FRICTION TORQUE LIMITER FOR AN IMAGING CATHETER

摘要

The invention provides a frictional torque limiter assembly for an imaging core spinning in a patient's body. The torque limiter assembly torsionally isolates the imaging core from a motor that spins the imaging core. An interference fit between a slitted drive tube and a spacer tube acts as a clutch that allows a spinning imaging probe to slow or stop relative to the motor until the motor is stopped, thereby preventing an unsafe condition.

主权项

1. A torque limiter for an intravascular imaging probe, the torque limiter comprising:
a drive tube comprising a drive tube wall defining a drive tube lumen and an inside diameter, the drive tube wall defining a slit extending from a first end of the drive tube lumen along a portion of the drive tube wall; a spacer tube received in the first end of the drive tube lumen, the spacer tube comprising a spacer tube wall defining an outside diameter, at least a portion of the spacer tube wall being interference fit with the inside diameter of the drive tube wall; and a torque wire attached to the spacer tube; whereby the spacer tube spins within the drive tube if torque on the torque wire exceeds a predetermined threshold.