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Self-guiding, multifunctional visceral catheter

  • US 5,520,178 A
  • Filed: 11/01/1994
  • Issued: 05/28/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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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