US5289821A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of ultrasonic Doppler monitoring of blood flow in a blood vessel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-06-30
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Granted: 1994-03-01
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Expires: 2013-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of employing ultrasonic Doppler monitoring of blood flow in a patient's blood vessel includes, providing an ultrasonic transducer operatively associated with an ultrasonic processor by connection through an electrically conductive wire. The ultrasonic transducer-conducer wire assembly is secured to a strip of biologically inert or absorbable material, which is subsequently wrapped into contacting surrounding relationship with the exterior surface of the blood vessel and secured in such position to establish a cuff. The ultrasonic transducer-wire assembly is employed in a Doppler mode to monitor blood flow within the blood vessel. After completion of monitoring the ultrasonic transducer-wire assembly, but not the cuff are removed from the patient. The monitoring cuff is preferably positioned downstream, with respect to the direction of blood flow, of an anastomosis in the blood vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Swartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B8/12; A61B8/42; A61B8/4209; A61B8/4227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of ultrasonic Doppler monitoring of blood flow in a patient's blood vessel comprising providing an ultrasonic transducer operatively associated with ultrasonic processor means by an electrically conductive wire, securing the ultrasonic transducer to a strip of biologically inert or absorbable material, wrapping said strip in contacting surrounding relationship with the exterior surface of said blood vessel to establish a cuff, securing said cuff in said surrounding relationship, employing said ultrasonic transducer-wire assembly in a Doppler mode to monitor blood flow within said blood vessel, and after completion of said monitoring removing said ultrasonic transducer and said wire but not said cuff.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of ultrasonic Doppler monitoring of blood flow in a patient's blood vessel comprising providing an ultrasonic transducer operatively associated with ultrasonic processor means by an electrically conductive wire, securing the ultrasonic transducer to a strip of biologically inert or absorbable material, wrapping said strip in contacting surrounding relationship with the exterior surface of said blood vessel to establish a cuff, securing said cuff in said surrounding relationship, employing said ultrasonic transducer-wire assembly in a Doppler mode to monitor blood flow within said blood vessel, and after completion of said monitoring removing said ultrasonic transducer and said wire but not said cuff.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including employing said method to monitor blood flow in a blood vessel which has been subjected to microsurgery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 including employing said method in a blood vessel which is disposed at a position spaced beneath the surface of the skin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 including establishing said cuff at a position disposed downstream of an anastomosis with respect to the direction of blood flow in said blood vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including removing said ultrasonic transducer and wire as a unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 including employing a polyfluorotetraethylene material in said strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including securing said ultrasonic transducer within said strip by introducing it into said strip through a slit in said strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 including securing the transducer-wire assembly to said strip by adhesive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 including placing said adhesive means on said strip adjacent to said slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including determining if a thrombosis exists in said blood vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 including employing said method on a vein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 including employing said method on a blood vessel disposed within a patient's body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 including employing said method on a blood vessel disposed within a patient's hand.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 including employing said method on an artery.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 including performing exploratory surgery on said blood vessel if a predetermined level of reduced blood flow exists in said blood vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 including effecting removal of said ultrasonic transducer-wire assembly about 3 to 7 days after original insertion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 including positioning said strip in intimate substantially continuous contact with the exterior surface of said blood vessel, and securing said strip in position by sutures passing through a portion of said strip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-28 | 1997-08-30 | 1998-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-28 | 2001-08-30 | 2002-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-08-30 | 2006-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |