Apparatus for sensing and responding to strain in airway dilation shaft

摘要

An apparatus includes a balloon catheter, an inflatable balloon, and a force sensor. The balloon catheter is operable to communicate fluid to the balloon. The balloon is disposed on the distal end of the balloon catheter. The balloon is positionable within an airway or other anatomical passageway of a patient. The force sensor is positioned along the balloon catheter or in the balloon and is able to detect a physical change within the balloon catheter or balloon. A control logic may trigger a response based on readings by the force measuring device. For instance, the control logic may trigger an alert when a force related parameter exceeds a threshold; or when a rate of change in the parameter exceeds a threshold. In addition or in the alternative, the control logic may trigger a feature that is operable to reduce fluid pressure in the balloon in response to such conditions.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a balloon catheter defining a lumen operable to communicate fluid; (b) an inflatable balloon disposed on the distal end of the balloon catheter, wherein the inflatable balloon is in fluid communication with the lumen, wherein the inflatable balloon is positionable within a passageway within a patient; (c) a force sensor associated with one or both of the balloon catheter or the inflatable balloon, wherein the force sensor is configured to sense force associated one or both of the balloon catheter or the inflatable balloon; (d) a balloon pressure reduction feature operable to reduce fluid pressure in the balloon; and (e) a control module in communication with the balloon pressure reduction feature, wherein the control module is further in communication with the force sensor, wherein the control module is configured to receive force data from the force sensor and compare the force data to a predetermined threshold value.