Patent ID: 6689089
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A therapeutic catheter having a distal end section that can be inserted into a patient vessel, a proximal end section, and defining a fluid channel having a fluid for gaseous or liquid flow under pressure, the fluid channel comprising a supply channel extending at least from the proximal end section to the distal end section, and a return channel extending from the distal end section to the proximal end section, wherein the improvement comprises:the distal end section of the fluid channel having a nozzle portion for treating the patient vessel, an external surface, an internal surface, and an opening defining a lumen between the external surface and the internal surface, the nozzle portion proximate the opening and in fluid communication with the supply and return channels, such that a fluid jet formed by the nozzle portion can fragment vascular material; at least one sensor for measuring values, the sensor connected to the proximal end section of the fluid channel and generating a signal as a function of external parameters effecting the fluid proximate the distal end section of the catheter, the sensor selected from the group consisting of sound and pressure sensors for sensing the sound or pressure generated in the fluid at the distal end section of the catheter; and an acoustical signal generator coupled to the sensor for converting the measured values into audible signals.