Catheter with physiological sensor

• US 20030195428A1
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Data Sciences U K Limited (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Data Sciences U K Limited (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Brockway, Brian P., Zwiers, Lynn M., Drexler, Mark J., Mills, Perry A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter is capable of being inserted into a vessel lumen or inserted into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications. This provides the ability to directly measure the pressure effects of the treatment catheter. In another embodiment, the distal end of the pressure transmission catheter may be electrically conductive so as to detect and transmit an electric signal. Thus, in this embodiment, the catheter can be used to detect a physiological signal.

Claims

1. A pressure sensing device, comprising:

a pressure transducer;

a hollow tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the pressure transducer coupled to the proximal end;

a membrane located at the distal end; and

at least one liquid which fills the lumen and is in communication with the pressure transducer and the membrane.

2. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow tube comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyimide, impregnated plastic, polytetra fluorethylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene.

3. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow tube comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of 316 stainless steel, Nitinol, titanium, MP35N, and MP52.

4. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the distal end further comprises a thin-wall portion.

5. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, fluorinated hydrocarbon, silicone oils, alcohols, and propylene glycol dispersed in water.

6. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is comprised of a compliant material.

7. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the hollow tube is electrically conductive.

8. The pressure sensing device according to claim 7, wherein the hollow tube is substantially covered with an insulating material.

9. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the distal end includes an electrically conductive portion which acts as an electrode for detecting an electric signal.

10. The pressure sensing device according to claim 9, and further including a conductor that is coupled to the electrically conductive portion and disposed along the length of the hollow tube.

11. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the distal end further comprises a plurality of holes.

12. The pressure sensing device according claim 11, wherein the membrane is disposed over the plurality of holes.

13. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein at least two liquids are disposed within the hollow tube to provide a pressure communication link between the membrane and the pressure transducer.

14. The pressure sensing device according to claim 13, wherein the at least two liquids comprise:

a first liquid in communication with the pressure transducer; and

a second liquid which substantially fills the lumen and is in communication with the membrane and the first liquid, and wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are not soluble with each other.

15. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow tube is adapted for implantation.

16. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure transducer is mounted within an implantable housing.

17. The pressure sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure transducer is coupled to an electrical lead.

18. The pressure sensing device according to claim 17, wherein the electrical lead provides input power.

19. The pressure sensing device according to claim 17, wherein the electrical lead delivers output signals to a control system.

20. The pressure sensing device according to claim 17, wherein the electrical lead delivers output signals to a therapeutic system.

21. A pressure sensing device, comprising:

a pressure transducer;

a hollow tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the pressure transducer coupled to the proximal end;

a flexible tip located at the distal end of the hollow tube;

a membrane disposed over the distal end; and

at least one liquid which fills the lumen and is in communication with the pressure transducer and the membrane.

22. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the hollow tube comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyimide, impregnated plastic, polytetra fluorethylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene.

23. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the hollow tube comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of 316 stainless steel, Nitinol, titanium, MP35N, and MP52.

24. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the distal end further comprises a thin-wall portion.

25. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the at least one liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, fluorinated hydrocarbon, silicone oils, alcohols, and propylene glycol dispersed in water.

26. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the hollow tube is electrically conductive.

27. The pressure sensing device according to claim 26, wherein the hollow tube is substantially covered with an insulating material.

28. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the distal end includes an electrically conductive portion which acts as an electrode for detecting an electric signal.

29. The pressure sensing device according to claim 28, and further including a conductor that is coupled to the electrically conductive portion and disposed along the length of the hollow tube.

30. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the distal end further comprises a plurality of holes.

31. The pressure sensing device according to claim 30, wherein the membrane is disposed over the plurality holes.

32. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the flexible tip comprises:

a coil having a first end and a second end; and

a rounded head,

wherein the rounded head is coupled to the first end of the coil, and the second end of the coil is coupled to the distal end of the hollow tube.

33. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the flexible tip comprises:

a coil having a first end and a second end;

a rounded head;

a cone-shaped insert having a plurality of holes; and

wherein the rounded head is attached to the first end of the coil, and the second end of the coil is attached to the cone-shaped insert and wherein the cone-shaped insert is inserted into the distal end of the hollow tube.

34. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the membrane is comprised of a compliant material.

35. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein at least two liquids are disposed within the hollow tube to provide a pressure communication link between the membrane and the pressure transducer.

36. The pressure sensing device according to claim 35, wherein the at least two liquids comprise:

a first liquid in communication with the pressure transducer; and

a second liquid which substantially fills the lumen and is in communication with the membrane and the first liquid, and wherein the first liquid and the second liquid are not soluble with each other.

37. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the hollow tube is adapted for implantation.

38. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the pressure transducer is mounted within an implantable housing.

39. The pressure sensing device according to claim 21, wherein the pressure transducer is coupled to an electrical lead.

40. The pressure sensing device according to claim 39, wherein the electrical lead provides input power.

41. The pressure sensing device according to claim 39, wherein the electrical lead delivers output signals to a control system.

42. The pressure sensing device according to claim 39, wherein the electrical lead delivers output signals to a therapeutic system.

43. A pressure sensing device, comprising:

a pressure transducer;

a hollow tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the pressure transducer coupled to the proximal end;

a membrane disposed over the distal end of the hollow tube; and

at least one liquid disposed within the hollow tube to provide a pressure communication link between the membrane and the pressure transducer;

wherein the pressure transducer and the hollow tube are configured for implantation.

44. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the hollow tube comprises a biocompatible material.

45. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the hollow tube comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of 316 stainless steel, Nitinol, titanium, MP35N, and MP52.

46. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the distal end further comprises a thin-wall portion.

47. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein at least two liquids are disposed within the hollow tube to provide a pressure communication link between the membrane and the pressure transducer.

48. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the membrane is comprised of a compliant material.

49. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein at least a portion of the hollow tube is electrically conductive.

50. The pressure sensing device according to claim 49, wherein the hollow tube is substantially covered with an insulating material.

51. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the distal end includes an electrically conductive portion which acts as an electrode for detecting an electric signal.

52. The pressure sensing device according to claim 51, further including a conductor that is coupled to the electrically conductive portion and disposed along the length of the hollow tube.

53. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of ribs.

54. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the distal end further comprises a plurality of holes.

55. The pressure sensing device according to claim 54, wherein the membrane is disposed over the plurality of holes.

56. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, further comprising a flexible tip comprising:

a coil having a first end and a second end;

a rounded head; and

wherein the rounded head is coupled to the first end of the coil, and the second end of the coil is coupled to the distal end of the hollow tube.

57. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, further comprising a flexible tip comprising:

a coil having a first end and a second end;

a rounded head;

a cone-shaped insert having a plurality of holes; and

wherein the rounded head is attached to the first end of the coil, and the second end of the coil is attached to the cone-shaped insert and wherein the cone-shaped insert is inserted into the distal end of the hollow tube.

58. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the pressure transducer is mounted within an implantable housing.

59. The pressure sensing device according to claim 43, wherein the pressure transducer is coupled to an electrical lead.

60. The pressure sensing device according to claim 59, wherein the electrical lead provides input power.

61. The pressure sensing device according to claim 59, wherein the electrical lead delivers output signals to a control system.

62. The pressure sensing device according to claim 59, wherein the electrical lead delivers output signals to a therapeutic system.