PRESSURE FEEDBACK UNIT FOR A CATHETER

• US 20090082755A1
• Filed: 11/27/2006
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cathrx Ltd
• Original Assignee: Cathrx Ltd
• Inventors: Milijasevic, Zoran, Anderson, Neil L.
• Application Number:
  US12/158,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20090082755A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00

Abstract

A pressure feedback unit (10) for a catheter includes a support (18) for supporting a proximal end of an electrode sheath of the catheter. The unit (10) further includes a connector (12) for connection to a component of the catheter, the connector (12) and the support (18) being displaceable relative to each other. An urging element (28) is interposed between the support (18) and the connector (12) for urging the support (18) and the connector (12) to a rest condition relative to each other.

Claims

1. A pressure feedback unit for a catheter, the unit comprising

a support for supporting a proximal end of an electrode sheath of the catheter;

a connector for connection to a component of the catheter, the connector and the support being displaceable relative to each other; and

an urging element interposed between the support and the connector for urging the support and the connector to a rest condition relative to each other.

2. The unit of claim 1 which includes a housing carrying the connector.

3. The unit of claim 2 in which the connector is supported at a proximal end of the housing and a distal end of the housing defines the support for the electrode sheath.

4. The unit of claim 3 in which the connector is displaceably arranged relative to the housing.

5. The unit of claim 2 in which the connector is fixed to a proximal end of the housing and the support comprises an attachment element displaceably arranged relative to the housing.

6. The unit of claim 1 in which the urging element is a coil spring.

7. The unit of claim 1 which includes a guide formation co-axially arranged with respect to the support and the connector, the guide formation defining a passage through which a steering device of the catheter passes, in use.

8. The unit of claim 1 in which the connector defines a receiving formation for receiving a part of the component.

9. The unit of claim 8 in which the connector includes an electrical connector for electrical connection between electrode conductors of the electrode sheath and electrical members associated with the component.

10. The unit of claim 1 which includes an indicator for indicating applied pressure.

11. The unit of claim 1 which includes a measuring device for measuring applied pressure, the measuring device being responsive to the urging element.

12. The unit of claim 11 which includes a discernible alarm connected to the measuring device.

13. A pressure feedback unit for a catheter, the unit comprising

a support for supporting a proximal end of an electrode sheath of the catheter;

a connector for connection to a component of the catheter; and

a pressure transducer interposed between the support and the connector, a force applied to the transducer by one of the connector and the support being monitored by the transducer to give an indication of pressure applied.