Methods and Devices for Controlling Biologic Microenvironments

Abstract

A microenvironment of a biological body is controlled, and more particularly, is measured, changed, and monitored with respect to temperature, pH level, moisture and other tissue parameters of a region of the body while, optionally, administering a therapeutic agent to that region.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling an environment of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, said system comprising:
 a conduit configured to direct a fluid stream toward the environment;   a sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of one of the environment;   an effector comprising a reservoir operatively connected to the conduit and containing an agent in selective communication with the conduit, wherein the agent is configured to change the at least one parameter of the environment; and   a controller configured to selectively activate the effector based on a signal received from the sensor to deliver the agent into the conduit.   
     
     
         21 . A system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the agent is a fluid agent. 
     
     
         22 . A system as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the controller comprises a reservoir controller configured to selectively release the fluid agent into the conduit to change the parameter of the environment. 
     
     
         23 . A system as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the fluid agent is fluidly separated from the conduit until the reservoir controller releases the fluid agent into the conduit. 
     
     
         24 . A system as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the sensor comprises a pH sensor. 
     
     
         25 . A system as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the fluid agent comprises a pH controlling substance, whereby release of the agent into the conduit adjusts a pH of the fluid stream. 
     
     
         26 . A system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the pH controlling substance is configured to make the fluid stream more basic. 
     
     
         27 . A system as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein the pH controlling substance comprises a calcium-based substance. 
     
     
         28 . A system as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein the pH controlling substance comprises at least one of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, and calcium sulfate. 
     
     
         29 . A system as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the pH controlling substance is configured to make the fluid stream more acidic. 
     
     
         30 . A system as set forth in  claim 29 , wherein the pH controlling substance comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         31 . A system as set forth in  claim 20 , further comprising temperature effector, a temperature sensor, and a temperature controller. 
     
     
         32 . A method of controlling an environment of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, said method comprising:
 positioning a conduit to direct a fluid stream toward the environment;   directing the fluid stream through the conduit toward the environment;   sensing at least one parameter of the environment with a sensor;   receiving a sensor signal from the sensor with a controller, the sensor signal being indicative of the at least one parameter of the environment;   sending a control signal from the controller to an effector operatively connected to the conduit based on the received sensor signal; and   activating, in response to the control signal, the effector to deliver an agent from a reservoir of the effector into the conduit to change the parameter of the environment.   
     
     
         33 . A method as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the sensor comprises a pH sensor, and the agent adjusts the pH of the fluid stream.