Stereotaxic catheter for microwave thermotherapy

• US 4,681,122 A
• Filed: 09/23/1985
• Issued: 07/21/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Victory/YSI Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Victory Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Winters, Arthur, Molee, Casper S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Application Number:
  US06/779,285
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303 B, 128/303.1, 128/303.11, 128/303.12, 128/399, 128/401, 128/402, 128/736, 128/753, 128/754, 128/786, 128/804
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150992 Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings, valves tubing connectors and couplings A61M39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/10 for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/003 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves catheter tips A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/026 arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/22 the element being a non-linear resistance, e.g. thermistor G01K7/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A multi-lumen catheter that contains two or more independent coaxial sensing elements which can be used for measuring and recording temperature over a wide area at the insertion site. In addition, this catheter can be used for withdrawing blood at its distal port. When a microwave probe is inserted into the proximal lumen and positioned within the catheter, it allows for accurate placement of the microwave field within the area which is temperature monitored.

Claims

1. Apparatus for microwave thermotherapy comprising:

a catheter;

said catheter being insertable into living tissue;

at least first and second lumens extending along a substantial axial distance within said catheter;

said first and second lumens each including a proximal end and a distal end;

said distal end of each of said first and second lumens being sealed;

said proximal end of each of said first and second lumens including means for permitting the passage of electrical conductors therethrough;

a microwave antenna positionable within said first lumen, and effective, when said catheter is inserted into living tissue, and said microwave antenna is energized with microwave energy, for increasing a first temperature of a portion of said living tissue in a vicinity of said catheter; and

a temperature sensor positionable within said second lumen and effective for measuring a second temperature within said second lumen related to said first temperature, whereby said microwave energy may be controllable to maintain said first temperature within predetermined limits.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least a third lumen having a proximal end and a distal end; and

said proximal and distal ends both being open whereby materials may be transported into and out of said living tissue in a vicinity of said portion of said living tissue.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising;

at least one radiopaque marker at a predetermined location on said catheter; and

said predetermined location having a predetermined relationship to a location of said microwave antenna.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is a thermistor.

5. Apparatus for microwave thermotherapy comprising:

a catheter;

said catheter being insertable into living tissue;

at least first and second lumens extending along a substantial axial distance within said catheter;

said first and second lumens each including a proximal end and a distal end;

said distal end of each of said first and second lumens being sealed;

said proximal end of each of said first and second lumens including means for permitting the passage of electrical conductors therethrough;

a microwave antenna positionable within said first lumen, and effective, when said catheter is inserted into living tissue, and said microwave antenna is energized with microwave energy, for increasing a first temperature of a portion of said living tissue in a vicinity of said catheter;

a temperature sensor positionable within said second lumen and effective for measuring a second temperature within said second lumen related to said first temperature, whereby said microwave energy may be controllable to maintain said first temperature within predetermined limits;

at least a third lumen having a proximal end and a distal end;

said proximal and distal ends of said third lumen both being open whereby materials may be transported into and out of said living tissue in a vicinity of said portion of said living tissue;

at least one radiopaque marker at a predetermined location on said catheter; and

said predetermined location having a predetermined relationship to a location of said microwave antenna.