Fluidic infusion system for catheter or probe
First Claim
1. An infusion catheter or probe for in vivo placement having a tubulus configuration, said catheter or probe comprising:
- at least one axially extending lumen through which fluid is transported from an opening formed by said lumen in a commencing end of said catheter or probe to a closed distal end thereof;
a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial openings formed through said catheter or probe communicating with said fluidic lumen to introduce fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter or probe, said radial openings being axially spaced from said distal end by a select spacing; and
a sensor/electrode proximate the distal end of said catheter or probe to perform a measurement, sensing or stimulation function together with said introduction of fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter or probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluidic infusion system introduces a select liquid chemical into the environment surrounding the functional end of an in vivo catheter or probe. The catheter/probe typically has a-sensor or electrode positioned near or at its closed distal end. A plurality of spaced radial openings are formed in an appropriate pattern adjacent to the end of the catheter/probe for introducing the select liquid chemical into the appropriate environment. The catheter/probe has at least one lumen extending through its length for directing the liquid chemical from a controlled pump to the radial openings. The openings are positioned within the catheter/probe so that when the catheter/probe is inserted into the appropriate environment, e.g., within a blood stream inside an artery or vein, the openings are upstream from the sensor or electrode relative to the flow of blood within such environment, thereby allowing the natural flow of blood to carry the liquid chemical from the radial openings to the sensor or probe area, where it can perform its intended function. The openings allow fluid flow therethrough only in one direction--from the lumen to the environment surrounding the catheter/probe. The catheter/probe may include a plurality of lumens for transporting differing liquid chemicals to the concerned environment.
416 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An infusion catheter or probe for in vivo placement having a tubulus configuration, said catheter or probe comprising:
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at least one axially extending lumen through which fluid is transported from an opening formed by said lumen in a commencing end of said catheter or probe to a closed distal end thereof; a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial openings formed through said catheter or probe communicating with said fluidic lumen to introduce fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter or probe, said radial openings being axially spaced from said distal end by a select spacing; and a sensor/electrode proximate the distal end of said catheter or probe to perform a measurement, sensing or stimulation function together with said introduction of fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter or probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fluidic infusion system including an in vivo catheter or probe for introducing a select fluid into the environment surrounding a functional end of said catheter or probe, comprising:
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a catheter or probe for in vivo placement having a tubulus configuration with at least one axially extending lumen through which fluid is transported from an opening formed by said lumen in a commencing end of said catheter or probe to a closed distal end thereof, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial openings formed through the body of said catheter or probe communicating with said fluidic lumen to introduce fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter or probe, said radial openings being axially spaced from said distal end by a select spacing, said catheter or probe further including a sensor/electrode proximate the distal end of said catheter or probe to perform a measurement, sensing or stimulation function together with said introduction of fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of said catheter or probe; reservoir means for storing said select fluid; pump means for transporting said fluid with volumetric control through said infusion system, said pump means being responsive to control signals for continuous or selectively intermittent operation and for metering the volume of fluid flowed therethrough; means for controlling said pump means, said control means having electronic circuitry for generating control signals for and providing control signals to said pump to determine continuous or selectively intermittent operation and to determine the metered volume of fluid flowed thereby; first fluid conduit means for transporting fluid to said pump means from said reservoir means; manifold means for introducing fluid into said fluidic lumen of said catheter or probe for transport thereby to the distal end; and second fluid conduit means for transporting fluid to said manifold from said pump means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A catheter or probe for in vivo placement having a tubulus configuration with at least one axially extending lumen through which fluid is transported from an opening formed by said lumen in a commencing end of said catheter or probe to a closed distal end thereof, and a sensor for performing a measurement function of the bodily liquids or tissue in which the catheter or probe is implanted, said sensor being embedded in a material which closes the distal end of said catheter or probe and said material having a porous character to fluidically communicate between said fluidic lumen and the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter or probe to introduce fluid into such surrounding environment.
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18. A fluidic infusion system including an in vivo catheter for introducing a select fluid into the environment surrounding a functional end of said catheter, comprising:
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a catheter for in vivo placement having a tubulus configuration, said catheter including, at least one axially extending lumen through which fluid is transported from an opening formed by said lumen in a commencing end of said catheter to a closed distal end thereof, a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial openings formed through a body of said catheter and communicating with said fluidic lumen to introduce fluid into the environment surrounding the distal end of the catheter, said radial openings being axially spaced from said distal end by a select spacing, a material which closes the distal end of said catheter; and a sensor or electrode for performing a measurement, sensing or stimulation function of the bodily liquids or tissue in which the catheter is implanted embedded in the material which closes the distal end of the catheter; reservoir means for storing said select fluid; pump means for transporting said fluid with volumetric control through said fluidic infusion system, said pump means being responsive to control signals for continuous or selectively intermittent operation and for metering the volume of fluid flowed therethrough; means for controlling said pump means, said control means including, electronic circuitry for generating and providing said control signals to said pump means to determine continuous or selectively intermittent operation and to determine the metered volume of fluid flowed thereby, and synchronizing means for controlling said pump means to cease fluid flow for a select period during which a measurement, sensing or stimulation function is being performed by a sensor or electrode of said catheter; first fluid conduit means for transporting fluid to said pump means from said reservoir means; manifold means for introducing fluid into said fluidic lumen of said catheter for transport thereby to the distal end; and second fluid conduit means for transporting fluid to said manifold means from said pump means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification