Catheter with pressure sensor and guidance system
First Claim
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1. A process for inserting a catheter within a narrow channel, the process comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a catheter comprisingi) a smooth elongated tube having a tip,ii) a plurality of pressure sensors distributed about the tip for measuring at least one of pressure fluctuations and variations of pressure associated with the orientation of the catheter within a narrow channel comparable to the width of said smooth elongated tube,b) introducing the catheter into a bodily conduit of living creature,c) monitoring at least one of the absolute and differential pressure between the plurality of sensors,d) transmitting to the user instructions to steer the catheter based on the difference in pressure between two or more of the sensors in the plurality of sensors.
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Abstract
A catheter terminates at a tip that includes an array of pressure sensors. The sensors are responsive to detect and alert the user to variations of pressure that indicate the tip is either encountering an obstruction or constriction of smaller diameter than the catheter, as well as to guide the catheter through the conduit into which it is being inserted.
13 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A process for inserting a catheter within a narrow channel, the process comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a catheter comprising i) a smooth elongated tube having a tip, ii) a plurality of pressure sensors distributed about the tip for measuring at least one of pressure fluctuations and variations of pressure associated with the orientation of the catheter within a narrow channel comparable to the width of said smooth elongated tube, b) introducing the catheter into a bodily conduit of living creature, c) monitoring at least one of the absolute and differential pressure between the plurality of sensors, d) transmitting to the user instructions to steer the catheter based on the difference in pressure between two or more of the sensors in the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification