Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

One or more acoustic fiber guides are used to carry certain modes of acoustic energy to the tip of a catheter. Using these fibers, reflected sound (Doppler Sound) measurements are made in a blood environment without the risk to the patient associated with the use of an electrical transducer at the distal end of the catheter. Due to the size reduction provided, the Doppler probe is suitable for monitoring the blood flow in the coronary arteries. Using this invention wherein sound is transported to the catheter tip, risk is reduced and the catheter is significantly less expensive, and therefore can be treated as disposable. By the addition of optical fibers tipped with specific dyes and excited by optical energy of appropriate wavelength, the catheter tip system can also be utilized simultaneously as a combined (integral) optical blood gas and pH monitor using optical fluorescence and an acoustic Doppler velocity transducer.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim