Vascular access port with physiological sensor

Abstract

A combined vascular access port and physiologic parameter monitoring device. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be connected by a cooperative geometry. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be implanted at the same time and in the same anatomical location (e.g., subcutaneous pocket). The monitoring device may include a telemetry unit that transmits physiological measurement data to a local data collection system (e.g., carried by the patient or located in the patient's home), which may re-transmit the data to a remote data collection system (e.g., located at a physician's office or clinic) via a suitable communication link.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 246,348, filed Sep. 17, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to vascular access ports. In particular, the present invention relates to vascular access ports having associated physiological sensors. [0003] Implantable vascular access ports (VAP) are used extensively in the medical field when recurrent infusions of therapeutic agents into a patient's circulatory system are required over extended periods of time. Such VAPs generally include a housing containing a reservoir and septum, with a catheter extending from the housing. The VAP housing is implanted in a subcutaneous pocket at an accessible location such as the arm, and the catheter extends from the housing to a remote vascular location to provide convenient, repeatable access to the patient's venous...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a device that can be implanted in the same area as a vascular access port to monitor physiological parameters like temperature and blood pressure. This device is convenient for physicians and cost-effective, as it does not require patient involvement. It can also detect symptoms that may occur infrequently and for short periods of time, and improve accuracy of measurements that lack repeatability by averaging multiple measurements over a period of time."

Problems solved by technology

As another example, infused inotropic or antihypertensive drugs require patient blood pressure monitoring because of possible hypo or hypertension side effects that may be life threatening.

In addition to inconvenience, these devices are not desirable due to lack of continuous monitoring and lack of patient compliance in outpatient settings.

Furthermore, because these monitoring devices require patient use, and because typical patients do not have professional health care training, the devices are susceptible to incorrect usage, potentially resulting in erroneous measurements.

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