SENSING CATHETER EMITTING RADIANT ENERGY

摘要

Provided is a sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a proximal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

主权项

1. A flexible sensing catheter for insertion into and use within a narrow mammalian body lumen or passage, comprising
an outer catheter sheath having a distal end for insertion into the body lumen or passage, a distal catheter section formed within the catheter sheath and in which the outer sheath terminates in an inwardly tapered distal exit and/or inlet port having a distal tip aperture of reduced internal port diameter, a sensing system comprising
a sensing means housed within said catheter distal section near the distal tapered port and having a sensor for sensing a radiant energy directly from the lumen or passage as the catheter travels through or stops within the lumen or passage,radiant energy providing means positioned within said catheter distal section in a location proximal and near to the radiant energy sensor of said sensing means andradiant energy transmitting means for transmitting radiant energy, provided by the radiant energy providing means into the body lumen or passage, andan annular channel formed between the outer sheath and the sensing meanssaid radiant energy transmitting means including means for transmitting the provided radiant energy through the annular channel, around the sensing means, and directly into the body lumen or passage through and from the tapered distal port.