Method and assembly for introducing multiple devices into a biological vessel
First Claim
1. A pressure sensor adapted for engaging an elongated element such as a guidewire or the like, comprising:
- a distal and a proximal body, the distal body having means for engagingthe element;
a pressure transducer coupled to at least one of the bodies;
an elongated catheter coupled to the proximal body; and
an elongated tether connecting the bodies adapted for allowing longitudinal spacing of the bodies along the element with the tether generally parallel and disposed along the element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and assembly for inserting a plurality of sensors into a biological fluid vessel for diagnosing the condition of the vessel or fluid. A pressure sensor is described which is particularly adapted for use with a steerable guidewire for selective positioning in the vessel. In one application, the method is used in coronary diagnosis, to determine the pressure gradient across a coronary valve or stenosis in the coronary arterial tree. In this method, a guiding catheter is percutaneously inserted with its distal end proximate the ostium. A guidewire is inserted through the guiding catheter and subselectively positioned in a region of interest in the coronary arterial tree. Multiple pressure sensors are then threaded down the guidewire and positioned in the region of interest. Advantageously, such pressure sensors are approximately 3 French in diameter, allowing multiple sensors to be threaded through the guiding catheter and positioned in the small arteries of the coronary arterial tree. Such pressure sensors can be used in conjunction with other sensors (e.g. temperature, pH, or Doppler sensors) and are useful in a variety of applications (e.g. venous, urinary tract, esophogeal). In one version of the assembly, an angioplasty catheter is fitted to the guidewire and a pressure sensor device having a small flexible catheter body is fitted to the guidewire such that inserting the angioplasty catheter into a blood vessel also pushes the pressure sensor device into the vessel.
284 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A pressure sensor adapted for engaging an elongated element such as a guidewire or the like, comprising:
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a distal and a proximal body, the distal body having means for engaging the element; a pressure transducer coupled to at least one of the bodies; an elongated catheter coupled to the proximal body; and an elongated tether connecting the bodies adapted for allowing longitudinal spacing of the bodies along the element with the tether generally parallel and disposed along the element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17)
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6. An assembly for engaging an elongated, flexible, steerable guidewire insertable in a biological fluid-carrying vessel and having a distal end positionable in a region of the vessel, the assembly comprising:
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a first device adapted for engaging the guidewire and positionable in the region, the device including an elongated member, coupling structure connected to the member defining a passage longitudinally oriented with the member for slidably receiving the guidewire, an elongated catheter coupled to the member in longitudinal alignment therewith; a second device adapted for engaging the guidewire and positionable in the region, the second device including distal and proximal bodies adapted for positioning along the guidewire in longitudinally-spaced relation distal and proximal to said member respectively, engagement structure connected to the distal body for slidably receiving the guidewire and adapted to contact the distal end of said member, an elongated catheter coupled to the proximal body, tether means operably connecting the distal and proximal bodies, the first and second devices being adapted for reception on the guidewire in the region of the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 15)
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18. A method of placing one or more devices in a region of a biological fluid-carrying vessel, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an elongated, flexible guidewire into the vessel with a portion of the guidewire extending into the region; providing a first device having an elongated catheter, a member connected to a distal end of the catheter, and a coupling structure adapted for engaging the guidewire; connecting to the guidewire a second device having distal and proximal bodies, an elongated catheter connected to the proximal body, an engagement structure connected to the distal body and adapted for engaging the guidewire and for contacting the member of the first device, and a tether interconnecting the bodies; connecting to the guidewire the first device so that the distal and proximal bodies are spaced distal and proximal to the member respectively; inserting the first and second devices into the vessel region with the coupling structure and engagement structure slidably engaging the guidewire and the catheters generally longitudinally aligned and juxtaposed relative to the guidewire, including the substep of, advancing one of the catheters to insert the one device into the vessel where one of the bodies contacts the member to simultaneously insert the other device into the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An assembly for engaging an elongated, flexible, steerable guidewire insertable in a biological fluid-carrying vessel and having a distal end positionable in a region of the vessel, the assembly comprising:
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a first device adapted for engaging the guidewire and positionable in the region, the device including an elongated member, coupling structure connected to the member defining a passage longitudinally oriented with the member for slidably receiving the guidewire, an elongated catheter coupled to the member in longitudinal alignment therewith; a second device having a distal body adapted for engaging the guidewire distal to the first device and positionable in the region, the second device including engagement means connected to the distal body for slidably receiving the guidewire and adapted to contact the distal end of said member of the first device, and an elongated catheter coupled to the body; the catheter of the first device being relatively axially rigid and the catheter of the second device being relatively flexible;
such that when the devices are coupled to the guidewire, advancement of the first catheter places the member in contact with the distal body advancing the second device along the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method of placing one or more devices in a region of a biological fluid-carrying vessel, comprising the steps of:
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inserting an elongated, flexible guidewire into the vessel with the distal end of the guidewire extending into the region; connecting to the guidewire a first device having an elongated catheter, a member connected to one end of the catheter, and a coupling structure adapted for engaging the guidewire; connecting to the guidewire a second device having an elongated body, an elongated, relatively flexible catheter connected to the body, and an engagement structure connected to the body for engaging the guidewire and for contacting the member of the first device; inserting the first and second devices into the vessel region with the coupling structure and engagement structure slidably engaging the guidewire and the catheters generally longitudinally aligned and juxtaposed relative to the guidewire, including the substep of, advancing the first device to place the member into contact with the engagement structure to simultaneously insert the first and second devices.
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Specification