Media.Player

Device for Detecting Contaminants in CO2 Dispensers Before and During CO2 Angiography

标题

Apparatuses and Methods for Detecting Gas Contamination

详细技术说明

None

*Abstract

Invention

The University of Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing a sensor that will detect the presence of contaminants in carbon dioxide (CO2) dispensers before and during angiogram procedures. Used to visualize organs and blood vessels, CO2 angiography has several advantages over traditional medical-imaging techniques. Approaches that require the injection of a liquid contrast medium are particularly risky for patients who are allergic to one or more of its components and for those with compromised liver or kidney function. Even among persons with no known risk factors, side effects can range from vomiting and mild hives to renal failure and even death. Approximately 157 out of every 100,000 patients will develop severe reactions following contrast media injection. Comparatively, the proper use of CO2 for angiographic purposes does not cause allergic reactions or damage to vital organs. It is also less expensive and more comfortable for patients. Unfortunately, an inability to ensure contaminant identification has prevented CO2 angiography’s widespread acceptance by the medical community. A University of Florida researcher has developed a sensor that will vastly improve the safety of this important diagnostic procedure.

Application

A detector that identifies the presence of air or nitrogen contaminants in carbon dioxide reservoirs, permitting the widespread use of CO2 angiography

Advantages

• Eliminates the need to inject liquid contrast mediums for medical imaging techniques dramatically improving patient safety
• Uses CO2, avoiding allergic reactions and damage to the liver and kidneys
• Detects contaminants, overcoming an obstacle to CO2 angiography’s widespread adoption
• Sensitive to even trace amounts of air or nitrogen in CO2 reservoirs, preventing human error that can lead to blood vessel occlusion
• Does not limit total volumes (provided doses are administered at least two minutes apart), lengthening healthcare providers’ viewing times for more accurate diagnoses

Technology

Carbon dioxide has unique properties that make it particularly useful as a contrast agent in diagnostic imaging procedures. For example, CO2 is non-allergenic and safe for patients with poor renal function. The main impediment to CO2 angiography’s widespread adoption, however, has been an inability to detect dangerous nitrogen and air contamination in carbon dioxide reservoirs. A University of Florida researcher has developed an optical spectrometer that is sensitive to infiltration by these colorless and odorless gasses. When the device detects contaminants, it immediately shuts down CO2 delivery, protecting patients from embolisms (blood vessel occlusion caused by trapped air/nitrogen). The incorporation of this device into CO2 delivery systems will eliminate the potential for human error, perhaps allowing CO2 angiograms to become the standard protocol for diagnostic imaging.

*IP Issue Date

Oct 13, 2015

*IP Publication Date

May 23, 2013

*Principal Investigation

Name: Ray Thomas

Department:

申请日期

Jan 29, 2013

申请号码

9,155,831

其他

国家/地区

美国