Patent ID: 9149230
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A61B,G01F,G01K,G01P,G16H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring an intravascular blood pressure gradient, including a transvalvular blood pressure gradient for a heart valve, comprising: a multi-sensor assembly contained within a tubular covering layer; the tubular covering layer comprising a micro-catheter or a coil of a steerable guidewire, having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a flexible distal tip; the multi-sensor assembly comprising: an optical fiber bundle comprising a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of optical sensors, each optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, each individual one of the plurality of optical sensors being attached and optically coupled to the distal end of a respective individual one of the plurality of optical fibers; distal ends of the plurality of optical fibers being arranged to form a sensor arrangement wherein said plurality of optical sensors have sensor locations spaced apart lengthwise from each other; the multi-sensor assembly extending within the tubular covering layer from the proximal end into a distal end portion adjacent the distal end; the sensor arrangement, comprising said plurality of optical sensors, being located within the distal end portion for measuring pressure at respective sensor locations spaced apart along a length of 4 cm to 7 cm of the distal end portion of the tubular covering layer; the proximal end of each one of the plurality of optical fibers being optically coupled to an optical input/output end, for connection to a control system, said sensor arrangement providing for a measurement of pressure at each sensor location for determination by the control system of a blood pressure gradient; an aperture in the covering layer adjacent each optical sensor for fluid contact; at least one marker for locating the sensor arrangement; and at least the distal end portion of the covering layer having an outer diameter suitable for introduction intravascularly or intraluminally through a micro-catheter into the heart.