Self-guiding, multifunctional visceral catheter
First Claim
1. A visceral catheter, comprising:
- a main catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end;
means for guiding said catheter to an operable position in which a portion of said main body is disposed within a predetermined visceral venous system, said guiding means comprising;
first sensor means for detecting values of a predetermined analyte in a vessel disposed outside said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter and for outputting signals related thereto, said first sensor means being disposed on a first portion of said main catheter body which remains in said vessel outside said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter;
second sensor means for detecting values of said predetermined analyte within said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter and for outputting signals related thereto, said second sensor means being disposed on a second portion of said main catheter body which is positioned within said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter;
said main catheter body comprising a main axial portion extending from said proximal end and an angled distal end portion extending from said main axial portion, said second portion of said catheter body being disposed on said angled distal end portion of said catheter body;
said predetermined analyte having a specific relationship to an organ associated with said predetermined visceral venous system such that values of said analyte within said visceral venous system are substantially different from systemic values of said analyte outside said visceral venous system; and
said first and second sensor means being selectively connected to detector means for comparing said signals from said first and second sensor means and for alerting a user to a substantial difference between said signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunctional visceral catheter having a self-guiding system in the form of a pair of electrochemical sensors which are sensitive to a predetermined analyte, the analyte being one which is removed from the vascular circuit of interest to a high degree, such as galactose in the hepatic venous system or creatinine in the renal venous system. One of the sensors is disposed on the catheter so as to be positioned within the venous system of interest, while the other sensor remains outside the venous system in the inferior vena cava. A substantial difference between analyte concentration values as measured via the two sensors provides immediate confirmation that the catheter is properly positioned, eliminating the need for fluoroscopy or other x-ray techniques. In addition to being self-guiding, the catheter provides for direct sampling of venous blood; is capable of continuously monitoring oxygen saturation in the hepatic or renal venous blood; and is capable of measuring absolute hepatic or renal blood flow using a tracer clearance technique.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A visceral catheter, comprising:
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a main catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; means for guiding said catheter to an operable position in which a portion of said main body is disposed within a predetermined visceral venous system, said guiding means comprising; first sensor means for detecting values of a predetermined analyte in a vessel disposed outside said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter and for outputting signals related thereto, said first sensor means being disposed on a first portion of said main catheter body which remains in said vessel outside said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter; second sensor means for detecting values of said predetermined analyte within said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter and for outputting signals related thereto, said second sensor means being disposed on a second portion of said main catheter body which is positioned within said visceral venous system in said operable position of said catheter; said main catheter body comprising a main axial portion extending from said proximal end and an angled distal end portion extending from said main axial portion, said second portion of said catheter body being disposed on said angled distal end portion of said catheter body; said predetermined analyte having a specific relationship to an organ associated with said predetermined visceral venous system such that values of said analyte within said visceral venous system are substantially different from systemic values of said analyte outside said visceral venous system; and said first and second sensor means being selectively connected to detector means for comparing said signals from said first and second sensor means and for alerting a user to a substantial difference between said signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A catheter, comprising:
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a main catheter body; first sensor means for detecting values of a predetermined analyte in a vessel disposed outside a predetermined venous system in an operable position of said catheter and for outputting signals related thereto, said first sensor means being disposed on a first portion of said main catheter body which remains in said vessel outside said predetermined venous system in said operable position of said catheter; second sensor means for detecting values of said predetermined analyte within said predetermined venous system in said operable position of said catheter and for outputting signals related thereto, said second sensor means being disposed on a second portion of said main catheter body which is positioned within said venous system in said operable position of said catheter; said first and second sensor means being selectively connected to detector means for receiving and processing said signals from said first and second sensor means; said detector means comprising a microprocessor and program memory, wherein; said program memory is programmed for computing concentration values of said predetermined analyte; and said microprocessor receives said signals from said first and second sensor means and utilizes said program memory to calculate concentration values of said predetermined analyte based on said signals from said first and second sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A visceral catheter, comprising:
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a main catheter body; sensor means for detecting values of a predetermined analyte both within and outside a predetermined visceral venous system and for outputting signals related thereto, said sensor means being disposed on a portion of said main catheter body which, in an operable position of said catheter, is positioned within said predetermined visceral venous system; said sensor means being selectively connected to detector means for receiving and processing signals from said sensor means; said predetermined analyte comprising an analyte other than oxygen which has a specific relationship to an organ associated with said predetermined visceral venous system such that values of said analyte within said visceral venous system are substantially lower than systemic values of said analyte outside said visceral venous system; and said detector means processes said signals from said sensor means and alerts a user, by virtue of a substantial decrease in said values of said analyte, when said sensor means is moved from a vessel outside said predetermined venous system to said operable position within said predetermined venous system. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification