Combined echo-electrocardiographic probe

• US 5,749,833 A
• Filed: 08/15/1995
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A-Hamid Hakki, Said I. Hakky
• Original Assignee: A-Hamid Hakki, Said I. Hakky
• Inventors: Hakki, A-Hamid, Hakky, Said I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/515,315
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 128/642, 128/662.06, 607/124, 600/380, 600/462, 600/466
• US Class Current: 600/380
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/339 Displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction

Abstract

An esophageal probe comprising in combination EKG electrodes and ECHO electrodes selectively spaced from each other for monitoring or pacing an organ at a single location which allows for more controlled stimulation of the selected organ and to provide more accurate diagnostic data.

Claims

1. An esophageal probe for use in diagnosis or as a stimulant comprising:

a flexible elongated conduit having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first EKG electrode positioned on said conduit near said distal end;

a first ultrasonic transducer longitudinally positioned on said conduit in selective spaced relationship to said first electrode;

a second ultrasonic transducer longitudinally positioned on said conduit in selective spaced relationship to said first transducer;

a second EKG electrode positioned on said conduit in selective spaced relationship to said second ultrasonic transducer and spaced at a distance from the proximal end;

the ultrasonic transducers being positioned between the EKG electrodes, conductive pathways connected to said electrodes and transducers;

said proximal end being adapted for receiving the conductive pathways from each of the electrodes and transducers for connection with electrocardiological and echocardiographic devices; and

wherein the selective spaced relationship between each electrode and transducer is equal and not more than 5 centimeters.

2. The esophageal probe of claim 1 wherein each of said electrodes and each of said ultrasonic transducers are capable of transmitting and receiving electrical signals.

3. The esophageal probe of claim 1 wherein at least one EKG electrode is capable of cardiac stimulation.

4. The esophageal probe of claim 1 wherein the conductive pathways are wire conductors.

5. The esophageal probe of claim 1 wherein the conductive pathways are optical fibers.

6. The esophageal probe of claim 1 wherein each of said EKG electrode and said ultrasonic transducers are affixed around the exterior circumference of the conduit.

7. The esophageal probe of claim 1 where said first ultrasonic transducer emits ultrasonic waves which extend in all directions perpendicular to the surface of the transducer.