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US 5,431,696 AGranted
Esophageal probe for transeophageal cardiac stimulation
OwnerJohn L. Atlee, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An esophageal probe for transesophageal cardiac stimulation or monitoring. The probe comprises an elongate member adapted to be positioned within the esophagus of a patient and having a distal end and a proximal end. A second elongate member is slidably mounted on the first and engages at least one electrode carrier for selectively displacing an electrode laterally relative to the elongate member for positioning the electrode at the optimal position for cardiac stimulation and monitoring of the patient.
Claims13
An esophageal probe for transesophageal cardiac stimulation or monitoring, the probe comprising:
- a first elongate member constructed and arranged to be positioned within the esophagus of the patient and having a distal end and a proximal end,
- electrode means;
- a lumen extending through said elongate member and having an exit opening formed therein and adjacent the distal end of said first elongate member,
- elongate positioning means disposed within said lumen for selectively displacing said electrode means laterally relative to said first elongate member for positioning said electrode means at the optimal position for cardiac stimulation or monitoring of the patient,
- said positioning means comprising a flexible second elongate member extending axially through said lumen and through said exit opening and laterally relative to said elongate member, said electrode means being carried by said second elongate member.
2 more elements
An esophageal probe for transesophageal cardiac stimulation or monitoring, the probe comprising:
- a first elongate member constructed and arranged to be positioned within the esophagus of a patient and having a distal end and a proximal end,
- electrode means;
- positioning means for selectively displacing said electrode means laterally relative to said elongate member for positioning said electrode means at the optimal position for cardiac stimulation or monitoring of the patient,
- a lumen extending through said first elongate member and having an exit opening formed therein and adjacent the distal end of said first elongate member, said positioning means comprising a second elongate member extending axially through said lumen and through said exit opening, said electrode means being mounted on said positioning means for movement of said electrode means upon axial movement of said second elongate member,
- the distal end of said second elongate member being fixed adjacent the distal end of the first elongate member and is constructed and arranged to bow outwardly relative to said axis from said distal end to define a bowed section, said electrode means being carried by said bowed section.
2 more elements
An esophageal probe for transesophageal cardiac stimulation or monitoring, the probe comprising:
- a first elongate member constructed and arranged to be positioned within the esophagus of a patient and having a distal end and a proximal end,
- electrode means;
- and
- positioning means for selectively displacing said electrode means laterally relative to said elongate member for positioning said electrode means at the optimal position for cardiac stimulation or monitoring of the patient,
- said positioning means includes a relatively rigid second elongate member telescopingly mounted relative to said first elongate member and an electrode carrier fixed at one end to the distal end of the first elongate member and a second end fixed to said second elongate said member, said electrode means being mounted on said electrode carrier, said electrode carrier being relatively flexible so that axial movement of said second elongate member toward the distal end of said first elongate member will cause said carrier to flex and thereby move the electrode means thereon radially relative to said elongate member, and means for securing said second elongate member against movement relative to said first elongate member.
2 more elements
An esophageal probe for transesophageal cardiac stimulation or monitoring, the probe comprising:
- a first elongate member constructed and arranged to be positioned within the esophagus of a patient and having a distal end and a proximal end,
- electrode means;
- and
- elongate positioning means disposed within the first elongate member for selectively displacing said electrode means laterally relative to said first elongate member for positioning said electrode means at the optimal position for cardiac stimulation or monitoring of the patient,
- said positioning means including resilient means for supporting said electrode means, said positioning means being operative to resiliently bias said electrode means into engagement with the esophageal mucosa for moving the same into closer proximity with the atrium or ventricle of a patient's heart.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.