Flexible medical device with marker band and sensor

Abstract

A system and method for determining a pH level of blood in a vessel of a patient including a flexible elongated device configured and dimensioned for insertion in the vessel of the patient. The elongated device has a tubular portion, a marker band positioned distally of the tubular portion and a pH sensor positioned within the marker band to measure the pH level of blood downstream of the blood clot and an indicator to indicate the measured pH.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A medical device for insertion into a body of a patient, the medical device comprising:
 a flexible elongated tubular portion configured and dimensioned for insertion into the body of the patient, the elongated tubular portion having a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distalmost edge and a lumen formed therein;   a marker band, at least a portion of the marker band positioned distally of the distalmost edge of the tubular portion so as to extend distally therefrom, wherein the marker band is exposed from the tubular portion and has an internal diameter larger than an internal diameter of the tubular portion from which it extends; and   a sensor positioned within the marker band, wherein the sensor is positioned distally of the distalmost edge of the tubular portion.   
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 21 , further comprising a cap at the distal end of the marker band to provide a smooth surface. 
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion comprises a hypotube. 
     
     
         24 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion has a first wall thickness and the marker band has a second wall thickness, the second wall thickness of the marker band being less than the first wall thickness of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         25 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the sensor communicates with an indicator outside the body of the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the first wall thickness is between about 0.002 inches and about 0.004 inches and the second wall thickness is between about 0.001 inches and about 0.002 inches. 
     
     
         27 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion has a coil positioned thereover forming a first outer diameter and the marker band has a second outer diameter substantially equal to the first outer diameter. 
     
     
         28 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion has a reduced diameter region having a first outer diameter and the marker band has a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. 
     
     
         29 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the marker band has a window to enable communication of the sensor with the patient. 
     
     
         30 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion has a first reduced diameter region at a distal region, and a radiopaque coil is positioned on the first reduced diameter region. 
     
     
         31 . The medical device of  claim 21 , further comprising a second marker band positioned proximal of the marker band which has the sensor therein. 
     
     
         32 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor has a wire extending through the lumen of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         33 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is contained in a microchip and a wire extends through the lumen of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         34 . The medical device of  claim 24 , wherein the tubular portion has a first reduced diameter region and a second reduced diameter region formed proximal of the first reduced diameter region to support a vascular implant. 
     
     
         35 . The medical device of  claim 21 , further comprising a second sensor to sense a different parameter, the second sensor connected to a second indicator. 
     
     
         36 . The medical device of  claim 35 , wherein the second sensor is positioned within the marker band. 
     
     
         37 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor includes fiber optics transmission. 
     
     
         38 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular portion comprises a hypotube having a martensitic distal region and an austenitic proximal region. 
     
     
         39 . The medical device of  claim 22 , wherein the indicator is configured to be positioned outside the body of the patient. 
     
     
         40 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein the marker band is attached to the tubular portion by a tab-slot arrangement.