Abstract:
A catheter is provided for the injection of therapeutic agents at a target site within a patient's body. The catheter includes a first elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter also includes a second elongated shaft in the form of a needle slidingly disposed in the first elongated shaft, the needle having a distal end and a proximal and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter may include a flexible sleeve, wherein the flexible sleeve compresses along the inside of a curve and elongates along the outside of a curve. The catheter may additionally or alternatively include an adjustable distal tissue contact surface, wherein the position of the distal tissue contact surface may be adjusted with respect to a stop surface for stopping the advancement of a needle. The catheter may additionally or alternatively include a fluid pressure contact monitor.
Abstract:
A laser system comprises a reflective chamber capable of housing a laser medium and at least two laser diodes emitting light at different respective wavelengths into the reflective chamber. The wavelength of each respective laser diode may be selected to minimize fluctuations in absorption by the laser medium of light emitted by the diode bars as the wavelength of each respective laser diode changes due to changes in an operating temperature of the laser system. The wavelength of each respective laser diode may be selected such that absorption by the laser medium of the wavelength of light emitted by one laser diode increases and absorption by the laser medium of the wavelength of light emitted by another laser diode decreases as the operating temperature changes within a predefined range.
Abstract:
An elongate medical device that may be used for performing medical procedures on a patient is provided. This elongate medical device may include a first member having a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen, where the first member may have an elongated configuration such that the length of the first member is at least ten times greater than the width of the first member. The elongate medical device may also have a second member positioned within the first member and a hood stop. The hood stop in this device may be positioned within the first member and may have a distal region and a shoulder region where the shoulder region may be configured to limit the travel of the first member or the second member past the hood stop.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for catheter-based sensing and injection at a target site within a patient's body. An injection catheter is equipped with a electrodes at its distal end which contact the surface of a target site, such as an AV node of the heart. Electrical signals detected at the target site by the electrodes are fed via leads to the proximal end of the catheter, where they are received by a monitor, such as an EKG monitor. If the electrical signals satisfy predetermined criteria, a needle within the catheter is extended into the target site, and a therapeutic agent is injected into the target site.
Abstract:
An apparatus for the injection of therapeutic and other agents at a target site within a patient's body. A catheter including a first elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter also including a second elongated shaft slidingly disposed in the first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter further including a third elongated shaft disposed in and attached to the second elongate shaft, the third elongated shaft to move in a one-to-one relationship with the first elongated shaft and the second elongated shaft to maintain a predetermined needle deployment length as each are subjected to various bend configurations.
Abstract:
A catheter shaft assembly is disclosed. A catheter shaft in accordance with the present invention comprises a first elongate shaft having an inner surface defining a lumen, a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the first elongate shaft, at least one interstitial member disposed between the inner surface of the first elongate shaft and the outer surface of the second elongate shaft.
Abstract:
A catheter assembly is disclosed. This assembly may include a first elongate member having an internal lumen and a distal portion, a second elongate member, slidable within the first elongate member, and a spacer positioned between the second elongate member and the first elongate member. In this example, the spacer may be positioned at bendable portions of the first elongate member and the second elongate member such that the spacer maintains a substantially uniform spacing between the second elongate member and the first elongate member when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in a curved orientation.