Electrode catheter testing device

• US 4,857,857 A
• Filed: 11/23/1988
• Issued: 08/15/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (State University of New York)
• Original Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (State University of New York)
• Inventors: Perez, Antonio, Valenti, Andrew, Ben-Zvi, Seymour
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Regan, Maura K.
• Application Number:
  US07/275,277
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 324/555, 324/65 R, 324/537, 324/65 P
• US Class Current: 324/555
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity

Abstract

An electrode catheter testing device is shown which provides a practical means for determining, immediately prior to use, whether an electrode catheter is functioning properly. The device includes a pair of telescoping tube members axially displaced by means of a spring and enclosing a braided wire cylinder which defines a core for receiving the electrode end of an electrode catheter. When the spring is manually compressed, the braided wire cylinder'"'"'s diameter is increased to permit insertion of the catheter. When the spring is released, the braided wire cylinder is elongated and its diameter is contracted such that the cylinder contacts the electrode rings shorting them together. Continuity to each electrode ring may then be measured electrically using a suitable instrument such as a ohmmeter.

Claims

1. A testing apparatus for testing an electrode catheter having a plurality of electrodes at one end thereof comprising an electrically conductive member configured to expand and contract radially;

means for radially expanding said member to receive said electrodes and for thereafter causing said member to contract radially to electrically short said electrodes whereby the electrical continuity of the electrode circuits may be checked.

2. A device for testing electrode catheters having a plurality of electrode rings at one end thereof;

said device comprising;

(a) telescoping upper and lower tubular members enclosing a central braided wire cylinder having a core for receiving said electrode end of said catheter;

said braided wire cylinder having a lower end that is functionally attached to said lower tubular member and an upper end functionally attached to said upper tubular member;

said lower tubular member having a recessed upper portion slidably mounted within the upper tubular member;

(b) a spring mounted coaxially on said recessed portion of the lower tubular member separating the upper and lower tubular members whereby depressing the upper tubular member compresses the spring and causes the braided wire cylinder to expand for insertion of said catheter and for thereafter causing said braided wire cylinder to contract radially upon release of the spring and contact the electrode rings to electrically short said electrodes for testing the continuity of the electrical circuit of the electrode catheter.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said braided wire cylinder is composed of stainless steel.