Patent ID: 7758530
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of determining the amount of recirculation in a catheter wherein said catheter comprises an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen, said method comprising: placing a distal portion of said catheter into an artificial fluid loop comprising a reservoir feeding fluid to a heart model, wherein a fluid pump is utilized to drive fluid flow in the fluid loop, the heart model including at least a right atrium chamber and a right ventricle chamber, wherein fluid in said fluid loop flows in a pulsatile manner; directing fluid from said fluid loop to flow into said catheter through said inflow lumen, and out from said catheter through said outflow lumen; measuring the density of fluid flowing into said outflow lumen; measuring the density of fluid flowing out of said inflow lumen; changing density of fluid being returned through the outflow lumen; determining if there is a density change in fluid flowing through the outflow lumen; determining if there is a density change in fluid flowing through the inflow lumen; and comparing changes in fluid density in the inflow lumen to changes in fluid density in the outflow lumen to determine the amount of recirculation in said catheter.