Catheter for monitoring intrauterine pressure to protect the fallopian tubes

Abstract

A multi-lumen catheter for monitoring intrauterine pressure comprising an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a uterus of a patient, the catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a first balloon at a distal portion. The first lumen communicates with the first balloon and the second lumen has an opening within the uterus for injection of x-ray dye or other fluid into the uterus for imaging the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes of a patient. The first balloon contains a gas to form along with the first lumen a chamber to monitor pressure within the uterus to thereby determine if excessive pressure is being applied to the fallopian tubes of the patient. A sensor is in communication with the first lumen to measure pressure about a circumferential area of the balloon to measure pressure in the uterus to provide readings of intrauterine pressure.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A multi-lumen catheter for monitoring intrauterine pressure to prevent damage to the fallopian tubes of a patient while determining patency, the catheter comprising an elongated body configured and dimensioned for insertion into a uterus of a patient, the catheter having a first lumen, a second lumen and a pressure sensor, the second lumen having an opening within in communication with the uterus for injection of dye or other fluid out of the opening and into the uterus to assess a condition of the fallopian tubes, the pressure sensor monitoring pressure within the uterus to thereby assess if pressure beyond a predetermined pressure is being applied to the fallopian tubes of the patient in response to the injection and condition of the fallopian tubes. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter further comprises a pressure balloon for monitoring pressure, a third lumen and a blocking balloon, the third lumen communicating with the blocking balloon to inflate the blocking balloon to block outflow of dye and retain the catheter, the blocking balloon having a diameter greater than a diameter of the pressure balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 14 , further comprising a stopper on an external surface of the catheter slidable with respect to the catheter to stop outflow of dye. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned in a distal region of the first lumen, and at least one wire extends from the sensor proximally through the first lumen for electrical communication with an external monitor. 
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 14 , further comprising a pressure balloon, the pressure balloon deforming to compress gas within the balloon for monitoring pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter of  claim 21 , further comprising an outer balloon positioned over the pressure balloon, the outer balloon deforming to deform the pressure balloon 
     
     
         23 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure balloon is partially inflated to receive less than a maximum volume for pressure measurement. 
     
     
         24 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned external of the catheter. 
     
     
         25 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure balloon is positioned proximal of a distal tip of the catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor continuously communicates with an external monitor to visually display pressure readings to indicate based on intrauterine pressure if excess pressure is being exerted on the fallopian tubes of the patient. 
     
     
         27 . The catheter of  claim 14 , further comprising a balloon, wherein the pressure sensor is connectable to the catheter and communicates with a gas filled chamber within the first lumen of the catheter for measuring intrauterine pressure based on gas compression caused by deformation of the balloon. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter of  claim 27 , wherein the gas is air and the pressure transducer is contained within a hub, and connection of the hub to a first port of the catheter automatically advances air into the balloon to expand the first balloon. 
     
     
         29 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the first lumen is not vented to atmosphere when the hub is connected to the catheter and advances air to expand the balloon. 
     
     
         30 . A method of assessing a condition of fallopian tubes of a patient and measuring uterine contraction pressure while assessing the condition, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a catheter having a first lumen;   inserting the catheter into a uterus of a patient;   injecting a dye or other fluid through the catheter into the uterus to assess the condition of the fallopian tubes;   obtaining a first pressure reading of the uterine contraction pressure; and   transmitting the first pressure reading to an external display connected to the catheter to indicate the pressure reading.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising a compressible balloon for compressing gas within the first lumen in response to pressure exerted on the balloon. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising a step of connecting a hub containing a pressure transducer to the catheter to automatically advance air through the first lumen of the catheter to expand the balloon from a deflated condition to a more expanded condition. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the catheter includes a temperature sensor, and the step of connecting the hub automatically connects the temperature sensor to a connector within the hub. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the step of measuring one or both of fetal heart rate and maternal PO2 levels. 
     
     
         35 . The catheter of  claim 30 , wherein the catheter further comprises a pressure balloon, a third lumen and a blocking balloon, the third lumen communicating with the blocking balloon to inflate the blocking balloon to block outflow of dye and retain the catheter, the blocking balloon having a diameter greater than a diameter of the pressure balloon. 
     
     
         36 . The catheter of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of sliding a stopper on an external surface of the catheter to stop outflow of dye.