US 12,213,846 B2
Apparatus and method to inspect microlumen of catheter
Jason Hill, Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Assigned to Sterilmed, Inc., Plymouth, MN (US)
Filed by SterilMed, Inc., Plymouth, MN (US)
Filed on Aug. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/406,141.
Prior Publication US 2023/0056243 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 90/70 (2016.01); B08B 9/04 (2006.01); G01N 7/00 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 90/70 (2016.02) [B08B 9/04 (2013.01); G01N 7/00 (2013.01); A61B 2090/701 (2016.02); A61B 2090/702 (2016.02); A61M 2025/0019 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0266 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3317 (2013.01); B08B 2209/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
(a) inserting an elongate member of a lumen inspection device in a lumen of a medical instrument;
(b) translating the lumen inspection device along the lumen of the medical instrument, the lumen inspection device including a sealing member, the sealing member resiliently biasing against a sidewall of the lumen as the lumen inspection device is translated along the lumen of the medical instrument, the resilient biasing of the sealing member resulting in a resilient force being applied to the sidewall of the lumen;
(c) activating a pressure source to pressurize a region of the lumen adjacent to the sealing member; and
(d) monitoring a fluid flow rate or a fluid pressure of the pressurized region of the lumen while translating the lumen inspection device and activating the pressure source, to thereby detect whether the sealing member deforms in response to an obstruction in the lumen.