Advancements in medical technology have led to the development of innovative medical devices that are doing things once far out of reach for improved patient care and outcomes.
Image Credit: Amphenol Advanced Sensors
One noteworthy example is the catheter, which has evolved into a versatile medical instrument extensively employed in healthcare settings for diverse purposes, such as administering medication and fluids.
Through the integration of sensors, catheters continue to become increasingly sophisticated, enabling the provision of real-time patient health data and facilitating more precise diagnoses and treatments.
This article delves into the manifold applications of sensor technology in healthcare, focusing specifically on how sensors are enhancing the delivery of patient care.
Applications of sensors in healthcare: Four catheter types and sensors
In healthcare, various catheters are utilized, incorporating sensor technology, each with distinct applications and advantages. This article delves into four prevalent catheter types, examining the sensors they employ to enhance patient care.
- Cardiac catheter
- Urinary (Foley) catheter
- Esophageal catheter
- Intracranial catheter
1. Cardiac catheter
The use of cardiac catheters in critical and high-risk medical procedures, such as measuring pressures within the heart or performing angioplasty to open blocked arteries, is widespread.
These catheters are equipped with temperature and pressure sensors that detect and measure vital signs like cardiac output, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation levels. They also provide medical professionals with valuable insights into a patient's condition.
Temperature
Measuring cardiac output using a catheter and temperature sensor is a technique that is often employed to help evaluate the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. This method is commonly utilized in critical care environments, such as the management of patients with heart failure, shock, or other cardiac ailments.
A cardiac catheter equipped with a thermistor is inserted into a pulmonary artery. Various approaches can be employed to manipulate temperature and ascertain blood flow. One method involves utilizing a catheter-wrapped heater to warm the blood, while another involves injecting cool saline into the right atrium to cool the blood.
The sensor measures its temperature as the heated or cooled blood passes through the pulmonary artery and comes into contact with the thermistor.
The fundamental principle underlying this technique is that the heart pumps blood at a rate proportional to the amount of heat it generates.
Therefore, by gauging the temperature of blood in a pulmonary artery, where blood flow closely aligns with cardiac output, and comparing it to the temperature of blood in a peripheral vein, where blood flow is slower, it becomes possible to estimate cardiac output and determine the likelihood of obstructions.
Pressure
Cardiac catheterization with fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a medical procedure employed to assess the severity of blockages in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.
This is typically performed when a patient exhibits symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, and when other non-invasive tests like stress tests or echocardiograms have failed to provide a definitive diagnosis.
During the procedure, a thin, flexible catheter is inserted into an artery, usually in the groin or arm, and carefully guided through the blood vessels to reach the heart. A contrast dye is then injected through the catheter, enabling the visualization of the coronary arteries on an X-Ray monitor.
Equipped with a pressure sensor, the catheter allows physicians to measure the pressure difference across a narrowed segment of a coronary artery. The doctor then calculates the FFR, which is the ratio of the maximum blood flow through the narrowed section of the artery to the maximum blood flow if the artery were completely unobstructed.
Traditionally, this measurement has been performed using a pressure sensor in the capital equipment, but with the advancements in sensor technology, it can now be conducted directly within the body.
2. Urinary (Foley) catheter
While its primary purpose is to drain the bladder, a urinary – or Foley – catheter may serve a dual function in patient monitoring.
As the device is inserted into the patient's body, typically after surgery, outfitting it with a thermistor sensor allows for the monitoring of core body temperature. In essence, there is no better way to measure a patient's core body temperature than from the inside.
Especially after surgery, measuring a patient's core body temperature is critical as fluctuations in this vital sign can indicate infection, inflammation, or other serious complications.
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Other serious complications
Having this information provides valuable insights into the overall condition of the patient and offers essential guidance for their care during the recovery process.
3. Esophageal catheter
An esophageal catheter is a medical device utilized for temperature measurement during specific medical procedures, including cardiac ablation.
Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive technique that employs radiofrequency energy to eliminate irregular heart tissue causing abnormal heart rhythm. To prevent life-threatening damage, monitoring the temperature of the esophagus is crucial during this procedure, as heating the tissue too much can cause life-threatening damage.
The catheter is inserted through the patient's mouth and guided down the esophagus near the heart.
Equipped with temperature sensors, primarily an NTC thermistor, the catheter provides real-time temperature measurements of the esophagus. These sensors offer valuable information regarding tissue temperature, enabling the medical team to make necessary adjustments to the ablation procedure and prevent harm.
The use of an esophageal catheter for temperature measurement during ablation offers several advantages:
- Provides a more accurate measurement of temperature than other methods, such as surface temperature measurements.
- Allows for continuous monitoring of temperature, which is important during a procedure where the temperature can change rapidly.
- It can help the medical team avoid complications by providing feedback about the temperature of the tissue in real-time.
4. Intracranial catheter
Similar to a cardiac catheter, an intracranial catheter with both temperature and pressure sensors provide medical caregivers with multiple means of monitoring a patient's condition.
Temperature
Temperature sensors in intracranial catheters are employed for monitoring patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) or undergone specific neurosurgical procedures.
These catheters are designed to measure brain temperature, providing crucial information about the patient's condition.
During a neurosurgical procedure, an intracranial catheter is inserted into the brain through a small hole in the skull. The catheter contains one or more temperature sensors positioned at various locations within the brain. Temperature changes may indicate significant issues like bleeding or swelling.
In the case of TBI patients, intracranial catheters with temperature sensors serve a similar purpose. Elevated brain temperature can signify inflammation or infection, both of which are serious complications of TBI.
By closely monitoring brain temperature, doctors can identify these complications early and initiate timely treatment.
Pressure
Pressure sensors in intracranial catheters play a similar role. They are employed in patients who have undergone neurosurgical procedures such as craniotomy or shunt placement, as well as those experiencing TBI. These pressure sensors enable the measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP), a crucial metric for patient care and recovery.
Changes in ICP can be caused by conditions such as brain swelling, bleeding, or the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. In certain instances, elevated ICP can be an indicator of an impending stroke.
By measuring ICP using an intracranial catheter, medical professionals can detect changes that may necessitate immediate intervention.
Catheter design for sensor technology
Regardless of their intended application, a catheter is much like any other medical device that takes measurements – it is only as good as the sensor technology behind it.
The design of a catheter integrated with sensor technology holds immense significance in ensuring precise and dependable measurements. Development of the catheter must prioritize minimizing external interference to its sensors, including factors like surrounding tissues and fluids.
The catheter design must also account for the sensor's size, shape, and materials used, ensuring compatibility with the patient's body and reducing the risk of adverse reactions.
Designing a catheter for sensor technology is a complex process that demands meticulous consideration of various factors. A well-crafted catheter incorporating advanced sensor technology can offer valuable insights into a patient's health, facilitating personalized and efficient healthcare delivery.
Catheters and sensors: Maximized patient care
Catheters have emerged as a potent tool for healthcare professionals, enabling real-time monitoring and measurement of vital signs through integrated sensor technology. Equipped with customized sensors, these devices empower caregivers to closely monitor patients and intervene promptly when necessary.
By harnessing the capabilities of sensors in healthcare applications, such as catheterization procedures, medical providers are now better equipped than ever to deliver high-quality patient care.
About Amphenol Advanced Sensors
Amphenol Advanced Sensors, with its portfolio of industry-leading brands - Thermometrics, NovaSensor, Telaire, Protimeter and Kaye - is an innovator in advanced sensing technologies and innovative embedded measurement solutions customized for regulatory and applications, value by providing critical information for real-time decisions.
We offer domain expertise, rapid customization, world-class manufacturing capability and lasting customer relationships deliver the greatest value in cost of ownership to their customers.
Amphenol Advanced Sensors is a member of the USA-based Amphenol Corporation. With our own global presence we offer our customers exceptional technical support and service in the areas of development, production and distribution.
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