Aspiration monitoring system and method
In one embodiment, system for real time monitoring of catheter aspiration includes a housing having a first port adapted for connection to a vacuum source and a second port adapted for connection with an aspiration catheter, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with an interior of the housing, a measurement device coupled to the pressure sensor and configured for measuring deviations in fluid pressure, and a communication device coupled to the measurement device and configured to generate an alert signal when a deviation in fluid pressure measured by the measurement device exceeds a pre-set threshold. In another embodiment, the system for real time monitoring of catheter aspiration further includes a vacuum source for connection to the first port and an aspiration catheter having an aspiration lumen for connection to the second port.
1. A monitoring device for real time monitoring of catheter aspiration, comprising:
a housing;
an elongate passage extending within the housing and terminating in an orifice configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, the passage configured to by coupled to an aspiration lumen of an aspiration catheter such that aspirated blood can transit through the passage and out the orifice;
a pressure sensor carried by the housing and configured to measure pressure within the passage;
a microprocessor coupled to the pressure sensor and configured for measuring deviations in the measured pressure; and
a light coupled to the microprocessor and configured to generate a visual signal as a result of a determination by the microprocessor that a change in the measured pressure conforms with a particular relationship in comparison to a pre-set threshold, wherein the light comprises one or more LED, and wherein the visual signal is different when a value obtained as a result of the pressure sensor is less than the pre-set threshold than it is when the value is greater than the pre-set threshold.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is within the housing.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the visual signal comprises the illumination of an LED configured to illuminate with a particular color.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more LED is configured to flash in a particular pattern.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more LED is configured to flash a particular number of times.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more LED is configured to be continuously illuminated.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the difference is LED color.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein an intensity of the light is configured to increase proportionally with measured pressure.
9. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sound generator coupled to the microprocessor.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the sound generator is configured to generate an audible signal.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the sound generator is configured to create a characteristic sound.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the characteristic sound comprises a series of short noises.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the characteristic sound comprises an audio message.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the visual signal indicates aspiration flowing normally.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the visual signal indicates thrombus being aspirated.
16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the visual signal indicates thrombus no longer being aspirated.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the visual signal indicates a clog condition.
18. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory configured to interface with the microprocessor.
19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the memory is configured to store a storable value related to the pre-set threshold.
20. The device of claim 19 , wherein the storable value comprises a pressure differential.
21. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises a vacuum sensor.
22. The device of claim 1 , wherein the light is carried by the housing.
23. The device of claim 1 , wherein the orifice is formed by a luer.
24. The device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate passage extends substantially linearly within the housing between a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing.