Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A catheter device incorporating the diffusion membrane principle to obtain samples of gases from the tissue of a patient for use with analyzing apparatus wherein the improvement comprises: a catheter device having a plugged lumen forming a solid proximal portion, a distal portion having a sealed chamber therein, a diffusion membrane permeable to gases but impermeable to liquids forming the outer wall of said chamber, and said chamber being filled with a chemically inert tonometering liquid for equilibration with body tissue gases and of sufficient volume for analysis by blood gas analyzing equipment available in most hospitals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A catheter device incorporating the diffusion membrane principle to obtain samples of gases from the tissue of a patient for use with analyzing apparatus wherein the improvement comprises: a catheter device having a plugged lumen forming a solid proximal portion, a distal portion having a sealed chamber therein, a diffusion membrane permeable to gases but impermeable to liquids forming the outer wall of said chamber, and said chamber being filled with a chemically inert tonometering liquid for equilibration with body tissue gases and of sufficient volume for analysis by blood gas analyzing equipment available in most hospitals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The catheter device of claim 1 wherein said solid proximal portion comprises a catheter terminating short of the distal end of the device and forming an end wall of said chamber, a rigid imperforate elongated element plugging the lumen of said catheter and extending therebeyond, and an imperforate plug in which said element terminates and which plug forms the other end wall of said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter device of claim 1, wherein said chamber has a liquid volume within the range of 0.025 to 0.50 ml.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catheter device of claim 1, wherein said solid proximal portion comprises a catheter with its lumen plugged, and said diffusion membrane is tubular and extends over at least the proximal portion of said catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter device of claim 1 wherein said device has an overall outside diameter of approximately 2.0 mm., any desirable length, a chamber length of approximately 4 cm., and a chamber volume of approximately 0.1 ml.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The catheter device of claim 1, including gas impermeable means for disposition over and to cover said diffusion membrane where it forms the outer wall of said chamber to protect the gas level of the tonometered fluid in said chamber while in transport from the patient to a laboratory analysis apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The catheter device of claim 1, wherein said diffusion membrane is tubular with one end extending over said solid proximal portion, and a closure tip of monofilament material secured to the other end of said membrane to form a distal end seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter device of claim 2, including a monofilament closure tip secured to said diffusion membrane to provide a distal end seal outside said plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter device of claim 6, wherein said gas impermeable means is a sleeve slidable over and off said diffusion membrane where it forms the outer wall of said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter device of claim 6, wherein said gas impermeable means is a container for a gas impermeable liquid into which the catheter device is placed.