Wick catheter pressure sensing probe and method of use

摘要

This invention relates to a clinical wick catheter and to a technique for measuring tissue fluid pressure and also collecting tissue fluid by the catheter. A catheter tube has a wick positioned in one end which is drawn into place by a monofilament tether extending through the catheter tube. In use, a sheathed placement needle is first partially inserted beneath the skin and fascia of the subject patient; the needle is partially retracted into the sheath; the assembly is then further inserted into the muscle tissue of interest. The needle is then withdrawn and replaced by the catheter which is inserted, wick first, through the sheath until the wick resides in the tissue region of interest. Thereafter, the interstitial fluids soak into the wick and the pressure transmitted through the catheter via the medium of a saline solution which fills the catheter. The outer end of the catheter is connected to pressure (negative or positive) measuring equipment, such as a manometer.