Sierra Medical Technology, Inc.

Other

Medtronic, Inc.

Navius Corporation

Puritan-bennett Corporation

Endosonics Corporation

Erich H Wolf

Ross Tsukashima

Charles Bankert

Leo R Roucher, Jr

Jeffery D Schipper

Eugene J Jung

Thomas A Steinke

Thomas Germain Wallner

Kenneth W Carpenter

Leo R Roucher

Ronald Jay Solar

Glen L Lieber

James D Savage

Robert J Duffy

Charles S Bankert

Samuel D Riccitelli

Mauricio L Fugoso

Christopher L Davis

Richard Hannah

David P Skarshaug

Elmer Custodio

Leo Roucher

Philip L Baddour

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring the breath chemistry of a patient's breath using a specially designed self-condensing sensor module mounted in a mask, nasal cannula, headband with boom apparatus, or similar device for directing the patients' breath towards the self-condensing sensor. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH provided by the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor provides for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values. The specially designed self-condensing sensor module incorporates a data transfer means, e.g. direct wiring or by providing a transmitter with an antenna for wireless transferring of the pH data to a processing receiver. The self-condensing pH sensor comprises a multi-tubular design with the outer tubular member housing a silver chloride reference element, an ion conducting path, and an antimony sensor plug isolated in an inner tubular member that is co-linearly or coaxially configured with the outer tubular member. A transmitter with an antenna transfers the observed pH data by employing one of many wireless methods, such as radio-frequency (RF) energy. Alternately, the transfer of observed pH data is accomplished by direct wire methods. The pH data is transferred or updated at specific intervals, which can be varied according to the patient's needs, to the processing receiver that is engaged to the treatment apparatus. In the therapeutic configuration, the processing receiver computes and diagnoses the breath chemistry data and determines at what frequency the treatment apparatus should be activated.

Respiratory monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic system

The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.

Controlled activation pH sensor

The present invention is a system for monitoring a patient's breath chemistry comprising a plurality of components, including a self-condensing pH sensor distally mounted on a catheter, a transmitter with hydration sensing circuitry for the pH sensor, and, a processing receiver/data recorder. The specifically designed self-condensing pH sensor located on the distal end of the catheter is designed to be inserted into the patient's airway. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH is accomplished by using the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor, providing for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values.

Self-condensing pH sensor and catheter apparatus

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain medical conditions, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux or laryngopharyngeal reflux. The system includes a mask apparatus or sensor module fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.

The present invention pertains to an apparatus and a means of constructing a pH sensor that can detect changes in pH levels of humidified gases and liquid samples. When electronically connected to a computerized or analog display means, sensitive quantitative measurements can be obtained. Given the construction of current pH devices available today, there is a need in the field for a novel, miniaturized, self-condensing pH probe that can be used in fluid or humidified gases.

Self-condensing pH sensor

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for evaluating the signal strength from the pH sensor to determine whether the sensor is hydrated sufficiently to accurately measure pH. This is accomplished by utilizing circuitry that periodically sends a low voltage signal to a suitable pH sensor and then receiving the resulting waveforms which are analyzed by a processing receiver. The electrical connection between a suitable pH sensor and hydration monitoring circuitry is generally hard wired. In one embodiment, a processing receiver is coupled with the hydration monitoring circuitry as a single apparatus. In a second embodiment, the processing receiver can be independent and located remote from the hydration monitoring circuitry. In this embodiment, the hydration monitoring circuitry and the processing receiver are electrically connected using either hard wired techniques or wireless technology. In addition, the processing receiver can include data recording capability.

Hydration monitoring circuitry for pH sensors

Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating certain respiratory conditions, such as asthma. The system includes a mask apparatus fitted with a pH sensor and thermocouple, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, a processing receiver, and a therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The mask apparatus, CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device are connected by a pneumatic means. The pH sensor and the thermocouple are in electrical communication with the processing receiver that controls, through an electronic means, the CPAP device and therapeutic nebulizer/atomizer/humidifier device. The electrical communications can be in the form of a plurality of wires or employ wireless means.

A swivel tip assembly (,) includes a housing (,) having a passageway (,) with proximal (,) and distal (,) openings. Spherical member (,) and bushing (,), which is captured by the housing (,), provide a swivel joint. A wire (,), which is coupled to the spherical member (,), is attached to the distal end of a catheter (,). The swivel joint allows the housing (,) to swivel or rotate freely thereby minimizing the opportunity of grabbing the guide wire (,) as the catheter (,) is being pushed or pulled along the guide wire (,).

Swivel tip assembly and catheter using same

The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent may be maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer. The balloon catheter and stent are then advanced through a placement catheter to a target site where the balloon is partially inflated to free the stent for expansion to an equilibrium configuration. The balloon may then be more fully inflated to further expand any of the bands in the stent to suit the needs of the patient. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the expanded stent to support that target site.

Stent and method for making a stent

The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent is maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer. The balloon catheter and stent are then advanced through a placement catheter to a target site where the balloon is partially inflated to free the stent for expansion to an equilibrium configuration. The balloon may then be more fully inflated to further expand any of the bands in the stent to suit the needs of the patient. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the expanded stent to support that target site.

Stent

The reinforced catheter sensor probe for intravascular use includes an aramid strand that extends along the length of the electromagnetic conduits and is bonded thereto. A greater than ten fold increase in tensile strength is thereby achieved. Additionally, the inherent strength of flexibility of the reinforcing strand ensures that a positive interconnection with the distal end of the sensor probe is maintained in the event the sensor probe is subjected to loads that cause its relatively more fragile components to sever. A protective, strain relieving introducer catheter is also provided to substantially prevent kinking and breakage of the sensor probe where the introducer catheter bends.

Reinforced catheter probe

A torque-transmitting structure such as a guidewire or catheter is formed of a generally flat band or wire twisted so that its longitudinal edge generally forms a helix. This twisted helical portion may be attached to a proximal shaft, and a tip member may be attached to the distal end of the helical portion. In some embodiments, the device is made of a single piece of wire, and in some embodiments, a spring coil may cover the helical portion. Where the device is a fixed wire balloon catheter, the helical portion may be attached to a proximal shaft, and the balloon mounted on the helical twisted wire, a plastic sheath encasing the main shaft and wire up to the balloon for inflation of the balloon. The helical guidewire may also be used in an over-the-wire balloon catheter.

Helical guidewire

A dilatation catheter compromising a torque-transmitting shaft, a flexible body surrounding the shaft, and an inflatable balloon having a proximal end mounted on the flexible body. The dilatation catheter also includes a tip spring having a proximal end fixedly mounted to the shaft proximal to the distal end of the balloon and a distal end fixedly attached to the distal tip of the shaft. The dilatation catheter further comprises a tip tube having a proximal end fixedly mounted to the shaft and a distal end exending through the distal end of the balloon, the distal end of the balloon being fixedly attached to the tip tube, the tip tube being sufficiently flexible and the proximal end being sufficiently removed from the distal end of the balloon so that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the tip substantially without twisting the balloon and substantially reducing rotation of the tip spring where it contacts the vascular system.

Growing community of inventors

Vista, CA, United States of America

Erich H Wolf