Reusable Invasive Fluid Pressure Monitoring Apparatus and Method

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus and method for invasive bodily fluid pressure measurements using a pressure sensing assembly that is partially reusable. An embodiment includes a system for measuring a bodily pressure level having a support structure that includes at least one reusable pressure transducer that has a sensing face positioned on an exterior portion of the support structure, and a disposable pressure plenum having an inlet in fluid communication with a selected location within the body of a living being that is configured to be removably and slidably engaged with the support structure.

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         34 . A method of measuring a selected bodily pressure in a patient, comprising:
 providing a support including at least one reusable sensor having an exposed sensing surface;   releasably securing a disposable pressure plenum to the support, the disposable pressure plenum having a pressure compliant surface disposed thereon and in contact with the sensor;   fluidly coupling the plenum to a selected location within the patient; and   measuring a bodily pressure at the selected location using the sensor.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein slidably securing a disposable pressure plenum to the support further comprises positioning the pressure compliant surface adjacent the exposed pressure sensing surface. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein fluidly coupling the plenum to a selected location within the patient further comprises fluidly isolating the pressure compliant surface and the exposed pressure sensing surface. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein measuring a bodily pressure at the selected location further comprises:
 generating an electrical signal in response to a pressure sensed at the sensing surface;   transferring the signal to a processor to produce visual image signals; and   transferring the visual image signals to a visual display device.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing a support including at least one reusable sensor having an exposed sensing surface comprises providing a support having at least one reusable pressure transducer having an exposed sensing surface. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein providing a support including at least one reusable sensor having an exposed sensing surface comprises providing a support having at least one reusable force transducer coupled to an exposed sensing surface. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein releasably securing a disposable pressure plenum to the support comprises slidably securing the disposable pressure plenum to the support. 
     
     
         41 . A method of measuring a selected bodily pressure in a patient, comprising:
 providing a first reusable support including a first engagement location physically connected to a second reusable support having a second engagement location wherein at least one of the first reusable support and second reusable support has an exposed sensing surface;   releasably securing a first disposable plenum that forms at least a portion of a fluid path extending from the patient to the first disposable plenum, the first disposable plenum being removably securable to the first engagement location and fluidly isolating the fluid path from the first engagement location when the first disposable plenum is secured to the first engagement location, wherein the first disposable plenum has a pressure compliant surface disposed thereon and in contact with the sensor;   fluidly coupling the first disposable plenum to a selected location within the patient; and   measuring a bodily pressure at the selected location using the sensor.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first disposable plenum further comprises a flow valve coupled to a pressure tube configured to be coupled to a catheter extending into the patient. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first disposable plenum further comprises a saline tube that is configured to be coupled to a source of a saline solution. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first disposable plenum further comprises a pressure compliant membrane disposed in a wall of the first disposable plenum. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first disposable plenum is configured to position the pressure compliant membrane adjacent to a transducer when the first disposable plenum is secured to the first engagement location. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first reusable support further comprises an electronics package positioned within an interior portion of the support, the electronics package receiving signals from the transducer and transferring the signals to an external processor. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the electronics package and the external processor are coupled by a conductive line extending from the package to the processor. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the electronics package and the external processor are wirelessly coupled. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising a visual display device coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the first reusable support further comprises an electronics package positioned with an interior portion of the support, the electronics package receiving signals from the transducer and processing the signals to produce data suitable for transmission to a visual display. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein each of said first and second engagement locations comprises a slot defined by a floor, opposing sidewalls, and retainers on each of the opposing sidewalls, wherein each retainer is spaced apart from said floor by a tapered space, and wherein the depth of the tapered space of the first reusable support is different than the depth of the tapered space of the second reusable support. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 41  wherein a transducer is disposed in each of said engagement locations and configured to produce electrical signals proportional to the bodily pressure.