System and method for measuring cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in luminal organs
First Claim
1. A method for measuring the instantaneous cross-sectional area of a targeted treatment site, comprising:
- introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site;
providing constant electrical current flow to the treatment site through the catheter;
injecting a known volume of a first solution of a first compound having a first conductivity into the treatment site;
measuring a first conductance value at the treatment site;
injecting a second solution of a second compound having a second conductivity into the treatment site, wherein the second solution has a second volume and wherein the second conductivity does not equal the first conductivity;
measuring a second conductance value at the treatment site;
calculating the instantaneous cross-sectional area of the treatment site based on the first and second conductance values and the conductivities of the first and second solutions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a system includes: an impedance catheter capable of being introduced into a targeted site; a solution delivery source; a constant current source; a balloon inflation control device; and a data acquisition and processing system that receives conductance and/or pressure gradient data from the catheter and calculates the cross-sectional area of the targeted site. In one embodiment, the catheter has an inflatable balloon along its longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the breakup of any materials causing stenosis at the targeted site and/or distention and delivery of an optional stent into the targeted site.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for measuring the instantaneous cross-sectional area of a targeted treatment site, comprising:
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introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site; providing constant electrical current flow to the treatment site through the catheter; injecting a known volume of a first solution of a first compound having a first conductivity into the treatment site; measuring a first conductance value at the treatment site; injecting a second solution of a second compound having a second conductivity into the treatment site, wherein the second solution has a second volume and wherein the second conductivity does not equal the first conductivity; measuring a second conductance value at the treatment site; calculating the instantaneous cross-sectional area of the treatment site based on the first and second conductance values and the conductivities of the first and second solutions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for measuring the cross-sectional area of a targeted treatment site, comprising:
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introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site; providing constant electrical current flow to the treatment site through the catheter; injecting a known volume of a first solution of a first compound having a first conductivity into the treatment site; measuring a first conductance value at the treatment site; injecting a second solution of a second compound having a second conductivity into the treatment site, wherein the second solution has a second volume and wherein the second conductivity does not equal the first conductivity; measuring a second conductance value at the treatment site; calculating the cross-sectional area of the treatment site based on the first and second conductance values and the conductivities of the first and second solutions; and selecting the catheter to be introduced into the treatment site based on the measurement of a first conductance and a first current density at the treatment site. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for measuring the cross-sectional area of a targeted treatment site, comprising:
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introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site; providing constant electrical current flow to the treatment site through the catheter; injecting a known volume of a first solution of a first compound having a first conductivity into the treatment site; measuring a first conductance value at the treatment site; injecting a second solution of a second compound having a second conductivity into the treatment site, wherein the second solution has a second volume and wherein the second conductivity does not equal the first conductivity; measuring a second conductance value at the treatment site; calculating the cross-sectional area of the treatment site based on the first and second conductance values and the conductivities of the first and second solutions; selecting an appropriately-sized stent based on the cross-sectional area value of the treatment site; implanting the stent into the treatment site; inflating with a fluid a balloon attached to the catheter; providing electrical current into the fluid filling the balloon at various degrees of balloon distension; measuring the conductance of the fluid inside the balloon; and calculating the cross-sectional area of the balloon lumen.
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Specification