WO2005073701A1

Conductive polymer materials and applications thereof including monitoring and providing effective therapy

Abstract

Conductive materials and devices, apparatuses, systems and methods that employ same. The conductive material can include a conductive polymer material that can be utilized to monitor one or a combination of conditions during patient therapy, such as patient access, solution compounding and the like. This can facilitate the safe and effective administration of patient theraply, such as dialysis therapy.

WO2005073701A1, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 18

Term

No projected expiry on record.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Published
  4. Today

82 claims: 9 independent, 73 dependent

  1. 1
    CLAIMS The invention is claimed as follows:1. A conductive material comprising a conductive polymer component electrically sensitive to a condition change when in contact with a solution used during dialysis therapy.
  2. 11
    A coupler comprising a conductive polymer material that is so constructed and arranged to join tubing.
  3. 19
    A sensor apparatus comprising an electrode including a conductive polymer material.
  4. 32
    An apparatus for detecting dislodgment of an access device inserted into a patient during medical therapy, the apparatus comprising:a blood circuit connecting the patient to an extracorporeal blood system wherein the blood circuit includes a blood tubing set having a first tube member connected to a first access device and a second tube member connected to a second access device and wherein the first access device and the second access device are each insertable within the patient such that blood flows between the patient and the extracorporeal blood system via the blood circuit;a first electrode and a second electrode in fluid contact with the blood and spaced apart from the first access device and the second access device, respectively, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a conductive polymer material;and a controller in electrical contact with each of the first electrode and the second electrode wherein the apparatus is capable of detecting a change in impedance in response to dislodgment of at least one of the first access device and the second access device.
  5. 39
    An apparatus for monitoring delivery of a solution to a patient via an access device insertable within the patient during medical therapy, the apparatus comprising:a tube member connecting the patient to a fluid system from which the solution flows into the patient via the access device;an electrode connected to the tube member, wherein the electrode includes a conductive polymer material;and a controller in electrical contact with the electrode allowing detection of a change in conductivity associated with the solution.
  6. 52
    A system for detecting dislodgment of an access device inserted into a patient during medical therapy, the system comprising:a blood circuit connecting the patient to an extracorporeal blood system wherein the blood circuit includes a blood tubing set having a first tube member connected to -a first access device and a second tube member connected to a second access device and wherein the first access device and the second access device are each insertable within the patient such that blood flows between the patient and the extracorporeal blood system via the blood circuit;a first electrode and a second electrode in fluid contact with the blood and spaced apart from the first access device and the second access device, respectively, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a conductive polymer material;and a controller in electrical contact with each of the first electrode and the second electrode capable of detecting a change in impedance in response to dislodgment of at least one of the first access device and the second access device.
  7. 59
    A system for monitoring delivery of a solution to a patient via an access device insertable within the patient during medical therapy, the system comprising:a tube member connecting the patient to a fluid system from which the solution flows into the patient via the access device;an electrode connected to the tube member, wherein the electrode includes a conductive polymer material;and a controller in electrical contact with the electrode allowing detection of a change in conductivity associated with the solution.
  8. 71
    A method of detecting dislodgment of an access device during dialysis, the method comprising:connecting a patient to a blood circuit having a pair of electrodes each coupled to a blood circuit in fluid contact with blood that flows through the blood circuit wherein at least one of the electrodes includes a conductive polymer material;passing an electrical signal through the blood via the pair of electrodes thereby defining a loop along which an impedance can be measured;and detecting a disconnection between the patient and the blood circuit in response to a change in the impedance.
  9. 76
    A method of monitoring delivery of a solution to a patient during medical therapy, the method comprising:connecting a patient to a tube member through which the solution can flow to the patient via an access device wherein the tube member has an electrode attached thereto, the electrode including a conductive polymer material;passing an electrical signal into the solution via the electrode thereby allowing a conductivity associated with the solution to be measured;and detecting a change in conductivity based on a change in pH of the solution.