Patent ID: 6259938
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A monitoring catheter comprising:(a) a body member;(b) a first electrode disposed on a first portion of the body member, the first electrode having a first lead coupled thereto, the first lead extending from the first electrode to a proximal end of the body member;(c) a second electrode disposed on a second portion of the body member, the second electrode having a second lead coupled thereto, the second lead extending from the second electrode to the proximal end of the body member, the first electrode and the second electrode being sized, configured, and spaced from one another so as to maximize detection of diaphragm muscle activity while minimizing noise; and(d) an attaching mechanism that releaseably secures the body member to a second catheter, wherein the attaching mechanism includes:(1) a guide line having a first portion coupled to a portion of the body member, and(2) a securing member provided at a second portion of the guide line, the securing member and a distal end portion of the body member being configured such that the securing member selectively attaches to the distal end portion of the body member, thereby capturing a second catheter via a guide loop defined by the guide line, wherein the securing member is one of: (i) a locking loop provided at the second portion of the guide line, the locking loop being sized such that the locking loop selectively slips over a portion of the distal end portion of the body member, and (ii) a cup provided at the second portion of the guide line, the cup being sized and configured such that the cup selectively attaches to the distal end portion of the body member so as to capture a second catheter via the guide line.