Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring the breath chemistry of a patient's breath using a specially designed self-condensing sensor module mounted in a mask, nasal cannula, headband with boom apparatus, or similar device for directing the patients' breath towards the self-condensing sensor. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH provided by the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor provides for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values. The specially designed self-condensing sensor module incorporates a data transfer means, e.g. direct wiring or by providing a transmitter with an antenna for wireless transferring of the pH data to a processing receiver. The self-condensing pH sensor comprises a multi-tubular design with the outer tubular member housing a silver chloride reference element, an ion conducting path, and an antimony sensor plug isolated in an inner tubular member that is co-linearly or coaxially configured with the outer tubular member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for stabilizing an extracellular matrix in a wall of a blood vessel. The method comprises delivering a therapeutic agent into mural thrombus, which covers the wall of the blood vessel. The agent is transported from the mural thrombus into the extracellular matrix of the vessel wall by diffusion. The agent then acts to reduce the enzymatic degradation of protein in the extracellular matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for monitoring a patient's breath chemistry comprising a plurality of components, including a self-condensing pH sensor distally mounted on a catheter, a transmitter with hydration sensing circuitry for the pH sensor, and, a processing receiver/data recorder. The specifically designed self-condensing pH sensor located on the distal end of the catheter is designed to be inserted into the patient's airway. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH is accomplished by using the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor, providing for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and a means of constructing a pH sensor that can detect changes in pH levels of humidified gases and liquid samples. When electronically connected to a computerized or analog display means, sensitive quantitative measurements can be obtained. Given the construction of current pH devices available today, there is a need in the field for a novel, miniaturized, self-condensing pH probe that can be used in fluid or humidified gases.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for evaluating the signal strength from the pH sensor to determine whether the sensor is hydrated sufficiently to accurately measure pH. This is accomplished by utilizing circuitry that periodically sends a low voltage signal to a suitable pH sensor and then receiving the resulting waveforms which are analyzed by a processing receiver. The electrical connection between a suitable pH sensor and hydration monitoring circuitry is generally hard wired. In one embodiment, a processing receiver is coupled with the hydration monitoring circuitry as a single apparatus. In a second embodiment, the processing receiver can be independent and located remote from the hydration monitoring circuitry. In this embodiment, the hydration monitoring circuitry and the processing receiver are electrically connected using either hard wired techniques or wireless technology. In addition, the processing receiver can include data recording capability.

Abstract: A sterilization container has an improved elastomeric instrument holder. The instrument holder comprises a panel of elastomer having a projection depending downwardly therefrom and received within an perforation through a perforated surface within the container to hold the panel thereto. An aperture through the panel is adapted for receiving and holding an instrument to be sterilized. An inner surface of the aperture is adapted to have a reduced area of contact with an instrument received within the aperture. For example, the surface may comprise chamfers which meet to form a sharp ridge which contacts the instrument. The contact surface may also be textured to reduce the area of contact with the instrument. Alternatively, the surface may be formed of a material which is sufficiently permeable to a sterilizing gas so as to allow the area of the instrument in contact with the surface to receive a sufficient amount of sterilizing gas to become sterilized.

Abstract: The optical fiber pH microsensor includes an optical fiber having a portion of the surface of a light conducting core covered with a layer of a pH sensitive dye material. The dye material is covalently bonded to a polymeric matrix which is in turn covalently bonded to the optical fiber core to prevent leaching of the indicator dye material during extended use.

Abstract: The reinforced catheter sensor probe for intravascular use includes an aramid strand that extends along the length of the electromagnetic conduits and is bonded thereto. A greater than ten fold increase in tensile strength is thereby achieved. Additionally, the inherent strength of flexibility of the reinforcing strand ensures that a positive interconnection with the distal end of the sensor probe is maintained in the event the sensor probe is subjected to loads that cause its relatively more fragile components to sever. A protective, strain relieving introducer catheter is also provided to substantially prevent kinking and breakage of the sensor probe where the introducer catheter bends.

