Catheter for endocardial biopsy, which can also be used for identifying the point of origin of ventricular arrhythmia
First Claim
1. A catheter for cardial biopsy, including distal and proximal end portions, biopsy forceps provided at the distal end and including two jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, and means which are operable from the proximal end of the catheter for moving the jaws, wherein at least two electrodes are provided in correspondence with the distal portion, said electrodes being constituted by the two jaws of the forceps, with said jaws being made from electrically conductive material and being electrically insulated from each other in their open position, wherein two terminals are situated at the proximal end of the catheter and are connected electrically to the electrodes so that the catheter can be used for identifying the point of origin of a ventricular arrhythmia, wherein the distal end of the catheter has a supporting body which incorporates one jaw of the forceps, and wherein the catheter also includes a lever which forms the other jaw and a pin of insulating material by means of which the lever is articulated to the supporting body, and wherein the catheter includes a helical metal spiral which runs along the whole length of the catheter, one end of the spiral being connected to the supporting body and an opposite end of the spiral being connected to one of the terminals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter for endocardial biopsy comprises a distal portion provided with biopsy forceps including two jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, and means which are operable from the proximal end of the catheter for causing the movement of the jaws. The two jaws of the forceps are of electrically conductive material, are insulated from each other, and are connected respectively to two terminals situated at the proximal end of the catheter so that, when the jaws are in their open position, they can be used as electrodes for identifying the point of origin of a ventricular arrhythmia. It is thus possible to carry out an endocardial biopsy in apparently normal patients with ventricular arrhythmia, tissue samples being taken both in correspondence with the zone of origin of the arrhythmia and in correspondence with other zones, immediately after the identification of the zone of origin. In a variant, one of the two electrodes is constituted by the two jaws and the other by a ring carried by the body of the catheter and arranged coaxially with the catheter.
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Citations
4 Claims
- 1. A catheter for cardial biopsy, including distal and proximal end portions, biopsy forceps provided at the distal end and including two jaws which are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, and means which are operable from the proximal end of the catheter for moving the jaws, wherein at least two electrodes are provided in correspondence with the distal portion, said electrodes being constituted by the two jaws of the forceps, with said jaws being made from electrically conductive material and being electrically insulated from each other in their open position, wherein two terminals are situated at the proximal end of the catheter and are connected electrically to the electrodes so that the catheter can be used for identifying the point of origin of a ventricular arrhythmia, wherein the distal end of the catheter has a supporting body which incorporates one jaw of the forceps, and wherein the catheter also includes a lever which forms the other jaw and a pin of insulating material by means of which the lever is articulated to the supporting body, and wherein the catheter includes a helical metal spiral which runs along the whole length of the catheter, one end of the spiral being connected to the supporting body and an opposite end of the spiral being connected to one of the terminals.
Specification