Temperature sensing catheter
US6712771B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/028
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermal sensing catheter finds particular utility in detecting and isolating unstable arterial plaque. Miniaturized temperature sensors, preferably in the form of microthermistors, are embedded into expandable presentation elements disposed at the distal end of a catheter. The sensors may then be deployed to measure the surface temperature of the inner wall of coronary arteries or other vessels at multiple sites to identify sites of elevated temperature indicative of unstable plaque. The presentation elements may assume a “hand” type design or an alternate basket-type structure. A plurality of thermal sensors are embedded into the sides of polymeric or metallic sensing elements which expand out from the centerline of a catheter toward the inner vessel walls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.