Method and device for testing electrophysiology catheter

• US 5,552,713 A
• Filed: 08/15/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Assist Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Rashidi, Majid
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DO, DIEP N
• Application Number:
  US08/290,148
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 324/522, 324/527, 324/537, 324/555, 324/556, 324/542, 604/280, 604/281, 604/282, 604/284
• US Class Current: 324/555
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58

Abstract

A continuity/leakage tester for cardiac catheter probes of the type having plural spaced surface electrodes thereon. The apparatus includes a block having an open ended blind bores provided therein sized for receiving catheters of different diameters. A port is provided in the bore or bores adjacent the opened end and a spring loaded electrical contact provided therein which is grounded. Four plural bores are provided in the block, a common electrical conductor bar extends transversely across the ports which are formed at a common longitudinal station on each of the bores. The catheter is inserted in the bore and as each surface electrode contacts the spring biased electrode in the bore, a continuity test may be performed by an ohm meter connected to the probe lead for that particular surface electrode. As each subsequent surface electrode on the probe enters the bore, its corresponding electrical lead may be switched to the ohm meter for continuity testing of that electrode. Leakage test may be performed between each pair of spaced surface electrodes on the probe by applying a leak test voltage across any two conductors via the catheter leads. If any electrical leakage is present between the selected conductors, a leak current is detected by a leakage detector. The block may be mounted conveniently on a cabinet containing the electrical circuitry for the continuity and leakage testing; and, selector knobs may be provided on the cabinet for the various test functions. The apparatus and method of the present invention enable the medical practitioner to quickly and easily test a cardiac catheter probe in the operating room prior to insertion of the probe in the incision made for entering the probe in the patients vein and inserting the probe into the patients heart.

Claims

1. A new method of testing a heart catheter/probe having a plurality of spaced surface electrical conductors each having an electrical lead attached thereto comprising:

(a) providing a base or block and forming at least one open cavity in the block;

(b) forming an access port in said block and communicating said port with said cavity and disposing an electrode in said port and extending same into said cavity;

(c) inserting said probe in said cavity and selectively positioning said probe for individually contacting selected ones of said conductors with said electrode; and

,

(d) applying an electrical potential to the electrical lead associated with said selected one conductor and detecting if current flows through said electrode thereby testing each of said conductors for continuity.

2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said step of disposing an electrode includes resiliently biassing a contact bar or ball into said port.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said step of forming a cavity includes forming a plurality of generally spaced parallel cavities of different sizes.

4. The method defined in claim 1, wherein

(a) said step of forming a cavity includes forming a plurality of generally spaced parallel cavities of different sizes;

(b) said step of forming an access port includes aligning the ports for each of said plurality of cavities; and

,

(c) said step of disposing an electrode includes interconnecting said ports for said plurality of cavities with a common electrode member.

5. A method of testing a heart catheter/probe having a plurality of spaced surface conductors with individual electrical leads connected thereto;

(a) providing a base or block and forming an open cavity in the block sized to receive the probe in sliding engagement;

(b) forming an access bore in said block communicating said with said cavity;

(c) disposing an electrode in said bore and extending same into said cavity;

(d) inserting said probe in said cavity and selectively positioning said probe and contacting individually selected ones of said conductors with said electrode; and

,

(e) applying a voltage to another of said conductors through one of said leads and detecting if electrical current flows through said electrode.

6. A tester for electrophysiology catheter/probe of the type having plural spaced surface electrodes each with an individual electrical lead attached comprising:

(a) base or support means having at least one cavity therein sized for slidably receiving said catheter/probe in closely fitting arrangement;

(b) a test electrode disposed at a predetermined location in said at least one cavity and electrical test lead means connected to the test electrode for external connection thereto;

(c) indicator means connected in series with one of said individual electrical leads and a source of electrical potential, wherein, upon user positioning of said probe in said at least one cavity for said test electrode to contact the surface electrode associated with said individual lead, and upon connecting said test lead means in circuit with said power source, current flows through said indicator means if said surface electrode of said probe is functional.

7. The tester defined in claim 6, wherein said base or support means includes a plurality of said bores of different sizes disposed in spaced generally parallel arrangement.

8. The tester defined in claim 6, wherein

(a) said base or support means includes a plurality of said bores of different sizes disposed in spaced generally parallel arrangement;

and,

(b) said electrode includes a common member having different portions thereof extending into each of said plurality of bores.