Sheath for a side view probe

• US 5,941,834 A
• Filed: 03/17/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polartechnics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Polartechnics Ltd.
• Inventors: Skladnev, Victor N., Thompson, Richard L., Wunderman, Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wingood, Pamela
• Application Number:
  US08/818,921
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 600/590, 600/593, 607/133, 607/138
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0233 Optical standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]

Abstract

A sheath for a side view probe having at least two complete hybrid optical and electrode systems on opposite faces of a cylinder, in order to obviate the need to manipulate the probe through more than a half revolution during examination by the doctor. The sheath covers the probe but allows both electrical and optical measurements to be made by the underlying probe on the same areas of tissue. The invention uses the hoop tension in the sheath to apply the needed spring force to maintain electrode contact. In addition, the probe and its sheath are shaped to ensure both good electrical contact and reliable optical pathways. A built-in means of calibration of the sheath enclosed probe is achieved by attaching to the outside of the tip of the sheath a tube or blocks of a turbid material such as a polymer of controlled composition. The tube or blocks of turbid material are removed prior to using the probe on a patient.

Claims

1. A sheath having active regions for a side view probe used to examine the tissue of a patient, said sheath being removable from the probe and replaceable with another identical sheath upon said probe to prevent cross contamination between patients comprising, said probe having at least one optical radiation emitter,

a plurality of optically transparent areas at the active regions of the sheath wherein optical radiation from said optical radiation emitter passes through the sheath in order to effectuate optical radiation from the probe onto said tissue,

one or more electrodes adjacent to said optically transparent areas,

said sheath having guide means that constrain the electrodes to align with corresponding electrical contacts on the probe,

wherein electrical and optical measurements may be made simultaneously by the sheathed probe on area of tissue adjacent the sides of the probe.

2. The sheath for a side view probe of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises electrical contacts, said sheath is cylindrical and has a hoop tension, and said hoop tension forces a reliable electrical contact between electrodes on the active regions of the sheath and corresponding electrical contacts on the probe.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheath has thin transparent windows to pass radiation to and from optical elements of the side view probe.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheath has an inside wetted with a liquid that enhances optical coupling.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said optical liquid comprises mineral oil or glycerine.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said optical liquid is thixotropic.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising

a turbid material at the active areas which serves the purpose of checking the calibration of the probe and the precision of the optical coupling to the cover window and which can be removed prior to using the probe on a patient.