Importance

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Abstract

Catheter for making measurements in a vessel defined by a wall carrying a fluid comprising an elongate flexible tubular member having a plurality of lumens extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. An inflatable balloon is carried by the distal extremity of the tubular member and has the interior of the balloon in communication with one of the lumens in the flexible tubular member. The tubular member has at least one predetermined bend therein adjacent the distal extremity of the tubular member. A transducer is carried by the tubular member in the region of the predetermined bend. Conductors are connected to the transducer and are carried by the tubular member and extends through one of the lumens in the tubular member to the proximal extremity of the tubular member. The tubular member has an opening in the distal extremity distal of the balloon in communication with one of the lumens in the tubular member. The tubular member has another opening proximal of the balloon and is in communication with another lumen. A straightening wire is carried by the tubular member for straightening the predetermined bend when it is extended through the predetermined bend to facilitate insertion of the catheter into the vessel and for permitting the tubular member to assume the predetermined bend within in the vessel when it is retracted so that it does not extend through the predetermined bend so that a portion of the bend engages the wall of the vessel to position the transducer so that radiation emitted thereby passes through the fluid in the vessel.

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First Claim