Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring or detecting nonradioactive constituent of body...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-07-24
Winakur, Eric F. (Department: 3726)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring or detecting nonradioactive constituent of body...
C600S323000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266547
ABSTRACT:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of reflectance oximetry. More particularly, the invention is directed to a nasopharyngeal airway with a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With a few exceptions, tradition and technology have favored transillumination pulse oximetry in the operating theater. The principle of operation of the pulse oximeter is fairly simple but is arguably the most important development in anesthesia monitoring in the twentieth century. Two wavelengths of light (usually 660 nm and 940 nm) are used to spectrophotometrically determine the ratio of oxidized to reduced hemoglobin noninvasively as well as to determine the pulsatility of blood plethysmographically. Presently, the most common application of this in the operating theater is via transillumination through the capillary bed of a peripheral digit. However, it is not unusual for multitrauma and thermally injured patients to either have severe peripheral vasoconstriction or to have severely damaged (or missing due to amputation) peripheral vascular beds. Reflectance oximetry rather than transillumination oximetry was the earliest investigative form of the technique. Transillumination pulse oximetry, without question, is the most effective form when oximetry is obtained through skin. However, when skin is not interposed as a barrier to capillary bed access, reflectance pulse oximetry easily can be achieved with very accurate results. The effect is achieved by the backscattering of incident bispectral light that traverses and, on reflection from nonabsorptive collagenous tissues, retraverses formed elements in the blood back to the oximetric detector. Rather than superseding transillumination pulse oximetry, this technique broadens the scope of possible monitoring sites, adding to the clinician's armamentarium.
Conventional pulse oximetry in the severely burned patient can be a significant challenge, yet this monitoring data is vital in operating room and intensive care settings. Most current oximetric approaches depend upon available peripheral sites permitting transillumination oximetry and indeed, this method is sufficient for most surgical conditions and procedures. Unfortunately, patients with severe burns often have few sites for the effective placement of the transilluminating pulse oximeter sensor. In addition, these patients often have severe circulatory compromise rendering the peripheral pulse oximeter less efficient. A variety of studies have shown that central pulse oximeters are more reliably and rapidly responsive than peripheral pulse oximeters.
Reflectance oximetry can be a useful tool where a capillary bed is easily accessible. Indeed, it is used commonly and effectively among intrapartum and neonatal patients whose capillary beds are easily accessed through their skin. The technique has also been applied to adult and pediatric burn patients by placing the reflectance sensor in wounds or over hyperemic sites such as healed partial thickness burns.
The nasal mucosa and the posterior pharynx contain rich capillary beds ideal for reflectance pulse oximetry. Known pulse oximeters are not suitable for use in the nares as they tend to block the nasal passage thus constricting the patient's breathing. In addition, they are prone to difficulties when their electrical components are exposed to liquid, moisture, bodily fluids, and/or surgical fluids. Since they rely on transillumination they also tend to be difficult to hold in place. Accordingly, a need exists for a more convenient device that combines a pulse oximeter sensor with a nasopharyngeal airway.
Nasopharyngeal airways are used in the operating room to establish communication between the nares and the posterior pharynx. Nasopharyngeal airways also are used to perform nasal suctioning.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention while addressing the problems of the prior art obtains advantages that were not achievable with the prior art devices.
An object of this invention is to provide an effective device for taking pulse oximetry measurements from nasal and posterior pharyngeal capillary beds.
Another object of the invention is to eliminate the need for employing a separate nasopharyngeal airway when taking pulse oximetry measurements via the nasal cavity.
Another object of the invention is the use of reflectance pulse oximetry via the nasal cavity for a variety of surgical, anesthetic, or critical care procedures performed on patients who are awake, sedated or undergoing general anesthesia.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pulse oximeter in a sealed body that is fluid impermeable.
An advantage of the invention is an improvement in the quality of care resulting from not needing to switch devices or use two separate devices in the nasal cavity.
Another advantage of the invention is improved pulse oximetry readings regardless of the radial position of the device when it is placed in the nares.
Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the apparatus should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3908665 (1975-09-01), Moses
patent: 4270531 (1981-06-01), Blachly et al.
patent: 4495945 (1985-01-01), Liegner
patent: 4586513 (1986-05-01), Hamaguri
patent: 4621643 (1986-11-01), New, Jr. et al.
patent: 4624572 (1986-11-01), Van Den Bosch
patent: 4651746 (1987-03-01), Wall
patent: 4676240 (1987-06-01), Gardy
patent: 4700708 (1987-10-01), New, Jr. et al.
patent: 4796636 (1989-01-01), Branstetter et al.
patent: 4830014 (1989-05-01), Goodman et al.
patent: 4854699 (1989-08-01), Edgar, Jr.
patent: 4859057 (1989-08-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 4865038 (1989-09-01), Rich et al.
patent: 4867557 (1989-09-01), Takatani et al.
patent: 4880304 (1989-11-01), Jaeb et al.
patent: 4890619 (1990-01-01), Hatschek
patent: 5040539 (1991-08-01), Schmitt et al.
patent: 5069214 (1991-12-01), Samaras et al.
patent: 5090410 (1992-02-01), Saper et al.
patent: 5193544 (1993-03-01), Jaffe
patent: 5203329 (1993-04-01), Takatani et al.
patent: 5205281 (1993-04-01), Buchanan
patent: 5217012 (1993-06-01), Young et al.
patent: 5246003 (1993-09-01), Delonzor
patent: 5282464 (1994-02-01), Brain
patent: 5329922 (1994-07-01), Atlee, III
patent: 5355874 (1994-10-01), Bertram
patent: 5357954 (1994-10-01), Shigezawa et al.
patent: 5361757 (1994-11-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5413101 (1995-05-01), Sugiura
patent: 5417207 (1995-05-01), Young et al.
patent: 5494032 (1996-02-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 5595176 (1997-01-01), Yamaura
patent: 5596986 (1997-01-01), Goldfarb
patent: 5619992 (1997-04-01), Guthrie et al.
patent: 5638593 (1997-06-01), Gerhardt et al.
patent: 5673693 (1997-10-01), Solenberger
patent: 5678544 (1997-10-01), Delonzor et al.
patent: 5715816 (1998-02-01), Mainiero et al.
patent: 5743261 (1998-04-01), Mainiero et al.
patent: 5755226 (1998-05-01), Carim et al.
patent: 5797841 (1998-08-01), Delonzor et al.
patent: 5800349 (1998-09-01), Isaacson et al.
patent: 5817009 (1998-10-01), Rosenheimer et al.
patent: 5839439 (1998-11-01), Nierlich et al.
patent: 5954050 (1999-09-01), Christopher
patent: 5983120 (1999-11-01), Groner et al.
patent: 5991648 (1999-11-01), Levin
patent: 4 42 260A1 (1996-05-01), None
patent: WO 86/00207 (1986-01-01), None
patent: WO 90/01293 (1990-02-01), None
patent: WO 90/07907 (1990-07-01), None
patent: WO 96/31155 (1996-10-01), None
patent: WO 6/29927 (1996-10-01), None
patent: WO 97/42903 (1997-11-01), None
Sheridan et al., “Intraoperative Reflectance Oximetry in Burn Patients,” Journal of Clinical Monitoring, Jan. 1995, vol. 11 (1): 32-34.
Faisst et al., “Intrapartum Reflectance Pulse Oximetry: Effects of Sensor Location and Fixation Duration on Oxygen Saturation Readings,” Journal of Clinical Monitoring, Sep. 1997, vol. 13 (5): 299-302.
Izumi et al., “Accuracy and Utility of a New Reflectance Pulse Oximeter for Fetal Monitoring During Labor,” Journal of Clinical Monitoring, Mar. 1997, vol. 13 (2): 103-108.
Hayes, et al., “Quantitative Investigation of Artefact in Photophlethysmography and Pulse Oximetry for Respiratory
Alexander John G.
Shepherd John M.
Walker Steven C.
Arwine Elizabeth
Harris Charles H.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Winakur Eric F.
LandOfFree
Nasopharyngeal airway with reflectance pulse oximeter sensor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Nasopharyngeal airway with reflectance pulse oximeter sensor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nasopharyngeal airway with reflectance pulse oximeter sensor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2524040