Patent ID: 6113590
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A probe disposed at a distal end of a heart catheter for the coagulation of muscle and connective tissues, said probe including a pressure sensor for measuring an axial force effective on the tip of said probe, said probe comprising: a hard, tissue-compatible plastic carrier having an axial bore, a light conductor projecting from said distal catheter end and extending into said bore, a mirror with a reflection surface having reflection properties which do not change with temperature differences with respect to the surrounding area arranged in said bore and having a mirror surface disposed in a plane normal to the axis of said bore and directed toward said light conductor such that a light beam exiting the light conductor and reaching said mirror surface is reflected back into said light conductor, said bore forming between said light conductor and said mirror an open axial space having a non-reflective wall and said probe tip being axially movably disposed relative to said light conductor such that said open axial space is shortened when a pressure is effective on said probe tip and a resilient rubber tube fitted into said bore between said mirror and said light conductor, said rubber tube having an open inner cross-section corresponding to the light conductive cross-section of said light conductor, said rubber tube being axially compressed when said probe tip is subjected to an axial compression force whereby the open inner cross-section of the rubber tube is reduced and the amount of light permitted to pass therethrough and returned into said light conductor is thereby restricted, so that the light energy reflected back into said light conductor depends on the axial pressure force effective on said probe tip.