.g. for detecting infiltration detecting tissue temperature for diagnostic purposes A61M39/0247

Abstract

An access disconnect sensor for a patient undergoing extracorporeal blood processing includes an electrochemical fuel cell or sensor to detect blood leakage. The fuel cell includes circuitry for oxidizing glucose in the blood. The sensor also includes a transmitter to send a signal to a remote receiver that the sensor indicates the presence of blood. The circuitry may include a battery or may use electricity generated by the sensor to send a signal indicating a leak of blood or disconnection of the access needle.

Claims

1. A method of detecting blood leakage, the method comprising:

providing a glucose detector;

mounting the detector adjacent an extracorporeal blood processing access site;

taking a baseline reading from the detector on the access site on a patient;

processing the baseline reading and determining a baseline;

monitoring the detector for indications of blood leakage; and

sending a signal if blood is detected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the detector is a glucose monitor or glucose fuel cell.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is sent to a local output device to alert a person or to sound an alarm.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a contrasting material atop the access site.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a current or voltage circuit for detecting glucose and therefore blood.

6. A method for detecting blood leakage at an access site, the method comprising:

providing a fuel cell;

mounting the fuel cell near an access site on a patient;

taking a baseline electrical reading of the access site with the fuel cell;

processing the baseline reading and saving data of the baseline reading;

monitoring the access site during a therapy procedure by taking additional electrical readings; and

sending a signal if a reading indicative of a blood leak is detected.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the baseline electrical reading or the additional readings are indicative of a voltage or a current of the fuel cell.