Patent ID: 8073517
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A system for determining constituents of blood in a vascular region comprising: a small diameter catheter adapted to be introduced to the vascular region using an introduction needle over which the catheter is mounted, the catheter including a distal shaft defining a lumen and a hub; a light emitter and a photodetector constructed and arranged to pass light through blood from the emitter to the photodetector when the blood is drawn through the lumen and into the hub from the vascular region; and a processor operatively connected to at least one of the light emitter and the photodetector that measures and indicates a level of blood constituents of the blood drawn from the vascular region; wherein the light emitter and photodetector are both positioned on a surface of the lumen, such that when the blood is drawn through the lumen, the light passes from the light emitter through the blood in the lumen to the photodetector, to allow measurement of light absorbed by the blood moving between the light emitter and the photodetector as blood is drawn through the lumen.