Intraesophageal catheter with pH sensor

• US 4,981,470 A
• Filed: 06/21/1989
• Issued: 01/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Synectics Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Bombeck, C. Thomas IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cermak, Adam J.
• Application Number:
  US07/371,983
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96-98, 604/100, 128/344, 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/636, 128/672, 128/716, 128/759, 128/771, 128/780, 128/635, 128/642, 128/632
• US Class Current: 600/350
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/037 Measuring oesophageal pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon

Abstract

An intraesophageal catheter comprising a tubular body, a pH sensor extending through the interior of the tubular body for pH measurement, and a balloon inflation pressure sensor communicating with the interior of the tubular body. The tubular body is comprised of clear polyvinyl chloride material and has a radiopaque stripe extending longitudinally along the tubular body. A plurality of circumferential gradations are marked on the tubular body. The pH sensor has a head portion fastened to the end of the tubular body and a conductor connected to and extending from the head portion to the other end of the tubular body. The head portion is comprised of a polycarbonate material having a smooth surface. The balloon inflation pressure sensor is a balloon that is positioned on the tubular body part from the head portion of the pH sensor. A balloon inflation channel extends through the interior of the tubular body and communicates with the balloon molded to the exterior surface of the tubular body.

Claims

1. An intraesophageal catheter comprising:

a tubular body with an open and closed end;

a pH sensor means extending through the interior of said tubular body for pH measurements;

a balloon molded to the exterior surface of said exterior body, said balloon comprised of latex material, said balloon having a length of approximately four centimeters and an inflated outer diameter of approximately 8.4 millimeters;

and a balloon inflation channel extending through the interior of said tubular body such that said balloon inflation channel pneumatically communicates with the interior of said balloon through a plurality of ports extending through said tubular body.

2. The catheter of claim 1, said balloon inflation channel being TEFLON lined, said balloon inflation channel having a female lure lock at the open end of said tubular body.

3. A method of measuring intraesophageal pH and air pressure comprising the steps of:

inserting an intraesophageal catheter into the nose of a person, said intraesophageal catheter having a pH measurement head at the inserted end and a balloon inflation pressure sensor longitudinally displaced from said pH measurement head on said catheter;

moving said intraesophageal catheter into the esophagus proximal to the stomach of said person;

connecting said pH measurement head to an electric pH recorder exterior of said patient;

inflating said balloon inflation pressure sensor such that said balloon inflation pressure sensor expands and contracts with the respiratory effort of said person;

connecting said balloon inflation pressure sensor into a pneumatic pressure recorder exterior of said person; and

monitoring the pH and pressure measurements simultaneously during the sleep cycle of said person.