Pressure sensor for therapeutic delivery device and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for treating a region of patient tissue, wherein the tissue has a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- an accessing tool for accessing the region, the accessing tool having a distal end and a proximal end and being manipulable from the proximal end to place the distal end in contact with the region;
a shaft disposed proximate the distal end of the accessing tool;
a cap member coupled to the shaft and disposed at the distal end of the accessing tool;
a support member having an opening therein for receiving the shaft therethrough, the shaft extending through the opening, and the support member being capable of being positioned near or in contact with a proximal-facing side of the cap member; and
one or more pressure transducer elements coupled to the support member or to the cap member at one or more locations surrounding the shaft;
wherein, during operation of the accessing tool, at least one of the one or more pressure transducer elements, in response to a force applied to the cap member by the region, generates one or more information signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.
91 Citations
3 Claims
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1. An apparatus for treating a region of patient tissue, wherein the tissue has a surface, the apparatus comprising:
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an accessing tool for accessing the region, the accessing tool having a distal end and a proximal end and being manipulable from the proximal end to place the distal end in contact with the region;
a shaft disposed proximate the distal end of the accessing tool;
a cap member coupled to the shaft and disposed at the distal end of the accessing tool;
a support member having an opening therein for receiving the shaft therethrough, the shaft extending through the opening, and the support member being capable of being positioned near or in contact with a proximal-facing side of the cap member; and
one or more pressure transducer elements coupled to the support member or to the cap member at one or more locations surrounding the shaft;
wherein, during operation of the accessing tool, at least one of the one or more pressure transducer elements, in response to a force applied to the cap member by the region, generates one or more information signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification