Lesion diameter measurement catheter and method
First Claim
1. A method for measuring a cross-sectional dimension of a target location of a body lumen, the method comprising;
- inserting a catheter into the body lumen, wherein the catheter includes a balloon;
aligning the balloon with the target location within the body lumen;
inflating the balloon within the body lumen so that a cross-section of the balloon substantially matches the cross-section of the body lumen;
measuring a cross-sectional dimension of the balloon, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the balloon corresponds to a cross-sectional dimension of the target location of the body lumen;
deflating the balloon, wherein the balloon does not suffer irreversible changes during the inflating step; and
reusing the balloon.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides methods and apparatus for determining cross-sectional dimensions of body lumens, such as the diameter of a blood vessel. According to one exemplary method, the diameter of a blood vessel is measured by first inflating a balloon catheter within the lumen until the balloon diameter matches the lumen diameter. Inflation may be at a very low pressure and be constrained by the lumen, or may alternatively be controlled by monitoring the flow within the lumen. The balloon includes at least one measurement element which indicates the expanded balloon cross-sectional area, circumference, or diameter. Optionally, the measurement element provides a fluoroscopic, radiographic, or ultrasound indication of the cross-sectional dimension. In alternative embodiments, such dimensions may be transmitted to the distal end of the catheter, or determined after deflation and removal of the catheter.
342 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for measuring a cross-sectional dimension of a target location of a body lumen, the method comprising;
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inserting a catheter into the body lumen, wherein the catheter includes a balloon; aligning the balloon with the target location within the body lumen; inflating the balloon within the body lumen so that a cross-section of the balloon substantially matches the cross-section of the body lumen; measuring a cross-sectional dimension of the balloon, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the balloon corresponds to a cross-sectional dimension of the target location of the body lumen; deflating the balloon, wherein the balloon does not suffer irreversible changes during the inflating step; and reusing the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for measuring a cross-sectional dimension of a target location of a body lumen, the method comprising:
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inserting a catheter into the body lumen, wherein the catheter includes a balloon; aligning the balloon with the target location within the body lumen; sensing a flow through the body lumen using a sensor coupled to the external surface of the catheter; inflating the balloon within the body lumen so that a cross-section of the balloon substantially matches the cross-section of the body lumen, wherein the inflating of the balloon is halted when flow through the body lumen is blocked; and measuring a cross-sectional dimension of the balloon, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the balloon corresponds to a cross-sectional dimension of the target location of the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for measuring a cross-sectional dimension of a target location of a body lumen having a flow, the method comprising:
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inserting a catheter into the lumen, wherein the catheter includes a balloon and a sensor in communication with an outside surface of the catheter; aligning the balloon with the target location within the body lumen; inflating the balloon within the body lumen until the sensor indicates a blockage of the flow; and measuring a cross-sectional dimension of the inflated balloon while the balloon is inflated within the body lumen, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the balloon corresponds to a cross-sectional dimension of the target location of the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A body lumen cross-sectional dimension measurement catheter comprising:
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a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen between the proximal end and the distal end; and an elastomeric balloon disposed about the distal end of the catheter body, the balloon in communication with the lumen; a means for matching an inflated balloon cross-sectional dimension to a body lumen cross-sectional dimension without substantially distending the body lumen, and a measurement element which indicates the cross-sectional dimension of the inflated balloon. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification