Method for measuring pressure within a patient's coronary artery

• US 5,050,606 A
• Filed: 05/25/1990
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Tremulis, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAY, RANDY CITRIN
• Application Number:
  US07/528,860
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 128/637, 128/672-675, 128/748, 128/772
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00783 Valvuloplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22001 Angioplasty, e.g. PCTA
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6851 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09066 having a coil without a core possibly combined with a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A guiding member for use as an independent guidewire or as an integral part of a low-profile steerable dilatation catheter. The guiding member has an elongated main hollow tubular member, a tubular extension preferably made of polyimide secured to the distal end of the tubular member, a core member which is secured by the proximal end thereof within the inner lumen of the main tubular member and which extends through and out the distal end of the tubular extension and a flexible body, such as a helical coil, disposed about and secured to the distal portion of the core member which extends out the distal end of the tubular extension. The transverse cross-sectional area of the core member disposed within the inner lumen of the main tubular member should be at least 10%, preferably at least 25% less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the inner lumen of the main tubular member. The distal tip of the main tubular member is at least 15 cm, preferably between 25 and 60 cm proximal to the distal end of the coil to ensure that the transition region where the core member and the tubular extension join the main tubular member remains within the guiding catheter during vascular procedures therewith. When employed as part of a steerable catheter, the inflatable balloon is secured by the proximal end thereof to the distal end of the tubular extension and by the distal end of the core member which extends therethrough.

Claims

1. A method for measuring pressure within a patient'"'"'s coronary arteries, comprising:

a) introducing a guiding catheter with a preformed distal tip into a patient'"'"'s cardiovascular system and advancing the guiding catheter therein until the distal tip thereof is disposed within the ostium of one of the patient'"'"'s coronary arteries;

b) providing a guiding member having

an elongated main tubular member with an inner lumen which extends therethrough to ar opening at the distal end thereof;

a tubular extension secured by the proximal end thereof to the distal end of the main tubular member and having a wall defining an inner lumen with at least one pressure monitoring port therein which connects in fluid communication the inner lumen of the main tubular member with the ambient through the inner lumen of the tubular extension;

a core member which is secured by the proximal end thereof within the inner lumen of the main tubular member and which extends through and out the distal end of the tubular extension, the transverse cross-sectional area of the core member disposed within the inner lumen of the main tubular member being substantially less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the inner lumen thereof;

a flexible body disposed about and secured to the portion of the core member extending out the distal end of the tubular extension;

c) advancing the guiding member through the guiding catheter until the portion of the tubular extension which has the at least one pressure monitoring port is disposed within a desired location;

d) filling the guiding member with fluid; and

e) monitoring the pressure of said fluid from the proximal end of the tubular member.