Multi-Channel Catheter Connection for Anatomical Manometry

Abstract

An anatomical manometry catheter system, comprising a plurality of balloons on the distal end and being configured to be inflatable and/or deflatable. The system includes a connector assembly coaxially aligned with the catheter assembly, the connector assembly being connectable to the proximal end of the catheter. The connector assembly may have a connector interface connected to the proximal end of the catheter. The connector assembly may include a manifold comprising a plurality of channels configured to deliver the pressure transmission medium therethrough toward a respective catheter lumen for inflating one or more balloons. The connector assembly may include a charging mechanism fluidly coupled to the catheter that facilitates inflating each balloon of the plurality of balloons by a common actuating mechanism so as to simultaneously charge each balloon of the plurality of balloons.

1 . A connector assembly for an anatomical manometry system, the anatomical manometry system comprising a catheter being generally elongate in shape and having a central axis, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being configured for insertion into a patient lumen for measuring a pressure, the proximal end being opposite to the distal end, the catheter further including a plurality of catheter lumens permitting passage of a pressure transmission medium, the catheter further comprising a plurality of balloons on the distal end, each balloon being fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of catheter lumens so as to receive the pressure transmission medium, each balloon being configured to be inflatable and/or deflatable, the connector assembly comprising:
 a connector interface being connectable to the proximal end of the catheter and is coaxially aligned therewith, the connector interface having an alignment element to permit alignment between the catheter and the connector interface;   a manifold having
 a plurality of axial channels oriented in a direction parallel to the central axis, such that each axial channel is aligned with a respective catheter lumen, when the catheter is connected to the connector interface and aligned therewith by the alignment element, 
 a plurality of radial channels oriented in a radial direction, the radial direction being perpendicular to the central axis, each radial channel being fluidly coupled to a respective axial channel, the manifold being connected with the connector interface; and 
   a charging mechanism connectable to the catheter via the connector interface, by a complementary connection, the charging mechanism comprising a plurality of bellows fluidly coupled to one or more of the plurality of radial channels and one or more of the plurality of axial channels of the manifold so as to permit passage of the pressure transmission medium from the charging mechanism toward the catheter lumen, each bellow having a first end and a second end,   the bellows being commonly actuable when the manifold is connected with the connector interface by the complementary connection, the commonly actuated bellows further permitting simultaneously charging each balloon of the plurality of balloons.   
     
     
         2 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bellows are commonly-housed on a bellow housing, the bellow housing being coaxial with the central axis of the catheter whereby each bellow has a bellow axis parallel to the central axis of the catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The connector assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of each bellow contacts a first surface of the manifold, and the second end of each bellow contacts the bellow housing. 
     
     
         4 . The connector assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of radial channels are defined on a second surface of the manifold, the second surface being opposite to the first surface. 
     
     
         5 . The connector assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure transducer housing, the pressure transducer housing having a plurality of pressure sensors, the pressure transducer housing being coaxially aligned with the central axis of the catheter, the pressure transducer housing contacting the bellow housing so as to receive a pressure measurement from the catheter lumen when the bellows pressurize the balloons. 
     
     
         6 . The connector assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the manifold and the bellow housing are separated by a first axial distance when the catheter is disconnected from the connector interface, the manifold and the manifold and the bellow housing being separated by a second axial distance when the catheter is locked to the connector interface and/or charging has commenced, the second axial distance being less than the first axial distance. 
     
     
         7 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of axial channels are defined at least partially within a body portion of the manifold. 
     
     
         8 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each radial channel comprises a first radial opening and a second radial opening, the first radial opening being coupled to the first end of a respective bellow, and the second radial opening being coupled to the respective axial channel. 
     
     
         9 . The connector assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first radial opening has a first radial opening size and the second radial opening has a second radial opening size, the first radial opening size being greater than the second radial opening size. 
     
     
         10 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each radial channel generally tapers along the radial direction. 
     
     
         11 . A connector assembly for an anatomical manometry system, the anatomical manometry system comprising a catheter being generally elongate in shape and having a central axis, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being configured for insertion into a patient lumen for measuring a pressure, the proximal end being opposite to the distal end, the catheter further including a plurality of catheter lumens permitting passage of a pressure transmission medium, the catheter further comprising a plurality of balloons on the distal end, each balloon being fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of catheter lumens so as to receive the pressure transmission medium, each balloon being configured to be inflatable and/or deflatable, the connector assembly comprising:
 a connector interface being connectable to the proximal end of the catheter and is coaxially aligned therewith, the connector interface having an alignment element to permit alignment between the catheter and the connector interface;   a manifold having a plurality of channels, each channel being aligned with a respective catheter lumen when the catheter is connected to the connector interface permitting passage of the pressure transmission medium toward the catheter lumen,   the manifold being rotationally connected with the connector interface by a rotationally complementary connection, the connector interface being rotatable relative to the manifold; and   a charging mechanism coupled to the catheter and the connector assembly, the charging mechanism comprising a plurality of bellows commonly housed on a bellow housing, each bellow being fluidly coupled to plurality of channels of the manifold,   the rotation of the connector interface relative to the manifold permitting an axial displacement of the manifold relative to the bellow housing so as to simultaneously actuate each bellow positioned on the bellow housing, the commonly actuated bellows further permitting simultaneously charging each balloon of the plurality of balloons.   
     
     
         12 . The connector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the manifold further comprises a ramp portion defined near an outer perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The connector assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the connector interface comprises a plurality of pins extending axially toward the manifold, wherein, the rotationally complementary connection comprises engagement of the plurality of pins with the ramp portion of the manifold. 
     
     
         14 . The connector assembly of  claim 13 , wherein when the connector interface rotates relative to the manifold, each pin of the connector interface travels on the ramp portion of the manifold. 
     
     
         15 . An anatomical manometry catheter system, comprising:
 a catheter being generally elongate in shape and having
 a central axis, 
 a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being configured for insertion into a patient lumen for measuring a pressure, the proximal end being opposite to the distal end, 
 a plurality of catheter lumens permitting passage of a pressure transmission medium, 
 a plurality of balloons on the distal end, each balloon being fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of catheter lumens so as to receive the pressure transmission medium, each balloon being configured to be inflatable and/or deflatable; 
   a connector assembly coaxially aligned with the catheter, the connector assembly being connectable to the proximal end of the catheter, the connector assembly having
 a connector interface connected to the proximal end of the catheter and is coaxially aligned therewith, 
 a manifold comprising a plurality of channels configured to deliver the pressure transmission medium therethrough toward a respective catheter lumen for inflating one or more balloons, and 
 a charging mechanism fluidly coupled to the catheter, the charging mechanism comprising a plurality of pressurizing means, whereby actuation of the plurality of pressurizing means facilitates inflating each balloon of the plurality of balloons, each pressurizing means being simultaneously actuable by a common actuating mechanism so as to simultaneously charge each balloon of the plurality of balloons. 
   
     
     
         16 . The anatomical manometry catheter system of  claim 15 , wherein the pressurizing means include a plurality of bellows housed on a bellow housing, the bellow housing being coaxial with the central axis of the catheter whereby each bellow has a bellow axis parallel to the central axis of the catheter, whereby the bellows are commonly actuable when the connector interface is connected to the catheter so as to simultaneously charge each balloon of the plurality of balloons. 
     
     
         17 . The anatomical manometry catheter system of  claim 15 , wherein the pressurizing means comprises a plurality of charging pistons, and the common actuating mechanism comprises an actuation handle, each charging piston being coupled to a respective catheter lumen and a respective channel of the plurality of channels, wherein each piston is commonly actuable by applying a force on the actuation handle to move each piston in a direction parallel to the central axis of the catheter, so as to transmit pressure transmitting medium in the respective channel toward the respective balloon and thereby charge the respective balloon. 
     
     
         18 . The anatomical manometry catheter system of  claim 15 , wherein the catheter further comprises a central lumen positioned centrally about the central axis, the central lumen being generally surrounded by the plurality of catheter lumens, the central lumen being fluidly isolated from the plurality of catheter lumens. 
     
     
         19 . The anatomical manometry catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the central lumen is configured to deliver a liquid to the patient lumen. 
     
     
         20 . The anatomical manometry catheter system of  claim 15 , wherein each balloon is positioned on an outer perimeter of the catheter, and wherein the catheter comprises a plurality of radial openings, each radial opening being positioned at a location corresponding to a respective balloon, the plurality of radial openings being configured to fluidly couple each balloon to a respective catheter lumen. 
     
     
         21 - 25 . (canceled)