In situ detection of endoleak and endotension

摘要

Endotension, the continued expansion and tensioning of a blood vessel at an aneurysm site after the repair of the aneurysm by placement of a stent graft therethrough, typically caused by refilling of the aneurysmal location by blood leakage thereto, is detected. The detection is accomplished by locating a detector in the aneurysmal vessel, between the blood vessel wall and the stent graft, and monitoring signals generating therefrom which are indicative of the arrival of fresh blood in the region, and thus a leakage of blood therein. The detector may be an oxygen sensor, and the monitoring can include maintaining a history of periodic blood oxygen signals indicative of the oxygen content of blood between the stent graft and the vessel wall, and the periodic analysis of these signals to determine whether the oxygen level is increasing, indicating the existence of endoleak and thus likely endotension.