Tissue interface device

US7041057B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Spectrx, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mark L. Faupel · Alpharetta, US
• Krishna Kumar · Duluth, US
• J. David Farquhar · Commerce, US
• Mark S. Vreeke · Suwanee, US
• Alan M. Smith · Melbourn, GB
• Michael R. Hatch · Mountain View, US
• Teresa Woods · Brownsburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 17, 2000
• Grant date: May 9, 2006
• Expiry date: Jul 27, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B5/1486
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tissue interface device (10) suitable for positioning on or about one or more artificial openings in a biological membrane of an organism and for coupling to a monitor and control unit and a vacuum source. The tissue interface device (10) comprises a housing (100), a sensor channel (130), and a sensor (150). The housing (100) defines an orifice (120), the orifice (120) having an open inlet port (122) on the bottom end (102) of the housing (100) and a distal end (124) that is in fluid communication with the sensor channel (130). The orifice (120) is in fluid communication with fluid that flows from the artificial opening formed in the biological membranes. The sensor channel (130) is for coupling to, and fluid communication therewith, the vacuum source. The sensor (150) is positioned in the sensor channel (130) in a flow path of the fluid for sensing a characteristic of the fluid as it flows out from the artificial opening. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof.