System and method for controlling the temperature of a catheter-mounted heater
US5755670A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for keeping the surface temperature of an electric resistance-type heater element in a thermodilution catheter within safe physiological limits includes, in the preferred embodiment, a heater element core temperature monitor, a monitor for monitoring the power that is supplied to the heater element, and a surface temperature calculator for calculating the surface temperature of the heater element based on the core temperature, supplied power, and information representing the characteristics of the particular catheter under anticipated clinical conditions. A second aspect of the invention involves a system for determining the supply of power to the heater element based on the core temperature of the heater element. A third aspect of the invention involves a system readiness test for determining, in vivo, that the thermodilution catheter system is properly calibrated before the system is operational. Methods of operation for each of the above-referenced aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.