Coronary catheter with radiopaque length markers
OwnerMerwin F. Richardinventor
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Abstract
A coronary catheter is provided having a series of radiopaque length markers applied to the mid-region of the catheter, wherein the mid-region of the catheter lies directly behind the heart when the catheter is in its deployed position prior to coronary angioplasty. The length markers are applied to the mid-region a known distance apart, allowing the length of a coronary occlusion to be directly measured on an x-ray image of the occlusion by simply comparing the length of the occlusion with the known distance between two or more of the radiopaque markers.
Claims3
A coronary catheter for use in treatment of an occluded coronary artery with balloon angioplasty and placement of a stent in said occluded artery, wherein dye is injected through said catheter and x-rays are taken to illuminate said occlusion immediately prior to coronary angioplasty, comprising:
- an elongated catheter having a distal end and a mid-region, said mid-region lying directly behind the heart when said catheter is in its deployed position prior to coronary angioplasty, and
- a plurality of radiopaque length markers applied a known distance apart to said mid-region of said catheter, whereby the length of said coronary occlusion may be directly measured on said x-ray image by comparing the length of said occlusion with the known distance between two or more of said radiopaque markers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.