MEDICO-TECHNICAL MEASURING DEVICE AND MEASURING METHOD

Abstract

A medico-technical measuring device for measuring a property of a fluid, such as pressure for pressure measurement, includes a line extending along a central longitudinal axis to guide a fluid, such as blood, within a longitudinal cavity delimited by a wall. A sensor unit has a sensor and measures a property of the fluid guided in the longitudinal cavity. The line is provided with a radial cavity inserted in the wall in a radial direction, in which the sensor unit is at least partially arranged, and which is integrated in the wall such that the sensor is in communication with the fluid. In this way, a measuring device can be provided that allows simple handlingin particular, in combination with a comparatively precise measurementespecially, pressure measurement. The measuring device may be produced according to a method and the measuring device may be used in a measuring method.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A medico-technical measuring device for measuring a property of a fluid, comprising: a line which extends along a central longitudinal axis and is configured to guide a fluid within a longitudinal cavity delimited by a wall; and a sensor unit with a sensor, configured to measure a property of the fluid guided in the longitudinal cavity; wherein the line has a radial cavity defined in the wall in a radial direction, and wherein the sensor unit is at least partially arranged in the radial cavity and is integrated in the wall, such that the sensor is in communication with the fluid.

18. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the measuring device is configured to connect the sensor unit in a single interface with the line.

19. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the measuring device is configured to attach the sensor unit directly to an external sleeve surface of the wall.

20. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the wall of the line has an external sleeve surface and an internal sleeve surface, the sensor being arranged in a radial position between the external sleeve surface and the internal sleeve surface of the wall inside the wall and spaced from the external sleeve surface.

21. A measuring device according to claim 20, wherein the sensor is disposed closer to the internal sleeve surface than to the external sleeve surface.

22. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the radial cavity is an opening.

23. A measuring device according to claim 22, wherein the opening is a cylindrical bore with a uniform diameter.

24. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein a diameter or an extent of a cross section of the radial cavity is smaller than a section of the sensor unit that corresponds geometrically thereto, wherein the radial cavity, together with the sensor unit and/or the sensor, forms an oversize fit to which the wall can be sealed in a fluid-tight manner.

25. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor unit is configured to position the sensor in a predefined radial position in the radial cavity.

26. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor unit has an abutting section that geometrically corresponds to an external sleeve surface of the wall, at least in the area of the radial cavity.

27. A measuring device according to claim 26, wherein the abutting section geometrically corresponds circumferentially around the radial cavity.

28. A measuring device according to claim 27, wherein the sensor unit is partially arranged in the radial cavity in the wall and integrated in the wall such that the sensor is in communication with the fluid and such that the abutting section of the sensor unit lies circumferentially around the radial cavity and to geometrically correspond to the external sleeve surface of the wall.

29. A measuring device according to claim 27, wherein the abutting section of the sensor unit in the area of the radial cavity and circumferentially around the radial cavity is connected substance-to-substance with the external sleeve surface of the wall.

30. A measuring device according to claim 29, wherein the substance-to-substance connection is by means of an adhesive agent.

31. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor unit has a radial section in which the sensor is arranged, wherein the radial section has an extension in a radial direction, the extension being larger than half of a wall thickness of the wall of the line in a section in which the radial cavity is arranged.

32. A measuring device according to claim 31, wherein the radial section of the sensor unit is formed from a plastic material.

33. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the sensor unit is formed from a plastic material.

34. A measuring device according to claim 17, wherein the measuring device is a disposable device provided for one-time use.

35. A measuring device according to claim 34, wherein the sensor unit has a coupling point for a communication and/or energy supply

36. A measuring device according to claim 35, wherein the communication is for a transmission by wire over a cable or for a wireless transmission.

37. A measuring system for extra-corporeal circulation with at least two measuring devices according to claim 17, wherein one of the measuring devices has a feed line, and the other of the measuring devices has a discharge line.

38. A measuring system according to claim 17, wherein the fluid is blood.

39. A measuring system according to claim 17, wherein the property of the fluid is pressure.

40. A medico-technical measuring device for measuring a property of a fluid, comprising: a line which extends along a central longitudinal axis and is configured to guide a fluid within a longitudinal cavity delimited by a wall; and a sensor unit with a sensor, configured to measure a property of the fluid guided in the longitudinal cavity; wherein the line has a radial cavity defined in the wall in a radial direction, and wherein the sensor unit is at least partially arranged in the radial cavity and is integrated in the wall, such that the sensor is in communication with the fluid, the sensor having a surface positioned within the wall.

41. A method for producing a medico-technical measuring device according to claim 17, comprising the steps of: providing a flexible and pliable hose line with a wall; arranging a sensor in the line; wherein a radial cavity is inserted in the wall in a radial direction, and the sensor is arranged in the radial cavity.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the sensor is arranged in a radial position between an external sleeve surface and an internal sleeve surface of the wall.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein the measuring device is connected substance-to-substance with an external sleeve surface of the wall, and/or the sensor in the radial cavity is positioned fluid-tight in the wall.

44. A method for measuring a property of a fluid by means of a medico-technical measuring device according to claim 17, comprising the steps of: guiding a fluid through a line within a longitudinal cavity delimited by a wall; measuring a property by means of a sensor of the measuring device; wherein that the property is measured in a radial cavity inserted in the wall in which the sensor is positioned.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the sensor is positioned in a radial position between an external sleeve surface and an internal sleeve surface of the wall distanced from the external sleeve surface.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the sensor is positioned in a radial position closer to the internal sleeve surface than to the external sleeve surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] FIG. 1 is a perspectival view in a schematic representation of a line of a medico-technical measuring device according to one embodiment example of the invention;

[0069] FIG. 2 is a perspectival view in a schematic representation of a sensor unit of a medico-technical measuring device according to one embodiment example of the invention in an arrangement on the line shown in FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 3 is a side view in a schematic representation of a medico-technical measuring device according to one embodiment example of the example;

[0071] FIGS. 4 and 5 are different perspectival sliced views in a schematic representation of the medico-technical measuring device shown in FIG. 3; and

[0072] FIG. 6 is a side view in a schematic representation of a sensor unit of a medico-technical measuring device according to one embodiment example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] In connection with the description of the following figures, reference is made to the embodiment example in FIG. 1 for reference signs which are not explicitly explained.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a line 20 in the form of a hose line which has a wall 22. The line 20 can be designed from an elastic material and be flexible or pliable. The wall 22 has an external sleeve surface 22.1 and an internal sleeve surface 22.2. The wall 22 or the internal sleeve surface 22.2 delimits a longitudinal cavity 24, in which a fluidin particular, bloodcan be guided. The line 20 extends in a longitudinal direction along a central longitudinal axis M. A radial cavity 26 is inserted in the wall 22 in a radial direction r. The radial cavity 26 is a radial opening in the form of a hole, which extends from the external sleeve surface 22.1 to the internal sleeve surface 22.2 and forms a passage. A sensor or a sensor unit can now be positioned in this passage, and a seal can thereby ensue by means of the sensor or the sensor unit, as is explained in connection with the following figures.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a medico-technical measuring device 10 which has the line 20 and a sensor unit 30 described in FIG. 1. A sensor 32 is arranged in or on the sensor unit 30. The sensor 32 can be interpreted as a component of the sensor unit 30. The sensor 32, or, at least partially, the sensor unit 30 also, is arranged in the radial cavity 26, wherein the sensor 32 is positioned between the external sleeve surface 22.1 and the internal sleeve surface 22.2. The sensor unit 30 has a radial section 36 extending in a radial direction and an abutting section 38 extending in a longitudinal direction. The radial section 36 comprises a sensor mounting 34, in which the sensor 32 is arranged. The sensor mounting 34 and/or the sensor 32 are designed to geometrically correspond to the radial cavity 26. The abutting section 38 abuts against the external sleeve surface 22.1in particular, flat circumferentially around the radial cavity 26.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a medico-technical measuring system 1, which comprises inter alia the medico-technical measuring device 10 depicted in FIG. 2, as well as an extrusion 9 with a passage 9.1, wherein the sensor 32 is in communication with the environment U via the passage 9.1. The sensor 32 is covered by a cover 14 and protected by an air-permeable, water-repellent membrane 16. FIG. 3 shows in detail that the radial section 36 abuts in an exactly flat manner against an internal surface 26.1 of the radial cavity 26in particular, circumferentiallyin order to be able to ensure a sealing of the longitudinal cavity. However, the abutting section 38 contacts only the external sleeve surface 22.1 and, in fact, in sectionsdirectly and/or, optionally (as indicated), indirectly via an adhesive agent 12. The adhesive agent 12 is preferably provided completely circumferentially around the radial cavity 26 on the external sleeve surface 22.1 and/or the abutting section. However, the adhesive agent 12 is not provided on the internal surface 26.1in particular, to be able to avoid contact with the fluid guided in the longitudinal cavity.

