Multifunction catheter

• US 5,916,153 A
• Filed: 10/27/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rhea W. Gardner Jr
• Original Assignee: Rhea W. Gardner Jr
• Inventors: Rhea, W. Gardner Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/958,509
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322-325, 600/339-342, 600/364, 600/549, 600/585, 600/473, 600/474, 600/476, 600/478, 600/479, 604/96
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/036 by means introduced into body tracts A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence

Abstract

A modified Foley type catheter has a pressure sensor near the insertion end, an inflatable balloon, a temperature sensor, a light emitter, and a blood oxygen level detector near the light emitting means, all molded into the catheter tube wall. The oxygen level sensor is arranged to receive light energy from tissue illuminated by the light source. All required electrical conductors, and fiber optics elements if used, are molded into the catheter wall and terminate in a connector near the access end. The balloon has a fluid supply conduit, or channel, molded into the catheter wall and it terminates in a connector nipple near the access end. A pulse detector means is derived from the association of the oxygen level sensor and the required external signal processor. All associated external signal processor and output indicators means currently exist for observation and recording. Rewiring for suitable connector association with the novel catheter is well established in the art.

Claims

1. A catheter device arranged to empower a plurality of functions with a single insertion operation, the catheter comprising:

a) a urethral-type catheter having an insertion end and an access end and a connecting tube;

b) a pressure sensor imbedded into said insertion end;

c) a temperature sensor imbedded into the wall of said tube, near said insertion end and arranged to produce an electric signal with characteristics determined by temperature sensed;

d) a light emitter imbedded into said wall and arranged to project light outward from the outside surface of said tube in response to electric energy provided thereto;

e) a color discriminating light sensitive detector molded into the wall of said tube and arranged to produce an electric signal with characteristics determined by the characteristics of light energy received from the urethral lining outside said catheter;

f) an inflatable balloon intrinsic to said catheter tube wall, near said insertion end, comprising a peripheral chamber in said tube wall;

g) a plurality of conductors imbedded in said catheter wall, at least one connected to each said light emitter, said light sensitive detector, said temperature sensor, and said pressure sensor, each terminating in an at least one conductor connector near said access end; and

h) a fluid conductor tube imbedded in said catheter wall, fluidly connected to said peripheral chamber and opening as a tubular connector extending from said catheter near said access end;

whereby said light detector, when in use adjacent mucosa, receives light energy produced by said light source as conditioned by said mucosa and whereby said catheter provides a terminal end for association with external signal conditioner, control, and indicator means.

2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said at least one conductor is connected to said catheter by a flexible extension.

3. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensor is imbedded near the outer surface of said wall.

4. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said balloon is situated along said catheter tube between said insertion end and said temperature sensor.

5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said balloon is situated along said catheter tube between said insertion end and said light emitter and light sensitive detector.

6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said light emitter and said light detector are covered by a thin membrane that provides the outer surface of said catheter.

7. The catheter of claim 1 wherein said peripheral chamber is, at least in part, provided by a tubular membrane secured to the external surface of said catheter.

8. A modified Foley catheter having an insertion end, an access end, and a tubular extension therebetween comprising intrinsic pressure sensor means, temperature sensor means, and oximeter means imbedded in the material forming the wall of the tubular extension and provided with at least one electrical connector at the access end, said connector providing access to conductors imbedded in the wall and in communication with said connector and external control and signal conditioning means to provide readout information defining temperature, pressure, blood oxygen levels and pulse rate for a patient fitted with the catheter.