Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Steven R Taylor

Fred P Lampropoulos

Thomas D Stout

A Tony Smith

Brian W Stevens

Arlin Dale Nelson

Jerrold L Foote

Christopher L Durham

Jeffrey D Salisbury

Jim D Mottola

Gregory R McArthur

William Padilla

Marshall T Denton

Blaine Johnson

Andy E Poursaid

Mark Flygare

Larry E Roberts

Don C Kartchner

Carl F Tripp

This invention relates to a measuring device, which includes a body. A digital display is located in the body, the digital display being configured to show at least a linear measurement. The measuring device also includes a holding portion coupled to the body and configured to slidably engage an elongate member, such as a catheter or introducer sheath, in a space provided between the holding portion and the body. The measuring device also includes a sensor or transducer located in the body and configured to measure at least a linear distance traveled by the elongate member, such that the linear measurement is associated with the linear distance.

Measuring and testing device for retractable medical devices

The present invention relates to systems and methods for measuring the amount of fluid. A fluid source is in fluid communication with a measuring system. The fluid source includes a non-collapsible walled container for dispensing or introducing fluid. The measuring system includes a sensor in fluid communication with the container that senses the volume of the gas, and a system that calculates the amount of fluid flowing through an opening of the container based on the amount of gas flowing through an opening of the container. The volume of gas entering or exiting the container is measured rather than directly measuring the amount of fluid leaving or entering the container to determine in a more accurate, less complicated and less expensive manner the volume of fluid.

Systems and methods for accurately measuring fluid

Methods and systems for controlling and monitoring pressurization data. The methods and systems advance beyond the prior art in their ability to convey pressurization data unambiguously. The methods and systems include a novel combination of visual cues and control features to insure that pressurization data may be analyzed accurately. For example, the visual cues and control features include changing the background color of the display area and providing a pressurization arrow to indicate pressurization or depressurization; a time showing the elapsed time of pressurization or depressurization; a pressurization number indicating the number of pressurization cycles that have occurred; software keys for making configuration choices; and text and graphic display modes. A touch interface may be provide for user interaction. To insure accurate pressure measurements, at least one pressure reference standard may also be utilized.

Monitoring and displaying pressurization data

A pressure gauge for displaying the magnitude of fluid pressure generated within a syringe or another pressurized system. The pressure gauge is removably attachable to a syringe, and may be sterilized for reuse after each medical procedure. A piezoresistive transducer senses fluid pressure and generates an electrical signal that changes in response to changes in said fluid pressure. The electrical signal is converts d to digital signals by a microprocessor. A stepper motor responds to the digital signals to control a pointer that moves across a dial to display the magnitude of the fluid pressure. A small lithium battery that can withstand high temperatures supplies electrical power to the pressure gauge. A housing unit, comprising stainless steel and a transparent window, encases the components of the pressure gauge. After use, the pressure gauge is placed in an autoclave, thereby sterilizing the pressure gauge for reuse.

Pressure gauge with digital stepping motor and reusable transfer plug

Systems and methods for isolating a pressure gauge from sources of potential contamination so that the pressure gauge may be reused in multiple medical procedures without having to be subjected to a sterilization procedure. The systems of the invention may include a syringe assembly having a pressure gauge removably attached to a syringe. The pressure gauge is isolated from sources of potential contamination in at least two ways. First, a flexible membrane separates a pressure transducer diaphragm of the pressure gauge from the pressurized fluid of the syringe. The flexible membrane prevents the pressure gauge from contacting the fluid and transmits pressure and forces from the fluid to the pressure gauge. Second, a substantially transparent disposable bag or film covers surfaces of the pressure gauge that would be otherwise exposed to human contact or other contaminants. During medical procedures, the pressure gauge maintains its sterile condition. After use, the pressure gauge may be removed from the syringe and subsequently used with a second syringe without an intervening sterilization procedure. The syringe assemblies may further include a balloon-tipped catheter for use in angioplasty and related medical procedures.

Isolation system for pressure gauges for permitting repeated use without

A self-contained battery operated disposable blood pressure monitor having a semi-conductor transducer therein, the front side of which is intended to be fluid communication with an incompressible fluid in a intracorporeal catheter inserted in the heart of a patient for direct blood pressure monitoring. A calibration port vents the backside of the transducer to calibration and atmospheric pressures. The monitor contains circuitry electrically connected to the transducer which receives electrical signals output by the semi-conductor chip in response to the pressures exerted upon it through the pressure monitoring port. The circuity then electronically processes the signals so as to derive electronic data representing the mean arterial pressure pulse rate, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The circuitry also analyzes the pressure wave forms of the pressure signals detected for poor signals so that it can present a visual diagnostic representative of the problematic pressure condition.

