초록 ▼

An apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid-filled device used to treat a patient's tissue includes an catheter having an expandable device defining a fluid reservoir about the distal end of the catheter. An internal electrode is in electrical contact with a conductive fluid within the fluid reservo

An apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid-filled device used to treat a patient's tissue includes an catheter having an expandable device defining a fluid reservoir about the distal end of the catheter. An internal electrode is in electrical contact with a conductive fluid within the fluid reservoir. A grounding electrode is outside of the fluid reservoir, in electrical contact with the patient's tissue. Voltage is supplied to the internal electrode and the grounding electrode. Where a leak occurs in the expandable device, conductive fluid will contact the patient's tissue, thus creating an electrical current path between the internal electrode and the grounding electrode. This so-called "leak current" is used to generate a leak alarm signal.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for detecting fluid leaks in a liquid-filled expandable device used to treat body tissue, the apparatus comprising:an expandable device defining a liquid reservoir therein for holding a conductive liquid;a supply conduit in fluid communication with the liquid

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for detecting fluid leaks in a liquid-filled expandable device used to treat body tissue, the apparatus comprising:an expandable device defining a liquid reservoir therein for holding a conductive liquid;a supply conduit in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir for delivering the conductive liquid into the liquid reservoir;a first, internal electrode lead in electrical contact with the liquid reservoir;a second, grounding electrode lead positioned outside the expandable device;a power supply for generating a voltage between the first electrode and the grounding electrode; anda detector for detecting variations in the electrical current passing between the first internal electrode and the second grounding electrode.