Abstract: The calibration cuvette apparatus for storing and calibrating a chemical sensor in a tonometered solution includes an upper cuvette section and a lower cylindrical valve section for alternately sealing the cuvette section and admitting a gas mixture to the cuvette section. The upper cuvette section has relatively narrow diameter upper and lower ends on either side of a wide diameter middle portion. The cuvette section is adapted to receive the sensor and retain the sensor in a fluid bath in the cuvette section so that the chemical sensor portion is disposed approximately in the center of the wide middle portion of the cuvette section. The chamber formed within the cuvette section is thus shaped so as to maintain the sensor in a position in the fluid bath so that any gas bubbles within the chamber will not dry the sensor. A lower end portion of the cuvette section includes a gas communication inlet for introducing gas into said chamber to equilibrate the tonometered buffer solution.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an analyte-permeable matrix which supports and maintains an emulsion of a sensing solution containing an analyte-sensitive indicator substance in a plurality of tiny vesicles. The sensing solution is immiscible with the matrix material, and contains a dye indicator which dissociates into two different species. The sensing solution is initially mixed with an agent which modifies the equilibrium of dissociation of the dye indicator for optimal sensitivity. The liquid matrix preferably includes a curing inhibitor to allow the matrix to remain liquid until applied to a sensing surface, such as the tip of an optical fiber. The sensing solution remains suspended in these homogeneously dispersed vesicles after the matrix solidifies.

Abstract: The optical fiber pH microsensor includes an optical fiber having a portion of the surface of a light conducting core covered with a layer of a pH sensitive dye material. The dye material is covalently bonded to a polymeric matrix which is in turn covalently bonded to the optical fiber core to prevent leaching of the indicator dye material during extended use. The dye material is crosslinked in situ over the tip of the optical fiber to yield a hydrophilic, ion permeable pH sensor which can be used intravascularly to monitor blood pH.

Abstract: The optical fiber microsensor includes an optical fiber having a portion of the surface of a light conducting core covered with a layer containing an analyte sensitive dye material. The dye indicator material is covalently bonded to a copolymer which is covalently bonded to a blocked polyether polyisocyanate. The resulting polymer is covalently bonded to the optical fiber core to prevent leaching of the indicator dye material during extended use.

Abstract: The method of stabilizing a carbon dioxide sensor involves formulation of a bicarbonate buffer solution in the sensor with a bicarbonate ion concentration of from about 100 mM to about 200 mM bicarbonate. The method also involves treatment of the sensor to reduce the instability that may occur in carbon dioxide sensors when such sensors are exposed to either very low or very high carbon dioxide levels for extended periods of time. The sensor is treated by exposing the sensor to an aqueous solution containing at least 2 weight percent carbon dioxide, for from several days to several months. The solution may be prepared in advance, or may be dynamically infused with carbon dioxide to provide the desired carbon dioxide content.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an analyte-permeable matrix which supports and maintains a sensing solution containing an analyte-sensitive indicator substance in a plurality of tiny vesicles. The sensor element is prepared by combining the sensing solution with an emuslifier that renders the solution dispersed within the matrix material. The sensing solution remains suspended in these dispersed vesicles after the matrix solidifies. A sensor element made in accordance with the present invention may be placed at the end of an optical fiber.

Abstract: The method of stabilizing a carbon dioxide sensor involves treatment of the sensor to reduce the instability that may occur in carbon dioxide sensors when such sensors are exposed to either very low or very high carbon dioxide levels for extended periods of time. This is accomplished by storing the sensor in an aqueous solution containing at least 2 weight percent carbon dioxide, for from several days to several months. The solution may be prepared in advance, or may be dynamically infused with carbon dioxide to provide the desired carbon dioxide content.

Abstract: The multiple optical fiber event sensor apparatus includes a semipermeable generally cylindrical shaft, one or more optical fiber gas sensor modules within the shaft, and an optical fiber pH sensor module extending beyond the distal end of the shaft, with the sensor modules arranged in an axially staggered relationship. The shaft contains a potting matrix for axially fixing the position of the optical fibers, and includes a gas permeable portion surrounding the one or more gas sensor modules, and a hydrophilic portion covering at least part of the pH sensor module. A hemodynamically shaped, rounded distal end is also provided on the distal end of the shaft. The device provides for a multiplicity of individual sensors incorporated in a single shaft which minimizes cross-interference and thrombus formation when used as an intravascular multi-sensor.