Detection and clearing of occlusions in catheters

摘要

A catheter system 200 with integral sensing and clearing of occlusions is described. A catheter 205 in fluid communication with a shunt 255 for transporting a bodily fluid within, or out of, a patient's body. The catheter and/or the shunt can include one or more detection wires 215 and one or more transmission wires 215. The detection wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the detection of changes in electrical properties of the fluid indicating an occlusion in the catheter. The transmission wires can be in electrical communication with the fluid and can enable the application of electromagnetic energy to the occlusion to facilitate its removal. The detection wires and the transmission wires can be the same or different wires. The system can include a probe 220 that can be externally connected to the wires to provide detection and or transmission signals.