Method of using a doppler catheter

• US 4,957,111 A
• Filed: 09/23/1988
• Issued: 09/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric SE
• Original Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc. (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Millar, Huntly D.
• Primary Examiner(s): JAWORSKI, FRANCIS J
• Application Number:
  US07/248,777
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 128/660.03, 128/662.03, 128/662.04, 128/662.06
• US Class Current: 600/468
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

A steerable catheter having a Doppler crystal at the tip to measure the velocity of blood in vivo--and inferentially the blood flow. The catheter includes two passageways, one passageway being exposed to the blood stream with the other passageway containing the electrical leads to the Doppler crystal. The one passageway is dimensioned for receiving a wire guide for accurately manipulating the catheter. Preferably, the catheter incorporates an inflatable angio-balloon operable to distend the blood vessel in the region of a stenosis. Thus, blood flow can be determined in the region of the stenosis before and/or after the vessel is distended. The passageways are preferably defined by a pair of generally concentric tubes with the Doppler crystal doughnut-shaped and sealingly disposed at the tip of the catheter.

Claims

1. A method of treating stenosis in the arterial tree comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter having a Doppler crystal attached at the distal tip thereof and axially oriented therewith, an angio-balloon proximate to the distal end, and a passageway disposed for operable contact with the blood stream;

placing a wire guide in the passageway;

inserting the catheter into the arterial tree;

manipulating the wire guide to position the catheter in the region of the stenosis;

expanding the angio-balloon in the region of the stenosis; and

operating the Doppler crystal to measure the velocity of the blood in the region of the stenosis.

2. A method of treating stenosis in accordance with claim 1, wherein velocity measurements are taken before and after the angio-balloon is expanded.

3. A method of treating stenosis in accordance with claim 1, including the steps of:

providing said catheter with said passageway extending substantially along the entire length of the catheter;

withdrawing the wire guide from said passageway;

injecting angio-dye through said passageway into the arterial tree.

4. A method of treating stenosis in accordance with claim 1, the expanding step including:

occluding the blood vessel to induce a hyperemic response.

5. A method of treating stenosis in accordance with claim 1, the expanding step including:

dilating the blood vessel to decrease the effects of the stenosis.