Blood vessel catheter and injection system for carrying out a blood pressure measurement of a patient

Abstract

An injection system for injecting an injectate fluid into a blood vessel of the patient and for carrying out a blood pressure measurement of a patient. The injection system includes a catheter tube having a first end for penetrating the blood vessel of the patient, and a pressure sensor which is arranged close to a second end of the catheter tube and can sense a pressure of a liquid in the catheter tube as an indication of the blood pressure of the patient.

1 . A blood vessel catheter for locating in close proximity to a patient's body comprising: 
 a catheter tube having a first end for penetrating the blood vessel of the patient and a second end to be placed outside the patient;    a pressure sensor arranged at the second end of the catheter tube adapted to sense a pressure of a liquid in the catheter tube as an indication of the blood pressure of the patient.    
   
   
       2 . The catheter according to  claim 1  wherein the pressure sensor is further adapted to supply an electric pressure signal, the pressure sensor including an electric interface for releasably coupling the pressure sensor to a reusable measurement unit.  
   
   
       3 . The catheter according to  claim 1  further comprising a control valve arranged between the first end of the catheter tube and the pressure sensor, the control valve being adapted to be operated depending on a valve activation signal and further comprising a valve control interface for coupling the control valve with a remote valve control element.  
   
   
       4 . The catheter according to  claim 3  wherein the control valve includes a squeezable tube portion having an adaptable lumen wherein the squeezable tube is provided in such a way to adapt the lumen depending on the valve actuation signal, the valve actuation signal being a pneumatic or hydraulic valve activation signal.  
   
   
       5 . The catheter according to  claim 3  wherein the control valve is coupled to the electric interface for receiving the valve actuation signal, the valve actuation signal being an electric valve activation signal.  
   
   
       6 . The catheter according to  claim 1  further comprising a connector for coupling the catheter tube to a fluid providing unit.  
   
   
       7 . The catheter according to  claim 1  further comprising a shut-off valve arranged upstream to the pressure sensor, the shut-off valve being adapted to be manually operated for controlling a liquid flow through the catheter tube.  
   
   
       8 . A fluid transfer system for rinsing or flushing or injecting fluids into a blood vessel of the patient or drawing blood samples from a blood vessel of the patient and for carrying out a blood pressure measurement of a patient, the system comprising: 
 a catheter tube having a first end for penetrating the blood vessel of the patient; and    a pressure sensor arranged at a second end of the catheter tube and adapted to sense a pressure of a liquid in the catheter tube as an indication of the blood pressure of the patient.    
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8  further comprising a measurement unit electrically coupled to the pressure sensor for determining a pressure value.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 9  further comprising a control valve arranged between the first end of the catheter tube and the pressure sensor, the control valve being adapted to be operated depending on a valve activation signal; and a remote valve control element for providing the valve activation signal.  
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10  further comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic valve activation line to couple the control valve to the valve control element, the valve activation signal being a pneumatic or hydraulic valve activation signal.  
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the control valve includes a squeezable tube portion having a flexible lumen wherein the squeezable tube is provided in such a way to adapt the flexible lumen depending on the pneumatic or hydraulic valve activation signal.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12  further comprising a reservoir for an injectate or infusion medium; a fluid flow section coupled to the catheter tube; and a stop cock adapted to couple the reservoir to the catheter tube in a rinsing position.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13  wherein the stop cock is adapted to couple a reference pressure to the fluid flow section in a nulling position.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the stop cock is coupled to the valve control element in such a way that in the nulling position the control valve is closed.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 13  wherein the stop cock is adapted to cut off the fluid flow in the fluid flow section in a sampling position.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 13  further comprising a flow control unit having an upstream end which is coupled to the stop cock and a downstream end; the flow control unit including: a rinsing capillary for providing a predetermined flow of liquid through the fluid flow section; a first check valve adapted to open if a pressure difference between the downstream end and the upstream end exceeds a predetermined second pressure value; and a second check valve adapted to open if a pressure difference between the upstream end and the downstream end exceeds a predetermined first pressure value.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 17  further comprising a syringe connected to the fluid flow section between the stop cock and the flow control unit for supplying a bolus into the fluid flow section or drawing liquid out of the fluid flow section.