US5048525A — Blood parameter measurement system with compliant…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 125 words

An assembly for the measurement of a blood parameter comprising: first means for withdrawing blood from a patient into the first means; said first means comprising a catheter adapted to be received in a patient's cardiovascular system and having a lumen for receiving blood from the patient's cardiovascular system; said first means further comprising means for introducing a fluid into the lumen so as to form a blood-fluid interface in the first means; said first means being compliant whereby the patient's heartbeats tend to move the interface; said first means having a first compliance and a second compliance and comprising means for selecting the first compliance or the second compliance, said first and second compliances being different; and a sensor in communication with the lumen.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 125 words

An assembly for the measurement of a blood parameter comprising: first means for withdrawing blood from a patient into the first means; said first means comprising a catheter adapted to be received in a patient's cardiovascular system and having a lumen for receiving blood from the patient's cardiovascular system; said first means further comprising means for introducing a fluid into the lumen so as to form a blood-fluid interface in the first means; said first means being compliant whereby the patient's heartbeats tend to move the interface; said first means having a first compliance and a second compliance and comprising means for selecting the first compliance or the second compliance, said first and second compliances being different; and a sensor in communication with the lumen.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the introducing means has a natural compliance which provides the first compliance and the first means includes a compliant element for use in providing the second compliance, said second compliance being greater than the first compliance.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

An assembly as defined in claim 2 including means for selectively switching the compliant element into and out of communication with the lumen of the catheter.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 33 words

An assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the first means has a compliant element and means for adjusting the compliance of said compliant element to thereby provide said first and second compliances.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

An assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the compliant element includes an elastic membrane and said adjusting means includes means for limiting maximum elastic movement of the membrane to thereby provide said first and second compliances.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

An assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein the limiting means is infinitely adjustable to provide an infinite number of compliances for the introducing means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

An assembly as defined in claim 5 comprising a housing having a passage in communication with the lumen, said membrane being mounted on said housing and said limiting means including a movable member mounted for movement on the housing to provide an adjustable stop for limiting movement of the membrane.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 136 words

An assembly for the in vivo measurement of a blood parameter comprising: a catheter comprising a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end, a distal end and a distal opening at the distal end, said catheter being adapted to be received in a patient's cardiovascular system; a sensor for sensing the blood parameter and providing a signal in response thereto; means for mounting the sensor on the catheter with the sensor being within the lumen; a conduit for coupling the lumen to a source of fluid whereby the fluid can be supplied to the lumen; a compliant element coupled to said conduit to allow the volume of the assembly to be expanded and contracted; said compliant element including a membrane; and means for adjustably limiting movement of the membrane to adjust the compliance of the compliant element.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 136 words

An assembly for the in vivo measurement of a blood parameter comprising: a catheter comprising a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end, a distal end and a distal opening at the distal end, said catheter being adapted to be received in a patient's cardiovascular system; a sensor for sensing the blood parameter and providing a signal in response thereto; means for mounting the sensor on the catheter with the sensor being within the lumen; a conduit for coupling the lumen to a source of fluid whereby the fluid can be supplied to the lumen; a compliant element coupled to said conduit to allow the volume of the assembly to be expanded and contracted; said compliant element including a membrane; and means for adjustably limiting movement of the membrane to adjust the compliance of the compliant element.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 120 words

An assembly for the measurement of a blood parameter comprising: first means for withdrawing blood from a patient into the first means; said first means comprising a catheter adapted to be received in a patient's cardiovascular system and having a lumen for receiving blood from the patient's cardiovascular system; said first means further comprising means for introducing a fluid into the lumen so as to form a blood-fluid interface in the first means; said first means having a natural compliance whereby the patient's heartbeats tend to move the interface; said first means further comprising compliance means for providing the introducing means with a plurality of different compliances other than said natural compliance; and a sensor in communication with the lumen.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 120 words

An assembly for the measurement of a blood parameter comprising: first means for withdrawing blood from a patient into the first means; said first means comprising a catheter adapted to be received in a patient's cardiovascular system and having a lumen for receiving blood from the patient's cardiovascular system; said first means further comprising means for introducing a fluid into the lumen so as to form a blood-fluid interface in the first means; said first means having a natural compliance whereby the patient's heartbeats tend to move the interface; said first means further comprising compliance means for providing the introducing means with a plurality of different compliances other than said natural compliance; and a sensor in communication with the lumen.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 45 words

An assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the introducing means includes a conduit communicable with the lumen of the catheter and the compliance means includes an elastic membrane and means for adjustably limiting movement of the membrane to provide said plurality of different compliances.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of sensing a parameter of blood comprising: withdrawing blood from a patient into an elongated passage of a system having a plurality of different compliances; introducing an anti-clotting solution into the passage to provide an interface between the blood and the solution; selecting one of said compliances; moving the interface back and forth in the passage with the system having said one compliance, said step of moving including allowing the patient's heartbeats to move the interface; and sensing a parameter of the blood in the passage.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of sensing a parameter of blood comprising: withdrawing blood from a patient into an elongated passage of a system having a plurality of different compliances; introducing an anti-clotting solution into the passage to provide an interface between the blood and the solution; selecting one of said compliances; moving the interface back and forth in the passage with the system having said one compliance, said step of moving including allowing the patient's heartbeats to move the interface; and sensing a parameter of the blood in the passage.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said different compliances include a natural compliance of the system, wherein there is a compliant element in said system for use in providing a second of said compliances, and wherein said step of selecting includes selecting said natural compliance or said second compliance.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said different compliances include a natural compliance of the system, wherein there is a compliant element in said system for use in providing a plurality of other different compliances, and wherein said step of selecting includes using said compliant element to provide one of said other compliances.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-09-16	1995-03-18	1995-09-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-09-16	1999-03-18	1999-09-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-09-16	2003-03-18	2003-09-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Blood parameter measurement system with compliant element

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