Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A catheter apparatus having a sensor, which is insertable into a body cavity for detecting information receivable at a wall of the body cavity or transmitted therethrough, comprising: a rigid sheath which is to be inserted into said body cavity; a first window provided on a side of a front end portion of the sheath to enable a sensor to move in or out therethrough, and a second window provided on a side opposite to said first window for a balloon to be inflated out therethrough; a sensor positioned within said first window and movable in or out therethrough in a radial direction of said sheath; and a balloon means comprising a rigid probe and a balloon mounted thereon, the balloon being inflated or deflated by adjustment of a fluid pressure provided therein, whereby said balloon means is inserted into said sheath and said balloon during use is biased to the wall of said body cavity through said second window when said balloon is inflated, said sensor being thereby positively brought into close contact with the wall of said body cavity through said first window by a reaction force exerted on said sensor by said inflated balloon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A catheter apparatus having a sensor, which is insertable into a body cavity for detecting information receivable at a wall of the body cavity or transmitted therethrough, comprising: a rigid sheath which is to be inserted into said body cavity; a first window provided on a side of a front end portion of the sheath to enable a sensor to move in or out therethrough, and a second window provided on a side opposite to said first window for a balloon to be inflated out therethrough; a sensor positioned within said first window and movable in or out therethrough in a radial direction of said sheath; and a balloon means comprising a rigid probe and a balloon mounted thereon, the balloon being inflated or deflated by adjustment of a fluid pressure provided therein, whereby said balloon means is inserted into said sheath and said balloon during use is biased to the wall of said body cavity through said second window when said balloon is inflated, said sensor being thereby positively brought into close contact with the wall of said body cavity through said first window by a reaction force exerted on said sensor by said inflated balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said sensor is adapted to detect at least one of a temperature of adjacent body tissue, a quantity of laser light and a level of ultrasonic energy transmitted to body tissue being treated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the probe has a hollow body which is closed at a front end and is formed with a communicating hole in a wall of a front end portion, the balloon being formed and disposed so as to surround the communicating hole, the balloon being inflated by pressurized fluid supplied through the communicating hole via the inside of the hollow body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the probe is longer than the sheath and is removably disposed within the sheath, the probe being secured to the sheath at a base end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the sheath is formed with an outer surface provided with graduations which are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the sheath for indicating a degree of insertion of the sheath into the body cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The catheter apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the sheath is provided on an outer surface thereof with a stop shaped as a collar, said stop being movable in a longitudinal direction of the sheath and is provided with means for securing the stop to the sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter apparatus for detecting information as defined in claim 1, wherein: the sensor comprises a sensor holder and sensor terminals, the sensor holder being provided on an outer surface with a plurality of protuberances, the sensor terminals being located on the protuberances.