The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 07, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2001
Arthur W. Zikorus, San Jose, CA (US);
Ralph G. Depalma, Walnut Creek, CA (US);
Christopher S. Jones, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Brian E. Farley, Los Altos, CA (US);
James G. Chandler, Boulder, CO (US);
Arthur W. Zikorus, San Jose, CA (US);
Ralph G. DePalma, Walnut Creek, CA (US);
Christopher S. Jones, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Brian E. Farley, Los Altos, CA (US);
James G. Chandler, Boulder, CO (US);
Tyco Healthcare Group, LP, Mansfield, MA (US);
Abstract
An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation. The position of the catheter can also be determined based on measured parameters such as temperature or flow rate within the structure, and the measured changes in one or more of these parameters as the catheter nears the junction. The hollow anatomical structure can be compressed for this procedure. The position of the catheter can also be determined mechanically by including a hook-shaped tip on the catheter or guide wire which would physically engage the junction.