FIBER OPTICS PRESSURE CATHETER

WE WILL DEVELOP A FIBER OPTICS PRESSURE CATHETER FOR NHLBI SUBJECT 56.D. THE OPTICAL PRESSURE SENSOR USING SPECIAL OPTICAL MATERIAL IS MUCH SMALLER IN DIAMETER (LESS INVASIVE) THAN THE CURRENTLY USED ELECTRONIC PRESSURE CATHETER. IT IS INSERTED INTO BLOOD VESSELS (ARTERIES, VEINS OR HEART CHAMBER) AND CAPABLE OF MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURES (O TO 300 MMHG) WITH A VERY HIGH ACCURACY (BETTER THAN 3 MMHG). THE SENSOR IS BIO-COMPATIBLE AND CAUSES NO MEDICAL PROBLEMS. THE SENSOR IS ALSO STABLE OVER LONG TIME PERIODS (72 HRS) AND FOR TEMPERATURE CHANGES (30OC TO 50OC). THE MANUFACTURING COST OF THE SENSOR HEAD WOULD BE VERY INEXPENSIVE (LESS THAN $100) SO THAT THE HEAD CAN BE DISPOSABLE. THE SENSOR WILL HELP MONITOR HEART CONDITIONS AFTER OPEN HEART SURGERY. BECAUSE OF ITS SMALL SIZE IT CAN BE USED FOR THE YOUNG. THE PRIMARY COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF THIS DEVICE WILL BE IN CARDIOLOGY. IT CAN ALSO BE USED TO MONITOR FLUID PRESSURES IN THE HUMAN BRAIN AFTER SURGERY. THE PHASE I EFFORT WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF THE APPROACH WHILE FULL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED FOR PHASE II.