US3722505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orientable electromagnetic catheter probe and method
Assignee: University of California Berkeley
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Filing: 1970-07-02
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An orientable electromagnetic catheter type flow meter and method are provided, which flow meter may be introduced, for example, into a blood vessel to measure the blood flow in the blood vessel, and which is constructed to have a minimal diameter so that it may be introduced percutaneously, for example, into a branch of a larger blood vessel with minimum damage. One embodiment of the flow meter of the invention to be described includes a thin resilient probe having an angulated end portion so as to place its pick-up electrodes adjacent the inner surface of the wall of the blood vessel diagonally or diametrically across the blood vessel from one another. The aforesaid flow meter in one embodiment is constructed so that its probe may be easily turned while in the blood vessel to different orientations with respect to an external magnetic field, in order first to establish a proper base line, and then to establish optimal orientation for flow sensing. In another embodiment the external field is turned, and in yet another embodiment the animal or human subject is turned together with the flow probe relative to the external magnetic field.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kolin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6855; A61B5/02; A61B5/026; A61B5/0265; A61B5/027; A61B5/6856; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0127; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/56; G01F1/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of measuring fluid flow by an electromagnetic catheter type flow meter which comprises an elongated probe member, said method comprising: inserting said probe member into a fluid-carrying conduit; creating a magnetic field within said conduit; first positioning the relative angular orientation of said probe member and said magnetic field to a minimal flow sensing position with respect to fluid flow in said conduit so as to obtain a reference base level; and subsequently positioning the relative angular orientation of said probe member and said magnetic field to an appreciable flow-sensing position with respect to such fluid flow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of measuring fluid flow by an electromagnetic catheter type flow meter which comprises an elongated probe member, said method comprising: inserting said probe member into a fluid-carrying conduit; creating a magnetic field within said conduit; first positioning the relative angular orientation of said probe member and said magnetic field to a minimal flow sensing position with respect to fluid flow in said conduit so as to obtain a reference base level; and subsequently positioning the relative angular orientation of said probe member and said magnetic field to an appreciable flow-sensing position with respect to such fluid flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 1, in which said first and subsequent positioning steps comprise orienting said probe to first and second angular positions with respect to said magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method defined in claim 2, in which said probe is inserted into said conduit in an outer tubular catheter member, and in which said probe and catheter are turned together to establish said probe in said first and second angular positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method defined in claim 3, in which said conduit comprises a blood vessel in a patient and in which said first and subsequent positioning steps comprise rotating the patient and said tubular catheter and probe inside said catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method defined in claim 1, in which said first and subsequent positioning steps comprise orienting said magnetic field with respect to said probe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 1, in which said first and subsequent positioning steps comprise orienting said conduit and probe together with respect to said magnetic field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
Probe means for use in flow meter comprising: a catheter insertable into a blood vessel, an elongate resilient probe having at least one bend near the distal end thereof and slideably inserted through said catheter and adapted to extend beyond the distal end of said catheter to a position in which the bend emerges from the distal end of the catheter and resides in the blood vessel, said bend being resilient so that said probe may be straightened sufficiently for insertion through the catheter and may resume its bent configuration upon emerging from said catheter, sensing means on said probe between said bend and said end of said probe, said probe including electrical conductive means connected to said sensing means, and means for mechanically coupling said probe to said catheter adjacent said bend, whereby said probe may be rotated by rotating said catheter about the catheter axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
Probe means for use in flow meter comprising: a catheter insertable into a blood vessel, an elongate resilient probe having at least one bend near the distal end thereof and slideably inserted through said catheter and adapted to extend beyond the distal end of said catheter to a position in which the bend emerges from the distal end of the catheter and resides in the blood vessel, said bend being resilient so that said probe may be straightened sufficiently for insertion through the catheter and may resume its bent configuration upon emerging from said catheter, sensing means on said probe between said bend and said end of said probe, said probe including electrical conductive means connected to said sensing means, and means for mechanically coupling said probe to said catheter adjacent said bend, whereby said probe may be rotated by rotating said catheter about the catheter axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
Probe means in accordance with claim 7 wherein said coupling means comprises: a notch, formed in said end of said catheter, in which the bent end of said probe resides, to mechanically couple said probe and said catheter upon rotation of said catheter about the catheter axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Probe means in accordance with claim 8 wherein said catheter end is slanted with respect to the axis of said catheter, and said notch is located at the portion of the slant remote from the distal end of the catheter, thereby facilitating engagement of the said bent end of said probe with said notch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
Probe means in accordance with claim 7 wherein said electrical conductive means comprises said probe formed of a pair of generally parallel electric wires and said sensing means comprises a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the respective ends of said wires and spaced from one another on said bent end of said probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
Probe means in accordance with claim 7 wherein the distal end of said probe is in the form of a loop, thereby to minimize abrasion of the blood vessel as said probe means is rotated therewithin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |