Reduced size catheter tip measurement device
First Claim
1. A catheter tip pressure transducer device, comprising:
- a catheter body having at least one internal lumen providing access to an external reference pressure;
at least one electrode disposed adjacent a distal end of said catheter body;
a support member coupled to a distal tip of said catheter body, said support member having a support surface, wherein said support member comprises metal, and wherein a portion of said support member comprises said at least one electrode;
a venting channel disposed within said support surface of said support member in communication with said at least one internal lumen of said catheter body;
a semiconductor pressure sensor having a diaphragm with a sensing side and a reference side, said pressure sensor being supported by said support surface of said support member and positioned relative to said venting channel so that said reference side of said diaphragm is in communication with said venting channel;
a flexible insulating material disposed over said sensing side of said diaphragm of said pressure sensor; and
an outer insulating layer covering exposed areas of said pressure sensor except for said diaphragm of said pressure sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device that contemplates a unique and advantageous reduced size catheter tip measurement device. By using a bottom support member and a thin outer insulating layer, rather than a tubular metal casing, to support and isolate the electrical measurement sensor, the present invention drastically reduces feature size possible with current structures for catheter tip measurement devices. More specifically, the device contemplates a reduced size catheter tip pressure transducer device. The device includes a catheter body that has a support member attached to its distal tip. The support member has a support surface for a semiconductor pressures sensor that provides mechanical stability to the pressure sensor. The exposed electrical and metal areas of the device are insulated from surrounding tissues and fluids by an outer insulating layer, which is preferably a polyimide sleeve. Utilizing the device catheter tip pressure transducers may be constructed having approximately half the current volume size of prior devices. This drastic reduction is size allows for placement inside small diameter lumens of catheters, small diameter veins and arteries, or other small biological features that have up to now been too small for high-fidelity measurements by prior catheter tip pressure transducers.
210 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A catheter tip pressure transducer device, comprising:
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a catheter body having at least one internal lumen providing access to an external reference pressure; at least one electrode disposed adjacent a distal end of said catheter body; a support member coupled to a distal tip of said catheter body, said support member having a support surface, wherein said support member comprises metal, and wherein a portion of said support member comprises said at least one electrode; a venting channel disposed within said support surface of said support member in communication with said at least one internal lumen of said catheter body; a semiconductor pressure sensor having a diaphragm with a sensing side and a reference side, said pressure sensor being supported by said support surface of said support member and positioned relative to said venting channel so that said reference side of said diaphragm is in communication with said venting channel; a flexible insulating material disposed over said sensing side of said diaphragm of said pressure sensor; and an outer insulating layer covering exposed areas of said pressure sensor except for said diaphragm of said pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification