Method and device for verification of intra-luminal placement and patency for vascular access devices

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems to non-invasively determine intra-luminal placement and patency of a vascular access device. In one form, our device itself remains non-invasive, connecting at the vascular access device's hub outside the patient's body. Patency and/or placement are estimated indirectly by measuring a physiological parameter which is indicative of proper patency and/or placement of the vascular access device in a patient. The measurement is compared to a reference value or calibration. If the comparison indicates indication of proper patency and/or placement, a signal is generated. The signal can be used in a number of ways. One example is to give a user-perceivable alarm or indication of proper patency and/or placement. Non-limiting examples include activating a light, an audible buzzer, a vibration, readable displayed text or graphics, or some combination of the same. The user can then have an indirect and at least semi-automatic way of estimating proper patency and/or placement of a vascular access device. In one aspect of the invention, the technique is able to achieve this end by monitoring and detecting changes in the physiological parameter of systemic vascular pressure via pressure measurement in, at, or near the hub or other portion of a vascular access device that has a lumen placed intra-luminally, and then using the results of that monitoring to indirectly transduce conditions or states indicative of either good placement/patency or bad placement/patency of the vascular access device.