Three Rivers Cardiovascular Systems Inc.

Hemocath Ltd.

Luc Bilodeau

Eric Caron

Michael Paquette

Michel Paquette

A system () and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire () for use in interventional cardiology, e.g., Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors () for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular blood pressure gradients and flow. A conventional outer coil wire () contains a shaped core wire () having a cross-section defining a channel surface (), e.g. grooves (), extending along its length, to position optical fibers () and optical sensors () in a channel (). Advantageously, the core wire has a diameter that provides sufficient stiffness to the guidewire for use as a support guidewire for TVT, e.g. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), while accommodating multiple sensors and fibers within a guidewire of outside diameter &#x2264;0.89 mm. An optical connector () couples the guidewire to a control system (). Optionally, the guidewire includes a contact force sensor (), a pre-formed tip (--) and a separable micro-connector ().

System and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire for use in interventional cardiology

An apparatus, control system and methods are disclosed for directly measuring a blood pressure gradient, i.e. by real-time pressure measurements, with particular application for in situ measurement of transvalvular blood pressure gradients for the aortic valve and other heart valves, using minimally-invasive techniques. The apparatus takes the form of a multi-sensor assembly, enclosed within a micro-catheter or a steerable guidewire, and comprises a plurality of optical pressure sensors arranged along a length of the distal end portion, for measuring pressure simultaneously at each sensor location. For example, four MOMS optical pressure sensors, and optionally, a temperature and/or flow sensor, are incorporated into a distal end portion having a diameter of 0.89 mm or less, and preferably 0.46 mm or less. Beneficially, all sensors are optically coupled, via respective optical fibers, to an optical coupler at the proximal end of the multi-sensor apparatus, without requiring electrical connections.

Apparatus, system and methods for measuring a blood pressure gradient

An apparatus (), control system () and methods are provided for directly measuring a pressure gradient, i.e. by real-time pressure measurements, with particular application for in situ measurement of transvalvular blood pressure gradients for the aortic valve and other heart valves, using minimally-invasive techniques. The apparatus takes the form of a multi-sensor assembly, e.g. enclosed within a micro-catheter or a steerable guidewire, and comprises a plurality of optical pressure sensors () is arranged along a length of the distal end portion (), for measuring pressure simultaneously at each sensor location. For example, four MOMS optical pressure sensors (), and optionally, a flow sensor (), are incorporated into a distal end portion () having a diameter of 0.89 mm or less, and preferably 0.46 mm or less. Beneficially, all sensors are optically coupled, via respective optical fibers (), to an optical coupler () at the proximal end of the multi-sensor apparatus, without requiring electrical connections.

Growing community of inventors

Verdun, Canada

Luc Bilodeau