GAUGING SYSTEM FOR MONITORING CHANNEL DEPTH IN PERCUTANEOUS ENDOCARDIAL REVASCULARIZATION

摘要

A gauging system for monitoring channel depth in percutaneous endocardial revascularization surgery, includes a catheter (14) for percutaneous insertion into a heart chamber, including a source (23) of tissue ablative energy for ablating a part of the wall of the heart chamber where a channel is to be created; a sensor device (24) proximate the distal end of the catheter (14) for sensing a boundary of the heart wall; and a detection circuit (27) responsive to the sensor device (24) for determining the position of the terminus of the channel in the heart chamber. Alternatively, a mechanical stop (130) extending radially beyond the distal tip may be used for physically limiting penetration of the catheter tip into the drilled channels.