Transparent Catheters for Endoscopic Localization

• US 20090143633A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cytye Corporation, Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mullins, Jeffrey C., Edmundson, Gregory K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0008 having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for the direct visualization and localization of a target area within a body lumen through the optically clear walls of a graduated catheter. An elongated catheter has proximal and distal ends, an anchor, graduated markings, and outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall. The anchor establishes a secure relationship between the catheter and an anatomical feature. The graduated markings are disposed along a length of the catheter. The outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter. The catheter wall is transparent along a length to provide visualization of the graduated markings via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen. In one embodiment, a catheter may have a substantially circular cross-section and include an arc-shaped transparent window.

Claims

1. An elongated catheter, comprising:

proximal and distal ends;

an anchor disposed on the distal end of the elongated catheter configured to establish a secure relationship between the elongated catheter and an anatomical feature;

graduated markings disposed along a length of the catheter; and

outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter, the catheter wall being transparent along a length of the elongated catheter to provide visualization of the graduated markings via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen.

2. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated catheter has a substantially circular cross-section and the catheter wall comprises an approximately 60°

arc-shaped transparent window.

3. The elongated catheter of claim 2, wherein a remaining 300°

arc-shaped section of the catheter wall is substantially opaque.

4. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter wall further comprises at least one secondary lumen disposed in the catheter wall and operably coupling the proximal and distal ends of the catheter.

5. The elongated catheter of claim 4, wherein at least one of the secondary lumens provides an inflation pathway to deploy the anchor.

6. The elongated catheter of claim 4, wherein at least one of the secondary lumens provides a drainage pathway to remove fluid from a body lumen.

7. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal end further comprises an opening for accessing the main lumen, the opening sized for receiving a visualization tool.

8. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises an inflatable chamber.

9. The elongated catheter of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening element.

10. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated catheter has a substantially circular cross-section and wherein the substantially circular catheter wall is substantially transparent.

11. The elongated catheter of claim 1, further comprising a source of therapeutic rays disposed within the main lumen of the elongated catheter.

12. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the visualization tool comprises a surgical scope having an illumination source configured to illuminate and visualize the interior of the body lumen.

13. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the graduated markings comprise at least one of:

numbers, letters, symbols, or color-coding.

14. A graduated catheter, comprising:

outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter;

wherein the catheter wall has a substantially circular cross-section including an approximately 60°

arc-shaped transparent window for viewing graduated markings on the catheter relative to the body lumen via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen.

15. The graduated catheter of claim 14, wherein a remaining portion of the substantially circular cross-section of the catheter wall is non-transparent.

16. A method for directly identifying an anatomical feature in a body lumen, the method comprising:

inserting a graduated catheter into a body lumens the graduated catheter comprising outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting the body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter, the catheter wall being transparent along a length to provide direct visualization of the body lumen via the main lumen;

inserting a visualization tool into the main lumen of the graduated catheter to directly view an anatomical feature in the body lumen;

viewing the anatomical feature through the transparent catheter wall using the visualization tool; and

identifying the location of the anatomical feature in the body lumen relative to graduated markings on the graduated catheter.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising converting the location of the anatomical feature into a measurement applicable for insertion of a radiation source for brachytherapy treatment.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising treating the anatomical feature in the body lumen by inserting a radiation source via the main lumen to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising irrigating the outer surface of the catheter to clear fluids to enhance visability of the body lumen and graduated markings using the visualization tool.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising deploying an anchor coupled to a distal end of the graduated catheter to seat the graduated catheter securely against an anatomical feature.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the anatomical feature is a urethral stricture.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the visualization tool is an endoscope.

23. The method of claim 16, further comprising illuminating the main lumen to enhance visualization of the anatomical feature in the body lumen and the graduated markings.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein inserting further comprises inserting in a predetermined orientation to optimize rotational orientation of the catheter in the body lumen.