Pressure sensing catheter

Abstract

This invention provides a pressure sensing catheter, and method for using the same, which eliminates the practitioners' need to fill the catheter with fluid manually prior to insertion, and thereby increases the accuracy and ease of the overall pressure-sensing procedure. The illustrative catheter includes, in its proximal end, a transducer base or housing that is permanently attached to the catheter shaft. The base includes, inserted thereinto, one or more miniaturized pressure transducer assemblies, which are in fluid communication with corresponding pressure lumens that extend down the shaft and are in communication with one or more predetermined balloons by discrete channels or ports, which provide a fluid passage between the interior space of the balloon and the corresponding pressure lumen. The integral assembly includes a predetermined, previously installed charge of fluid that extends from the transducer, through the corresponding pressure lumen and into the interior volume of the sensing balloon.

1 . A method for manufacturing a pressure sensing catheter having a catheter shaft with a proximal end attached to a transducer base and a distal end having, adjacent thereto a first pressure sensing balloon, comprising the steps of:
 a) permanently securing the first pressure sensing balloon to the catheter shaft in communication with a first pressure lumen that extends through the catheter shaft so as to form the fluid-tight seal between the catheter shaft and opposing ends of the first pressure sensing balloon;   b) permanently securing the transducer base to the proximal end of the catheter shaft so as to form a fluid-tight seal with the proximal end of the catheter shaft, the catheter shaft being aligned with respect to the transducer base so that a first well in the transducer base is in fluid communication with an interior of the first pressure sensing balloon via the first pressure lumen;   c) alternatively (i) applying fluid to the first well under pressure so as to direct the fluid into the interior of the first pressure sensing balloon and the first pressure lumen and (ii) applying a vacuum to the well to evacuate air from the first pressure sensing balloon and the first pressure lumen to thereby provide the first prefilled charge of fluid thereinto; and   d) securing the first sensor assembly into the first well in a permanent or semi-permanent manner so as to form an integral structure between the transducer base and the first sensor assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising,
 a) permanently securing a second pressure sensing balloon to the catheter shaft at a location therealong spaced-apart from the first pressure sensing balloon in communication with a second pressure lumen that extends through the catheter shaft so as to form the fluid-tight seal between the catheter shaft and opposing ends of the second pressure sensing balloon, and wherein the step of permanently securing the transducer base includes aligning the catheter shaft with respect to the transducer base so that a second well in the transducer base is in fluid communication with an interior of the second pressure sensing balloon via the second pressure lumen, 
 b) alternatively (i) applying fluid to the first well under pressure so as to direct the fluid into the interior of the second pressure sensing balloon and the second pressure lumen and (ii) applying a vacuum to the well to evacuate air from the second pressure sensing balloon and the second pressure lumen to thereby provide a second prefilled charge of fluid thereinto, and 
 c) securing the second sensor assembly into the second well in a permanent or semi-permanent manner so as to form an integral structure between the transducer base and the second sensor assembly. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising after step (c), packaging the pressure sensing catheter in a sealed pouch for delivery to a user. 
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising after step (d), packaging the pressure sensing catheter in a sealed pouch for delivery to a user.