Pressure sensor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021259605-A1
Application number	US-202117302838-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 13, 2021
Priority date	Jun 15, 2015
Publication date	Aug 26, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A pressure sensor apparatus includes a plurality of pressure responsive chambers provided along a longitudinal dimension of the apparatus, and a pressure sensor device provided in each chamber which together provide a pressure profile in an anatomical cavity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A pressure sensor apparatus comprising:
an elongate body configured for anatomical cavity applications comprising a flexible substructure having a plurality of openings or pockets; at least one membrane joined to the flexible substructure and provided over each opening or pocket to provide a plurality of pressure responsive chambers provided successively along the elongate body; and a pressure sensor device provided in each pressure responsive chamber; wherein each pressure responsive chamber comprises at least one pressure-transmitting wall, and the flexible substructure provides a pressure resistant barrier between adjacent chambers to mechanically isolate each of the plurality of pressure responsive chambers.

2 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a data transfer apparatus configured to provide data from each pressure sensor device.

3 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the data transfer apparatus is configured to provide data from each pressure sensor device to allow simultaneous measurement of abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure.

4 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of pressure responsive chambers is provided along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate body.

5 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one membrane is bonded to the flexible substructure.

6 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure resistant barrier is sufficient to substantially prevent pressure changes in one chamber affecting pressure in the adjacent chamber.

7 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each pressure responsive chamber is filled with a fluid whereby the pressure sensor device senses a pressure of the fluid in the pressure responsive chamber.

8 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fluid comprises air.

9 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the data transfer apparatus provides a sensed pressure from each pressure sensor device to a display apparatus.

10 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the data transfer apparatus comprises a transmitter.

11 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a retention contour for retaining the apparatus in an anatomical cavity while in use.

12 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the retention contour extends substantially transversely.

13 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the retention contour comprises one or more ribs or wings dependent from the body.

14 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is used as an intra-abdominal pressure sensing device.

15 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is used as an intra-vaginal device.

16 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the membrane comprises the pressure transmitting wall for each chamber.

17 . The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensors are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board.

18 . The pressure sensor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensors comprise an array and the array has a maximum width of 20 mm.

19 . The pressure sensor as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are at least six pressure responsive chambers.

20 . The pressure sensor as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are eight pressure responsive chambers.

21 . A method for pelvic floor muscle training, the method comprising:
(a) inserting into a subject's vagina a pressure sensor apparatus; (b) providing pressure data detected by the pressure sensors to a display device located exteriorly of the subject's vagina during performance of a pelvic floor exercise; and (c) displaying on the display device a visual representation of the pressure data during the performance of the pelvic floor exercise by the subject; wherein the pressure sensor apparatus comprises:
an elongate body comprising a flexible substructure having a plurality of openings or pockets;
at least one membrane joined to the flexible substructure and provided over each opening or pocket to provide a plurality of pressure responsive chambers provided successively along the elongate body; and
a pressure sensor device provided in each pressure responsive chamber;
wherein each pressure responsive chamber comprises at least one pressure-transmitting wall, and the flexible substructure provides a pressure resistant barrier between adjacent chambers to mechanically isolate each of the plurality of pressure responsive chambers.

22 . The method of claim 21 further comprising (d) recording the pressure data from steps (b) or (c).

23 . The method of claim 21 further comprising using the pressure data to simultaneously measure or record abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure.

24 . The method of claim 22 further comprising using the pressure data to simultaneously measure or record abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure.

25 . The method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising performing the method under different conditions imposed on an anatomical cavity of the subject.

Assignees

• Auckland Uniservices Ltd

Inventors

• Nielsen Poul Michael Fonss
• Kruger Jennifer Ann
• Budgett David Mortimer
• Taberner Andrew James
• Mccormick John Daniel

Classifications

• A61B5/002

  Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building (A61B5/0017 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B2562/043

  in a linear array · CPC title

• A61B5/036

  by means introduced into body tracts (A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B5/486

  Biofeedback (using electroencephalography [EEG] A61B5/375) · CPC title

• A61B2562/0247

  Pressure sensors · CPC title