Ambulatory reflux monitoring system

Patent 5479935 Issued on January 2, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 21, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventor

Essen-Moller, Anders

Assignee

Synectics Medical, Inc.

Application

No. 139117 filed on 10/21/1993

US Classes:

600/547, Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of body portion600/593Esophagus, stomach, or lower alimentary canal

Examiners

Primary: Hindenburg, Max

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Glazier; Stephen C.

Foreign Patent References

0073558 EP. 03/13/1983
0080680 EP. 06/13/1983
2453630 DE. 11/13/1980
3140265 DE. 04/13/1983
221635 DE. 05/13/1985
7707275 NL. 01/13/1979
178028 SU. 11/13/1966
272477 SU. 05/13/1968
1502004 SU. 08/13/1989

International Class

A61B 005/05

Abstract

An ambulatory system for recording and analyzing gastroesophageal reflux is presented. The system comprises a digital recorder, an analysis software package and a catheter for measurement of changes in esophageal impedance. For the first time, gastroesophageal reflux can be detected with a pH above 4 (called alkaline reflux), which is the normal pH environment of the healthy esophagus. In addition, one embodiment of the invention allows for the determination of the direction of flow of the detected material in the esophagus, thus enabling the system to distinguish between swallowed saliva and alkaline gastroesophageal reflux. In yet a further embodiment, the present invention allows for recording and analysis of reflux on a non-invasive basis, by using pairs of externally worn impedance sensors. In another embodiment, the invention measures impedance simultaneously with other bio-parameters, such as pH or pressure.

Other References

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The New Yorker, Sep. 20, 1993, T. Monmaney, "Marhsall's Hunch"
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"Ambulatory Monitoring of Gastric Emptying", Hoeft et al., May 16, 1993, American Assoc. of the Study of Live Disease