INTRAVASCULAR FILTER MONITORING
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for monitoring blood flow past an inflatable balloon, the apparatus comprising:
- an angioplasty catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
an angioplasty balloon coupled to the angioplasty catheter proximal of the distal end thereof;
a first sensor adapted to measure a blood flow characteristic coupled to the angioplasty catheter proximal to the angioplasty balloon; and
a second sensor adapted to measure a blood flow characteristic coupled to the angioplasty catheter distal to the angioplasty balloon.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for monitoring the flow of blood through an intravascular device are disclosed. An apparatus for monitoring blood flow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an intravascular device coupled to an elongated member, a first sensor adapted to measure fluidic pressure proximal the intravascular device, a second sensor adapted to measure fluidic pressure distal the intravascular device, and a control unit for comparing the signals received from the first and second sensors to determine the pressure drop across the intravascular device.
96 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring blood flow past an inflatable balloon, the apparatus comprising:
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an angioplasty catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
an angioplasty balloon coupled to the angioplasty catheter proximal of the distal end thereof;
a first sensor adapted to measure a blood flow characteristic coupled to the angioplasty catheter proximal to the angioplasty balloon; and
a second sensor adapted to measure a blood flow characteristic coupled to the angioplasty catheter distal to the angioplasty balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of monitoring blood flow past a lesion, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus comprising;
an angioplasty catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
an angioplasty balloon coupled to the angioplasty catheter proximal of the distal end thereof;
a first sensor adapted to measure a blood flow characteristic coupled to the angioplasty catheter proximal to the angioplasty balloon;
a second sensor adapted to measure a blood flow characteristic coupled to the angioplasty catheter distal to the angioplasty balloon; and
a control unit;
advancing the apparatus through a body lumen such that the angioplasty balloon is proximate a lesion;
inflating the angioplasty balloon to dislodge the lesion; and
monitoring a pressure drop across the angioplasty balloon. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification