Pressure sensor for therapeutic delivery device and method

• US 20040225298A1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Tom, Curtis P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,211,063 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3494 with safety means for protection against accidental cutting or pricking, e.g. limiting insertion depth, pressure sensors for the peridural space A61B17/3401
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/348 Means for supporting the trocar against the body or retaining the trocar inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/32 Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a region of patient tissue, wherein the tissue has a surface, the apparatus comprising:

an accessing tool for accessing the region, the accessing tool having a distal end and a proximal end and being manipulable from the proximal end to place the distal end in contact with the region;

a shaft disposed proximate the distal end of the accessing tool;

a cap member coupled to the shaft and disposed at the distal end of the accessing tool;

a support member having an opening therein for receiving the shaft therethrough, the shaft extending through the opening, and the support member being capable of being positioned near or in contact with a proximal-facing side of the cap member; and

one or more pressure transducer elements coupled to the support member or to the cap member at one or more locations surrounding the shaft;

wherein, during operation of the accessing tool, at least one of the one or more pressure transducer elements, in response to a force applied to the cap member by the region, generates one or more information signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more information signals are indicative of the magnitude of the force applied to the cap member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of pressure transducer elements are coupled to the support member or the cap member and at least partially surround the shaft.