APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR NONINVASIVE MONITORING OF CANCEROUS CELLS

摘要

A system for noninvasively monitoring cancerous cells within bodily fluid accumulated due to ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable pump having control circuitry; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge and communicate with the implantable pump to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable pump and charging and communication system. The implantable pump is configured to move fluid containing cancerous cells from a body cavity to the bladder such that the fluid may be excreted during urination, collected and analyzed with an analysis station to assess progress of the cancer or efficacy of a cancer treatment program.

主权项

1. A system for noninvasive monitoring of cancerous cells of a patient having cancer, comprising:
an inflow catheter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end adapted to be positioned within a body cavity having an accumulation of fluid comprising cancerous cells; an outflow catheter having an inlet end and an outlet end adapted to be positioned in a bladder; an implantable pump having a first controller, an inlet port coupled to the outlet end of the inflow catheter and an outlet port coupled to the inlet end of the outflow catheter, the first controller is programmed to selectively activate the implantable pump to move the fluid comprising cancerous cells from the inlet end of the inflow catheter to the bladder during predetermined time periods; and an analysis station configured to analyze fluid including cancerous cells excreted from the bladder during urination to determine a parameter indicative of the progress of the cancer or an efficacy of a program to treat to the cancer.