EVERTING CATHETER WITH THERMALLY CONTROLLED STIFFNESS

摘要

A catheter sonde of thermoplastic material is applicable in the minimal-invasive medicine, for research and diagnostics of bodies with complicated internal configuration. A segmented ring-like head (4, 5) of a guide tube (3) is provided with heaters (7) and pick-ups (8) which are connected by leads (9, 10), spirally wound in the wall of the guide tube (3), via a connector (17, 18) to an electronic control system (37). A tube (2) of thermoplastic material, whose front is fixed to a flange (15), is everted in such a way that it covers the head (4, 5) of the guide tube (3). Thermally controlled stiffness enables the eversion of the thermoplastic tube (2), whose advancement and retraction are controlled by hydraulic pressure means (22, 24).