MULTI-PURPOSE MULTI-PARAMETER CARDIAC CATHETER

摘要

A multi-lumen multi-purpose catheter (10) which incorporates optical filamen ts (33) and an optical coupler (30) for use with an external apparatus for determining the oxygen concentration in the blood of a patient under critical care conditions, as well as incorporating therein a heater coil (55) useable with a second external apparatus for measurement of continuous cardiac output. The catheter (10) also includes a thermistor (54) and at least one injectate port (64) for enabling the user to also conduct thermal dilution readings and obtain intermittent measurements of cardiac output. The combination of a thermal dilution cathe- ter with an SV02 catheter and a continuous cardiac output catheter gives the multipurpose catheter (10) substantial versatility as well as providing the user with a versatile cardiac catheter device which enables him to conduct multiple evaluations of disparate blood-related parameters which require the use of separate apparatuses.