Methods and devices for detecting bowel perforation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices to detect perforation of the bowel, for example, resulting from surgical procedures, such as laparoscopy, diagnostic procedures, such as colonoscopy, medical conditions, such as diverticulitis, and trauma. The present disclosure also relates to filtration systems and electrical connector assemblies for use in the methods and devices.

1 . A bowel perforation detection device comprising:
 a sample delivery unit comprising an aspirate filtering means;   a sensing unit comprising a gas-detecting means, a pump, a processor, and a display; and   a connecting means connecting the sample delivery unit and the sensing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said aspirate filtering means comprises a first filter and a second filter. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said first filter is a hydrophobic porous membrane filter having pore sizes ranging from about 100 microns to about 500 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said second filter is a hydrophobic filter having minimum pore size of 0.2 microns or a hydrophilic filter having a minimum pore size of 0.01 microns. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said aspirate filtering means comprises:
 an outer housing section; 
 an inner tubing section, a portion of which is perforated; 
 a sleeve comprising an absorbent wicking material disposed between the perforated tubing and the outer housing; 
 a hydrophobic liquid filter having pore sizes ranging from about 100 microns to about 500 microns; and 
 a gas/microbial filter. 
 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said gas-detecting means is selected from the group consisting of contact gas sensors, non-contact gas sensors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said gas-detecting means is selected from the group consisting of a carbon dioxide gas sensor, a methane gas sensor, a hydrogen gas sensor, a sulfide gas sensor, a nitrogen gas sensor, and combinations thereof 
     
     
         9 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for detecting a bowel perforation injury, said method comprising:
 obtaining an aspirate sample from a abdominal or pelvic cavity of a patient;   filtering said aspirate sample to separate a gas component of the sample;   analyzing said gas component using a gas-detecting means to determine the concentration of gases in the sample;   wherein an elevated level of a gas normally present in the bowel and not normally present in the abdominal or pelvic cavity indicates the presence of a bowel perforation injury.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said gas-detecting means is selected from the group consisting of contact gas sensors, non-contact gas sensors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said gas-detecting means is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide gas sensors, methane gas sensors, hydrogen gas sensors, sulfide gas sensors, nitrogen gas sensors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein filtering said aspirate sample comprises passing the aspirate through a first filter for separating liquid from aspirate and a second filter for separating gas and microbes from aspirate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said first filter is a hydrophobic porous membrane filter having pore sizes ranging from about 100 microns to about 500 microns. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said second filter is a hydrophobic filter having minimum pore size of 0.2 microns or a hydrophilic filter having a minimum pore size of 0.01 microns. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein filtering said aspirate sample comprises passing the sample through a filtration assembly comprising:
 an outer housing section; 
 an inner tubing section, a portion of which is perforated; 
 a sleeve comprising an absorbent wicking material disposed between the perforated tubing and the outer housing; 
 a hydrophobic liquid filter having pore sizes ranging from about 100 microns to about 500 microns; and 
 a gas/microbial filter. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said gas component is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, sulfide, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         24 . A filter assembly comprising:
 an outer housing section;   an inner tubing section, a portion of which is perforated;   a sleeve comprising an absorbent wicking material disposed between the perforated tubing and the outer housing; and   a first filter.   
     
     
         25 . The filter assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the first filter is a hydrophobic liquid filter having pore sizes ranging from about 100 microns to about 500 microns. 
     
     
         26 . The filter assembly of  claim 24 , further comprising a second filter. 
     
     
         27 . The filter assembly of  claim 26  wherein said second filter is a hydrophobic gas/microbial filter having minimum pore size of 0.2 microns or a hydrophilic gas/microbial filter having a minimum pore size of 0.01 microns. 
     
     
         28 . The filter assembly of  claim 24  wherein said absorbent wicking material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose fiber mats and hydrophilic urethane foams. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)