Disposable transducer with digital processing and readout

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data. A syringe applies and releases pressure to and from the balloon catheter. A transducer housed on the syringe barrel emits at atmospheric pressure a signal by which both the syringe and transducer are recognizable to the system as a particular type of syringe. The system prompts the user to verify the recognized type of syringe. The system prompts the user to verify the recognized type of syringe. The transducer, which can be calibrated, senses fluid pressures applied by the syringe. The signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure and the length of time that pressure is applied by the syringe. The data is automatically displayed and recorded. The syringe system permits input of various control parameters, such as a maximum positive inflation pressure and maximum duration for applying pressure.

System and method for monitoring, displaying and recording balloon

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate or deflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger towards the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer placed in fluid communication with the fluid pressure applied by the syringe, senses the fluid pressure and outputs an electrical signal representative of that pressure. The electrical signal is received by a RF transmission module that is permanently mounted to the syringe barrel. The RF transmission module derives transmission data from the electrical pressure signal and wirelessly transmits the transmission data via a radio frequency signal to a remote console. The remote console processes the transmission data so as to monitor, record, and display the inflation or deflation data.

RF transmission module for wirelessly transmitting balloon catheter data

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for monitoring, displaying and optionally recording inflation or deflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate or deflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer placed in fluid communication with the fluid pressure applied by the syringe, senses the fluid pressure and outputs an electrical signal representative of that pressure. The electric signal is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure, and so as also to derive the length of time that fluid pressure is applied. The electronic data representing this information is displayed and optionally recorded. In one embodiment, the electronic signal is received by a detachable and reusable electronic circuit module that detachably mounts to a housing formed on the syringe barrel.

Detachable and reusable digital control unit for monitoring balloon

A syringe apparatus for use with balloon-tipped catheters is disclosed having a pressure gauge and timer assembly. In one mode, the timer assembly displays the duration of a current event of inflation or deflation, and the duration of the most recent past event of inflation or deflation. In another mode, the timer assembly displays historical information showing the event number and duration of past events of inflation and deflation. The pressure gauge display and the timer assembly display are situated conveniently on the syringe assembly and in proximity to one another so as to enable a syringe operator to substantially simultaneously monitor durations of inflation and deflation without the need for an assistant, yet without requiring purchase or use of computerized monitors. In another mode, the timer assembly can be detached from the syringe assembly at the completion of an inflation procedure and then reused with another syringe assembly. In this mode, the pressure gauge is permanently mounted to the syringe assembly, or alternatively, it is mounted to the detachable timer assembly so as to also be reusable.

Syringe apparatus with pressure gauge and detachable timer

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation or deflation data. A syringe having a barrel and a plunger is used to apply or to release pressure to the balloon catheter or other balloon member. A transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses fluid pressures applied by the syringe. An electromagnetic signal output by the transducer means is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure and the length of time that positive fluid pressure is applied, which derived data is automatically displayed and recorded. The deflation of the balloon-type member is similarly processed and recorded. The controller is also programmable to permit input of various control parameters, such as a lesion location identifier, a maximum positive inflation pressure and maximum duration for applying pressure. Input of the various control parameters can be made at either of two redundant switch sets, where one of the switch sets is located on the syringe barrel.

A novel pressure transducer apparatus for medical pressure monitoring apparatus having a housing with a calibration port. The patient side of the transducer senses fluid pressures to be monitored. The non-patient side of the transducer is hermetically sealed in the housing of the apparatus. The housing has a female calibration port communicating, via a pinhole, with the non-patient side of the transducer. The non-patient side of the transducer can thus alternatively be vented to atmospheric pressure or be exposed to a vacuum calibration pressure.

Transducer housing with a calibration port

A syringe apparatus for use with balloon-tipped catheters is disclosed having an attached pressure gauge and timer assembly. In one mode, the timer assembly displays the duration of a current event of inflation or deflation, and the duration of the most recent past event of inflation or deflation. In another mode, the timer assembly displays historical information showing the event number and duration of past events of inflation and deflation. The pressure gauge display and the timer assembly display are situated conveniently on the syringe assembly and in proximity to one another so as to enable a syringe operator to substantially simultaneously monitor durations of inflation and deflation without the need for an assistant, yet without requiring purchase or use of computerized monitors.

Syringe apparatus with attached pressure gauge and timer

An electronically controlled syringe system for connection to a balloon catheter or other balloon-type member and for automatically monitoring, displaying and recording inflation data when the syringe system is used to inflate the balloon of the catheter or other balloon-type member. A syringe having a barrel and a syringe plunger is selectively operable to increase fluid pressure applied to the balloon catheter or other balloon member by sliding the plunger further into the barrel. Positive pressure applied to the balloon catheter or member is released by withdrawing the syringe plunger toward the rear of the barrel. A piezoresistive semiconductor transducer housed on the barrel of the syringe senses fluid pressure applied by the syringe. The electric signal output by the transducer is input to a controller where the signal is digitally processed so as to derive and record therefrom electronic data representing the magnitude of applied fluid pressure, and so as also to derive the length of time that fluid pressure is applied. The electronic data representing this information is automatically displayed and recorded. In one embodiment, the controller is also mounted onto the syringe barrel to provide a digitally controlled inflation syringe system that is completely self-contained, and disposable.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Steven R Taylor