Patent ID: 8177748
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A system for detecting needle penetration depth comprising: a fluid delivery catheter; a needle sheath attached to the fluid delivery catheter: a needle, at least a portion of the needle movably positioned within the needle sheath, with a first end and a second end having an opening adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the needle coupled with the fluid delivery catheter: a balloon coupled with the fluid delivery catheter and the needle sheath, the needle sheath positioned along and contacting an outer surface of an expandable wall forming a proximal end of the balloon, the needle sheath having an open terminating end positioned at the outer surface of the expandable wall forming the proximal end of the balloon such that the needle sheath does not contact a portion of the balloon distal to the proximal end and upon inflation of the balloon, the expandable wall of the balloon will expand to contact a region of the needle sheath adjacent the open end and deflect the region of the needle sheath and the needle along the expandable wall of the balloon and direct a tip of the needle toward a tissue to be penetrated such that, once the balloon is inflated, advancement of the needle in a distal direction from the needle sheath will penetrate the tissue; and a sensor coupled with a portion of the needle to detect a contact pressure of tissue on the sensor as the needle penetrates tissue, the sensor located a predetermined distance from the first end of the needle, wherein the predetermined distance is approximately equal to a desired penetration depth of the needle into the tissue.