Replaceable catheter system for physiological sensors, stimulating electrodes and/or implantable fluid delivery systems

• US 5,651,767 A
• Filed: 01/11/1996
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Mann, Alfred E., Schulman, Joseph H., Byers, Charles L., Love, Jack W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/587,881
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1, 623/12, 600/17, 606/129, 606/191, 128/899, 128/635, 602/120, 604/8, 604/9
• US Class Current: 604/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6865 Access ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A replaceable catheter system provides a way to replace an implantable sensor, electrode system, and/or fluid delivery/receiving system. The replaceable catheter system includes an implantable shunt, such as an arteriovenous shunt, attached to an implantable introducer. The introducer and implantable shunt are adapted for surgical implantation within a patient such that it extends from immediately below the patient'"'"'s skin to the implantable shunt site. The replaceable catheter system further includes a replaceable catheter that is adapted to be contained within the introducer and properly aligned such that an implantable sensor, electrode system, and/or fluid delivery system that is carried by the replaceable catheter is placed in operative association with the implantable shunt and exposed to any fluids passing through the implantable shunt.

Claims

1. A replaceable catheter system comprising:

a surgically implantable shunt;

a replaceable catheter adapted to extend from a patient'"'"'s skin to the implantable shunt; and

a sensor/electrode connected to the replaceable catheter and placed in operative association with the implantable shunt;

whereby the sensor/electrode can be readily replaced after being implanted by removing the replaceable catheter from the implantable shunt and a new sensor, electrode, or tube can be placed at the implantable shunt.

2. The replaceable catheter system of claim 1 further comprising an introducer of biocompatible material adapted for housing the replaceable catheter, the introducer having a proximal end, a distal end and a conduit between the proximal end and the distal end, the replaceable catheter being disposed within the conduit.

3. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 wherein the distal end of the introducer further extends into and within the implantable shunt such that the sensor/electrode resides in an interior passage of the implantable shunt.

4. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 wherein the introducer further extends in juxtaposition relation with the implantable shunt such that the sensor/electrode is placed proximate an exterior surface of the implantable shunt.

5. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 wherein the introducer further comprises a protective sheath surrounding the sensor/electrode thereby isolating the sensor/electrode from the patient'"'"'s protective mechanisms when implanted, the protective sheath being further adapted to allow selected substances to permeate the sheath while blocking other substances.

6. The replaceable catheter system of claim 5 wherein the introducer further includes:

a distal end vent which allows communication between an interior passage of the introducer and the exterior such that any bodily fluids or chemical substances residing within the introducer are flushed out by the replaceable catheter as the replaceable catheter is inserted in the introducer; and

a sealing extension disposed at a distal end of the replaceable catheter which seals the distal end vent as the replaceable catheter is fully inserted in the introducer.

7. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 further comprising a protective coating of tissue growth inhibitors disposed on exterior surfaces of the introducer and the replaceable catheter, the protective coating being further adapted to allow selected substances to permeate through to the electronic sensing means while preventing tissue growth on or near the replaceable catheter system.

8. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 further comprising:

a control device adapted for implantation within the patient;

an electronics package disposed proximate the replaceable catheter and operatively associated with the sensor/electrode; and

a coupling means for electrically coupling power and data signals between the electronics package and the implanted control device.

9. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 further comprising an indexing means on the introducer and replaceable catheter for axially locating the replaceable catheter at a predetermined position within the introducer.

10. The replaceable catheter system of claim 9 wherein the indexing means comprises mating internal and external stops on the introducer and replaceable catheter, respectively.

11. The replaceable catheter system of claim 2 further comprising:

one or more internally implanted reservoirs of selected fluids disposed near the proximal end of the introducer; and

one or more secondary fluidic lumens disposed within the introducer and in communication with the reservoirs, the secondary fluidic lumens are adapted for directing the selected fluids from the reservoirs to predetermined locations proximate to the distal end of the replaceable catheter and introducer.

12. The replaceable catheter system of claim 11 wherein a selected fluid is an Antithrombogenic, anticoagulant, antibiotic, or anesthetizing substance.

13. The replaceable catheter system of claim 1 wherein the implantable shunt is an arteriovenous shunt.

14. The replaceable catheter system of claim 1 wherein the sensor/electrode comprises at least one physiological/chemical sensor.

15. The replaceable catheter system of claim 1 wherein the sensor/electrode comprises at least one stimulating electrode.