[0077] The radial position of the sensor 32 explained by means of FIG. 3 is given only as an example. The radial position of the sensor 32 can deviate from the position shown. In particular, the sensor 32 can be arranged further inside closer to the internal sleeve surface 22.2, which can provide advantages in many applications, e.g., advantages of a direct inline measurement in the flow path, i.e., at least almost without the influence of any flow swirls on any undercuts or edges.

[0078] The wall 22 has a wall thickness r22, which is, for example, in the range of 1 mm to 5 mmin particular, in the range of 1.6 mm to 2.4 mm. The radial position of the sensor 32 is at least approximately central in relation to the external and internal sleeve surfaces 22.1, 22.2. The radial section 36 can, however, have a larger radial extension than shown. In particular, the radial section 36 can have a radial extension which is in the range of the wall thickness r22.

[0079] FIGS. 4 and 5 show further components of the measurement system 1in particular, a female plug 5which provides a coupling point for a communication and/or energy supply, and a button 7 for manual operation of the measurement system 1. The female plug 5 is connected to the sensor unit 30 and the sensor 32 by means of an adapter cable 3, which is arranged in the extrusion 9.

[0080] The female plug 5 shown in FIG. 5 is configured to accommodate either a plug in conjunction with an (external) cable or a type of stick or module. The stick can ensure wireless communication, e.g., via WLAN, radio, or Bluetooth. The stick can also have an energy supply, e.g., a battery. The female plug 5 can thereby have the same form for both variants, so that a user can decide in each case whether a wired energy supply and communication is required, or whether the communication should be effected wirelessly and the energy supply provided via the stick, e.g., by means of batteries integrated in the stick. Both the cable and the stick can thereby be used multiple times. In other words, the medico-technical measuring system 1 or the medico-technical measuring device 10 can be provided for one-time use (disposable), and, prior to disposal, the cable or the stick can be uncoupled from the female plug.

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a medico-technical measuring device 10 which is assembled comparably to the sensor unit 30 shown in FIG. 2. With this sensor unit 30, the extension of the radial section 36 is adjusted to the wall thickness of the wall 22, such that the sensor 32 is arranged flush with the internal sleeve surface 22.2.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0082] 1 Medico-technical measuring systemin particular, pressure measurement system [0083] 3 Adapter cable [0084] 5 Female plug [0085] 7 Button [0086] 9 Extrusion [0087] 9.1 Passage in extrusion [0088] 10 Medico-technical measuring device [0089] 12 Adhesive agentin particular, glue [0090] 14 Coverin particular, protective cap [0091] 16 Membrane [0092] 20 Linein particular, hose line [0093] 22 Wall [0094] 22.1 External sleeve surface of the wall [0095] 22.2 Internal sleeve surface of the wall [0096] 24 Longitudinal cavity [0097] 26 Radial cavityin particular, radial opening [0098] 26.1 Internal sleeve surface of the radial cavity [0099] 30 Sensor unitin particular, pressure sensor unit [0100] 32 Sensorin particular, pressure sensor [0101] 34 Sensor mounting [0102] 36 Radial section [0103] 38 Abutting section [0104] M Central longitudinal axis [0105] r Radial direction [0106] r22 Wall thickness of the wall