Method of mounting an electrical lead in a catheter body

• US 4,407,304 A
• Filed: 09/11/1981
• Issued: 10/04/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Cooper, Robert P., Lieber, Clement E., Estes, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/301,146
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93, 604/1 R, 604/96, 604/282, 128/419 P, 128/675, 128/786, 128/692, 29/729, 29/745, 174/47, 174/23 R, 174/25 P, 174/72 R, 174/95, 174/76, 174/97
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/004 characterized by lumina being arranged circumferentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

Abstract

A method of forming a catheter having at least two separate lumens, one containing a gas required in connection with the operation of a pressure responsive element adjacent the catheter'"'"'s distal end and the other for conveying liquid to and from a port spaced proximally from the pressure responsive element. The two lumens are separated by a longitudinal septum and combine to perform a third function--that of enclosing an electrical conductor which extends through that portion of the gas-containing lumen proximal to the port and through that portion of the liquid-conveying lumen beyond the port. The conductor switches from one lumen to the other through a sealed aperture in the septum. A piercing tool is inserted through the port at an angle to form the aperture distally of the port. The wire is threaded through one duct, through the aperture and through the second duct. Finally a sealable liquid sealing plug is inserted into the area distally of the port for sealing purposes.

Claims

1. A method of mounting an electrical lead in a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a plurality of parallel lumens therein, a first one of said lumens being adapted for containing a gas and separated by a longitudinal septum from a second lumen adapted for conducting a liquid;

comprising the steps of forming a lateral port in the outer wall of said body at a point intermediate the length thereof, said port communicating only with said second lumen and constituting an opening for the inflow and outflow of a liquid with respect thereto;

introducing a tool through said port to form an aperture in said septum, said aperture placing said first and second lumens in communication with each other;

then positioning at least one electrical lead in said lumens so that a proximal portion of said lead is disposed in said first lumen on the proximal side of said aperture, a distal portion of said lead is disposed in said second lumen on the distal side of said aperture, and an intermediate portion of said lead extends through said aperture from one lumen to the other; and

thereafter closing and sealing said aperture and said second lumen distal to said port by means of a sealant plug introduced through said port into said second lumen, whereby, liquid may thereafter flow through said second lumen between said port and the proximal end of said body without contacting said lead.

2. The method of claim 2 in which said aperture is formed in said septum just distal to said port.

3. The method of claim 2 in which said sealant plug is formed of a flowable material capable of changing into a hardened state and is introduced into said second lumen in flowable form, said sealant plug material also embedding a portion of said lead within said second lumen just distal to said port.

4. A method of mounting an electrical lead in a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a plurality of parallel lumens therein, a first one of said lumens being adapted for containing a gas and separated by a longitudinal septum from a second lumen adapted for conducting a liquid;

comprising the steps of forming a lateral opening in the outer wall of said body communicating only with said second lumen;

introducing a tool through said opening to form an aperture in said septum, said aperture placing said first and second lumens in communication with each other;

then positioning at least one electrical lead in said lumens so that a proximal portion of said lead is disposed in said first lumen on the proximal side of said aperture, a distal portion of said lead is disposed in said second lumen, and an intermediate portion of said lead extends through said aperture from one lumen to the other; and

thereafter closing and sealing said aperture and isolating said opening from a portion of said second lumen by means of a sealant plug introduced through said opening into said second lumen.

5. The method of claim 4 in which said sealant plug is formed of a flowable material capable of changing into a hardened state and is introduced into said second lumen in flowable form, said sealant plug material also embedding a portion of said lead within said second lumen and within said aperture.