Patent ID: 8926525
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A device for detecting whether a distal portion of a probe inserted into a body is located within a target anatomical environment, the device comprising: a housing having a distal portion with a first port that is detachably couplable to the probe, and a proximal portion with a second port that is detachably couplable to a syringe, the first port fluidly coupled to the second port, the housing graspable by a user to manipulate the housing and the probe; a pressure sensing unit carried by the housing, the sensing unit configured to generate a pressure signal in response to a tissue pressure of an environment in which the distal portion of the probe is positioned, the tissue pressure signal comprising a series of instantaneous tissue pressure values; a processing unit coupled to the sensing unit and carried by the housing, the processing unit comprising instructions to receive and process the series of instantaneous tissue pressure values so as to determine a mean tissue pressure value using a moving average of the series over a predetermined time, the mean tissue pressure value indicative of the tissue environment about the distal portion of the probe; and an output unit coupled to the processing unit and carried by the housing, the output unit configured to output to a visual display a reporting signal comprising the mean tissue pressure value; wherein the pressure sensing unit, the processing unit, and the output unit are disposed substantially between the first port and the second port of the housing and wherein the housing, the distal portion of the probe and the display are manipulatable together in order to place the probe in response to the mean tissue pressure using the moving average of the series.