Importance

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Abstract

Cardiac output, blood oxygen saturation, and oxygen consumption are measured using only two lumens of a catheter that has no interlumen crossover. Therefore this construction avoids costly techniques for modifying the catheter, as well as leakage risk at crossover points. Cardiac output is measured by thermodilution, and venous blood oxygen by optical scattering measurements through optic fibers; oxygen consumption is then claculable from the cardiac output and venous oxygen saturation--and independently measured arterial saturation. Cold-bolus injection uses on lumen. The thermal-sensor leads (electrical or otherwise) and optic fibers share the other lumen, through which they are drawn together: this method of installation effects yet a further economy by saving an expensive labor step, and tends to prevent the leads and fibers from damaging one another. Addition of a balloon and a separate inflation lumen permits balloon functions as well, now using only three lumens and still without lumenal crossovers--and without risk of balloon deflation due to air leaks associated with the thermal sensors. Adding yet another one or two separate lumens permits provision of a pacing wire or pulmonary-artery pressure measurement, or both, with a respective total of only four or five lumens.

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First Claim