Inventors:
James Petisce - San Clemente CA, US
Emily Jackson - Mission Viejo CA, US
Gregory J. Carlin - Atlanta GA, US
Assignee:
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation - Irvine CA
International Classification:
A61B 5/145
Abstract:
A system is provided for sensing a blood parameter, such as an analyte, in a patient's vasculature. The system includes a vascular access device, a parameter sensor, a pressure sensor and a flow control device. The vascular access device supports the parameter sensor within the vasculature of the patient and includes an internal passageway for drawing samples onto and calibrating the parameter sensor. The pressure sensor is within the internal passageway. The flow control device modulates sample draw, calibration and flushing fluid flows to prevent or remove clots based on communication with the pressure sensor. Advantageously, the dynamic, adaptive modulation of flow reduces flushing and other cycle times while at the same time improving clot flushing. As another advantage, this enables reduction or elimination of the use of heparin and other anticoagulant components in the solution supplied for flushing and/or calibration.