Unit, assembly, device and method for testing a sensor means provided in a medical localisation device

Abstract

A unit, assembly and device suitable for a medical localization device suitable for localizing a region in a body with a distal hollow needle includes a tube extending from a proximal first end to a distal second end. The first end is designed to be in communication with a fluid filled container. The unit includes a first part of sensor means. The first part is a sensor interface, in which the sensor interface is provided to the tube between the first end and the second end. The sensor interface is suitable for observation of the pressure in a fluid in the tube that is in communication with the fluid in the container. The unit includes a closing device distally with respect to the sensor interface for varying the pressure in the fluid in the tube, in which the sensor interface is a membrane.

1 . A unit suitable for a medical localization device suitable for localizing a region in a body with a distal hollow needle, comprising:
 a tube extending from a proximal first end to a distal second end, wherein the first end is designed to be in communication with a fluid filled container;   at least a first part of sensor means, the first part being a sensor interface, in which the sensor interface is provided to the tube between the first end and the second end, in which the sensor interface is suitable for observation of the pressure in a fluid in the tube that is in communication with the fluid in the container; and   a closing device distally with respect to the sensor interface for varying the pressure in the fluid in the tube, in which the sensor interface is a membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein in the closing device is provided with an at least partially flexible balloon that is in open communication with the tube, and wherein in which the balloon closes the tube on pressure when the balloon is compressed. 
     
     
         3 . The unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the tube is divided in a first tube portion and a second tube portion, and wherein in which the balloon provides a communication between the first tube portion and the second tube portion. 
     
     
         4 . The unit according to  claim 2 , wherein an opening is provided in the outer wall of the tube through which the balloon extends, such that the balloon defines an inner part and an outer part, and wherein the inner part closes the tube on pressure when the outer part is compressed. 
     
     
         5 . The unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising first coupling means at the first end, that provide a releasable communication between the fluid filled container and the first end of the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising second coupling means at the second end, that provide a releasable communication between the hollow needle and the second end of the tube. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly, comprising:
 a unit according to  claim 1 ; and   a hollow needle that is in releasable communication with the second end of the tube.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the closing device is provided to the tube. 
     
     
         9 . A medical localization device, comprising:
 a unit according to  claim 1 ;   the fluid filled container that is in releasable communication with the first end of the tube; and   at least a second part of the sensor means, the second part being a generator for generation of an electric pressure signal that is representative of an observation from the sensor interface.   
     
     
         10 . A method for testing a sensor means provided in a medical localization device suitable for localizing a region in a body with a distal hollow needle, in which prior to the method the medical localization device comprises a closing device in a first state of the closing device, comprising the steps of:
 introducing a fluid into the medical localization device;   determining the pressure in the fluid using the sensor means, in which the sensor means generates a pressure signal which is representative of the pressure in the fluid;   applying an elevated pressure to the fluid;   operating the closing device to a second state of the closing device, such that the pressure in the fluid varies;   making a first observation of the pressure signal prior to a variation resulting from the operation of the closing device or the appliance of an elevated pressure to the fluid;   making a second observation of the pressure signal after a variation of the pressure in the fluid resulting from the operation of the closing device or the appliance of an elevated pressure to the fluid; and   comparing the first observation with the second observation, in which the comparison is representative to the operation of the sensor means.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein a pumping means is provided in the medical localization device for the appliance of an elevated pressure to the fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the second state of the closing device is setting a communication between the fluid and an ambient pressure, such that the pressure in the fluid decreases. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the second state of the closing device is closing the medical localization device from pressure, such that the pressure in the fluid increases. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the medical localization device is provided with a tube and with a fluid filled container and the method comprises the step of:
 coupling a proximal first end of the tube with the fluid filled container using first coupling means, wherein the first coupling means provide a releasable communication between the container and the first end of the tube. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the medical localization device is provided with a tube and with a hollow needle and the method comprises the step of:
 coupling a distal second end of the tube with the hollow needle using second coupling means, wherein in which the second coupling means provide a releasable communication between the hollow needle and the second end of the tube. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein in which the hollow needle is at least partly inside the body, such as a human body. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to one of the  claim 10 , wherein in which the medical localization device is entirely outside a human body.