Sensors for detecting substances indicative of stroke, ischemia, or myocardial infarction

• US 7,769,420 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Darius F. Mostowfi, James H. Silver
• Original Assignee: Darius F. Mostowfi, James H. Silver
• Inventors: Mostowfi, Darius F., Silver, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser; Robert L
• Application Number:
  US11/280,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,721 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/345
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14528 invasively
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6862 Stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

A sensor is disclosed, for implantation within a blood vessel to monitor a substance in or property of blood. In one embodiment, the sensor detects nitric oxide or a nitric oxide metabolite. In another embodiment, other substances such as glutamate, aspartate, arginine, citrulline, acetylcholine, calcium, potassium, or dopamine are monitored. The sensor may be attached to a support structure such as a stent, guidewire, or catheter. In a further embodiment, a catheter is disclosed that extracts patient fluid to a sensor outside the body for monitoring a substance or property of the patient fluid. Methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of assessing cerebral vasculature status in a patient, comprising the steps of:

positioning a sensor in communication with a body fluid;

determining in a processor a baseline concentration of an indicator of the presence of NO or an NO metabolite;

monitoring changes from the baseline indicative of the cerebral vascular status; and

activating a signal in response to a change from the baseline by more than a predetermined limit.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the positioning step comprises positioning a sensor in communication with blood.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the positioning step comprises positioning a sensor in communication with cerebral spinal fluid.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the activating a signal step comprises activating an alarm.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein the activating an alarm step comprises activating an audio alarm.

6. A method as in claim 4, wherein the activating an alarm step comprises activating a visual alarm.

7. A method as in claim 4, wherein the activating an alarm step comprises activating a tactile feedback alarm.

8. A method as in claim 4, wherein the activating a signal step comprises activating a transmission of information to a remote location.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the activating a signal step comprises activating a signal to commence a responsive therapy to the patient.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein the activating a signal step is accomplished in response to a change in the concentration per second from the baseline by about 0.01% to about 100% per second.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein the activating a signal step is accomplished in response to a change from the baseline by more than about 10% to about 100,000%.