INSERTION DEVICE

Abstract

An insertion device (10), by which a medical instrument or an electrode line or a guide wire or a medical therapeutic agent may be inserted into a body cavity, comprises a lumen section (11) manufactured from a flexible plastic material, having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal end area enclosing the distal end, at least one electrically conductive means (20) in the distal end area to sense physiological signals or stimulate the surrounding body tissue suitably, as well as at least one conductor, which extends from the proximal end to the distal end and is capable of conducting physiological signals to the proximal end and/or stimulation pulses to the distal end. The at least one electrically conductive means is produced from a flexible, not exclusively metallic, electrically conductive substrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a and 1b: show the distal end of the insertion device according to the present invention in a preferred embodiment in a top view from the distal end and in a side view;

FIGS. 2 a and 2b: show the distal end of the insertion device according to the present invention in a further preferred embodiment in a top view from the distal end and in a side view;

FIGS. 3 a and 3b: show the distal end of the insertion device according to the present invention in another preferred embodiment in a top view from the distal end and in a side view

FIGS. 4 a and 4b: show the distal end of the insertion device according to the present invention in another especially preferred embodiment in a top view from the distal end and in a side view

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED VERSIONS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a and 1b show a schematic illustration of the distal end of a catheter 10, in which an electrode 20 made of conductive plastic is attached to the distal end of the lumen section 11.

The electrode 20 is connected to the metallic reinforcement braid 12, which is embedded in the lumen section 11. The reinforcement braid 12 is used, in addition to increasing the rigidity of the lumen section 11, as the electrical connection of the electrode 20 to the proximal area of the insertion catheter (not shown), on which a plug connector of arbitrary, known construction is situated. In the area in which the electrode 20 is seated, the external part of the lumen section is removed by abrasion, for example, so that the reinforcement braid 12 is exposed. The electrode 20 is attached to the distal end of the catheter in such a way that there is an electrical connection between braid and electrode. The electrical connection may be produced by melting a prefinished, annular electrode or by “painting” or printing on the electrode made of viscous, conductive plastic (e.g., conductive adhesive). Alternatively, the electrode may also be incorporated directly into the lumen section during its production.

FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2b show the schematic illustration of a further preferred embodiment of the distal end of a catheter 10′, in which two electrodes 20a, 20b made of conductive plastic are attached in a partial circle on the distal end of the lumen section 11′.

Each of the electrodes 20a or 20b is connected to one wire 12a or 12b on the distal end of the catheter 10′. Both wires 12a, 12b are embedded insulated in the material of the lumen section 11′. The wires 12a, 12b are used as the electrical connection of the electrodes 20a, 20b to the proximal area of the insertion catheter (not shown), on which an at least 2-pole plug connector is situated. The wires 12a, 12b may be embedded in a spiral in the lumen section 11′.

FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3b show a schematic illustration of another preferred embodiment of the distal end of a catheter 10″, in which two electrodes 20c, 20b made of conductive plastic are attached to the distal end of the lumen section 11″. Two intended breakpoints 13a and 13b are also shown in this figure, which are provided along the longitudinal axis of the catheter 10″ in the lumen section from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter 10″ and allow the lumen section 11″ to be torn open easily. The intended breakpoints 13a and 13b are designed in such a way that targeted material changes or material diminutions of the lumen section 11″ result in tearing of the wall of the lumen section 11″ at these predefined intended breakpoints 13a and 13b in the event of a shear load along the longitudinal axis of the lumen section. This material change may be performed by perforation, for example. Further embodiments, such as tear wires along the intended breakpoints 13a and 13b , may be provided.

The lumen section 11″ of the catheter 10″ has two lumens, one shown at 14a, which extend along the longitudinal axis of the catheter 10″ from the distal to the proximal end, in each of which a supply line wire is situated, one being shown at 12c. Such a lumen 14a having a supply line wire 12c is indicated in FIG. 3b. The supply line wire 12c ends shortly before or approximately at the distal end of the catheter 10″ and is embedded there by an electrical contact in the electrode 20c. The electrode 20c projects slightly into the lumen 14a on one side to produce the electrical contact to the supply line wire 12c and projects beyond the distal end of the catheter 10″ on the other side. In this way, the electrical contact between electrode 20c or 20d and the surrounding tissue is produced during application of the catheter 10″.

FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4b show a schematic illustration of another especially preferred embodiment of the distal end of a catheter 10′″, in which the wall of the flexible lumen section 11 is constructed from three layers, which extend along the longitudinal axis of the lumen section from the proximal end to the distal end. Two dielectric layers 11a and 11b enclose an electrically conductive layer 12e, which is used as an electrical connection between an electrically conductive means of the previously cited type and a plug connector on the proximal end (not shown). The electrically conductive layer preferably comprises electrically conductive plastic.

The electrically conductive layer 12e may be exposed on the distal end. This exposed end is produced by removing the dielectric layers 11a and 11b over a section on the distal end. This removal may be performed by abrasion, etching, or other suitable methods, for example. Preferably, only the outer of the two dielectric layers 11a may also be removed and an electrically conductive means—as in FIG. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a , or 3b , for example—may be electrically connected. The electrical connection may be performed by melting on a prefinished, annular electrode or by “painting” or printing on an electrode made of viscous, conductive plastic (e.g., conductive adhesive).

Claims

1. An insertion device by which a medical instrument or an electrode line or a guide wire or a medical therapeutic agent may be inserted into a body cavity of a human or animal body, comprising: a. a lumen section formed of a flexible plastic material, having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal end area enclosing the distal end;b. at least one electrically conductive terminal in the distal end area to sense physiological signals or to stimulate the surrounding body tissue, the terminal being formed from a flexible, not exclusively metallic electrically conductive substrate; andc. at least one electrically conductive conductor extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the conductor being capable of conducting physiological signals to the proximal end and/or simulation pulses to the distal end.

2. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrically conductive terminal is located on the distal end of the lumen section.

3. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrically conductive terminal forms the distal end of the lumen section.

4. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrically conductive terminal distally protrudes from the distal end of the lumen section.

5. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive terminal extends in a circumferential direction at least partially around the lumen section.

6. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive terminal and/or the at least one electrically conductive conductor comprises electrically conductive plastic.

7. The insertion device of claim 6 wherein the electrically conductive plastic is a polymer filled with metal or carbon particles.

8. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrically conductive conductor is shaped from a single wire running either: a. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen section, orb. in a spiral around the longitudinal axis of the lumen section.

9. The insertion device of claim 1 wherein the lumen section, including the electrically conductive terminal, may be slit or torn open.

10. An insertion device for insertion of matter into a body cavity, the device including: a. an elongated flexible lumen section having: (1) a proximal end and a distal end,(2) an outer surface extending from the distal end, wherein at least a substantial portion of the outer surface is not electrically conductive;(3) an internal channel extending along the length of the lumen section and opening onto the distal end;b. at least one electrically conductive terminal at or adjacent to the distal end, the terminal being exposed along the outer surface of the lumen section;c. at least one electrically conductive conductor extending from the proximal end to the terminal, wherein the conductor is not exposed along the outer surface of the lumen section.

11. The insertion device of claim 10 wherein at least two electrically conductive conductors extend from the proximal end to the terminal, the conductors being spaced from each other.

12. The insertion device of claim 11 wherein the conductors are helically wound about the longitudinal axis of the lumen section.

13. The insertion device of claim 12 wherein the conductors are defined as a portion of a mesh extending along the length of the lumen section.

14. The insertion device of claim 12 wherein the conductors are defined within metallic braiding extending along the length of the lumen section.

15. The insertion device of claim 11 wherein the terminal defines at least a portion of an annular ring.

16. The insertion device of claim 11 wherein: a. the conductors are electrically isolated from each other along the length of the lumen, andb. at least two of the electrically conductive terminals are situated at or adjacent to the distal end, with each conductor extending to one of the terminals.

17. The insertion device of claim 10 wherein the terminal is formed of at least one of: a. carbon particles, andb. metallic particles,embedded in a polymeric matrix.

18. The insertion device of claim 17 wherein the conductor is formed of at least one of: a. carbon particles, andb. metallic particles,embedded in a polymeric matrix.

19. The insertion device of claim 10 wherein the lumen section includes one or more weakened seams extending from the distal end at which the lumen section may be torn open.

20. An insertion device for insertion of matter into a body cavity, the device including: a. an elongated lumen section extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the lumen section having a nonconductive outer surface;b. one or more conductive terminals at or adjacent to the distal end, the terminals being: (1) exposed along the outer surface of the lumen section, and(2) formed of conductive material embedded within a polymeric matrix;c. one or more conductors extending within the lumen section from the proximal end to the terminals, wherein each conductor is embedded within the lumen section so that it is not conductively exposed along the outer surface of the lumen section.