Access devices for measuring temperature of a patient

Abstract

An access device such as a catheter, or introducer, or any combination of the above is provided. Within the access device is at least one lumen, channel or instrument that carries or itself is a thermally active mass, such as infusion fluids, control wires, etc. A temperature sensor such as a thermistor is secured to the access device in order to measure the temperature of a temperature medium, typically blood, in a patient. Various insulating lumens, insulating members and mounting and extrusion configurations are provided by the invention to insulate the temperature sensor thermally from the thermal mass, which might otherwise degrade the accuracy of the temperature measurement. The invention also provides an arrangement whereby the temperature sensor is connected to an external monitor for display of the patient's temperature.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A device for measuring a temperature of a temperature medium of a patient, the device comprising: 
 an access device insertable into the patient at a location of the temperature medium, the access device including an outer wall and at least one thermal mass other than the temperature medium, wherein the thermal mass is located within a thermal lumen defined in the access device;    a carrier configured to extend through a carrier lumen of the access device; and    a temperature sensor supported by the carrier;    wherein a port is defined in the outer wall of the access device in direct communication with the carrier lumen and the carrier is configured to position the temperature sensor proximal to the port to allow direct contact of the temperature medium with the temperature sensor.    
     
     
         22 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein the carrier is positioned between the temperature sensor and the thermal mass so as to insulate the temperature sensor from the thermal mass.  
     
     
         23 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein the port is larger than the temperature sensor and the carrier is configured to position the temperature sensor subjacent and within the port, allowing the temperature sensor to be substantially surrounded by and in direct contact with the temperature medium.  
     
     
         24 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein the temperature sensor is mounted to the carrier by a thermally stable adhesive.  
     
     
         25 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein the a distal end of the carrier is configured to extend out of the opening.  
     
     
         26 . A device of  claim 25 , wherein the distal end of the carrier is further configured to bend back along the outer wall and away from a direction of insertion.  
     
     
         27 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein a signal wire extends from the temperature sensor and at least partially along the carrier.  
     
     
         28 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein the carrier is configured to extend out of the port past the outer wall so as to position the temperature sensor in the temperature meeting.  
     
     
         29 . A device of  claim 28 , wherein the carrier is biased to extend out of the port.  
     
     
         30 . A device of  claim 29 , wherein the carrier is biased to form an elbow joint.  
     
     
         31 . A device of  claim 30 , wherein a signal wire is connected to the sensor and is also configured to form the elbow joint.  
     
     
         32 . A device of  claim 31 , further comprising an adhesive compound extending over the sensor so as to keep the carrier and signal wire straight until dissolved by contact with the temperature medium.  
     
     
         33 . A device of  claim 28 , wherein the carrier is a short tubular member that contains the thermal sensor.  
     
     
         34 . A device of  claim 33 , wherein the tubular member has ends anchored within the access device and a middle portion extending through the port.  
     
     
         35 . A device of  claim 34 , wherein the tubular member forms a loop with respect to the access device.  
     
     
         36 . A device of  claim 35 , wherein the tubular member is configured to extend straight within the carrier lumen during insertion of the access device within the patient.  
     
     
         37 . A device of  claim 27 , wherein the signal wire includes a substantially right angle bend adjacent the temperature sensor.  
     
     
         38 . A device of  claim 21 , wherein the carrier is a signal wire connected to the temperature sensor.  
     
     
         39 . A device of  claim 38 , wherein the temperature sensor is supported within the port by an adhesive compound.  
     
     
         40 . A method of measuring a temperature of a temperature medium of a patient, the method comprising: 
 inserting an access device into the patient at a location of the temperature medium;    positioning a carrier supporting a temperature sensor in a carrier lumen of the access device until the temperature sensor is proximal to a port defined in an outer wall of the access device; and    directly contacting the temperature medium through the port with the temperature sensor and measuring the temperature of the temperature medium.    
     
     
         41 . A device for measuring a temperature of a temperature medium of a patient, the device comprising: 
 an access device insertable into the patient at a location of the temperature medium, the access device including an outer wall and at least one thermal mass other than the temperature medium wherein the thermal mass is located within a thermal lumen defined in the access device;    a temperature sensor supported on the outer wall of the access device so as to directly contact the temperature medium; and    a signal wire connected to the temperature sensor and extending through an opening in the outer wall, into the access device and away from the patient within the access device.    
     
     
         42 . A device of  claim 41 , further comprising an adhesive compound securing the temperature sensor to the access device.  
     
     
         43 . A device for measuring a temperature of a temperature medium of a patient, the device comprising: 
 an access device insertable into the patient at a location of the temperature medium, the access device including at least one thermal mass other than the temperature medium wherein the thermal mass is located within a thermal lumen defined in the access device;    a temperature sensor; and    an tip affixed to a distal end of the access device for positioning within the temperature medium and including an opening extending therethrough into communication with the thermal lumen, wherein the tip is comprised of an insulative material and supports the temperature sensor.    
     
     
         44 . A device of  claim 43 , wherein the tip includes a split extending between the opening and the temperature sensor.  
     
     
         45 . A device of  claim 44 , wherein a portion of the tip supporting the temperature sensor is configured to separate along the split from another portion of the tip through which the opening extends.