Multi-functional catheter

Abstract

A catheter suitable for delivering an electric current to the body, in particular a catheter having electrodes that can be positioned independently of the main elongate shaft of the catheter. More particularly the catheters include a movable sleeve that incorporates the electrodes. A movable sleeve includes one or more electrodes and advances in the construction of the electrodes and related components is disclosed. Methods for positioning electrodes at a treatment site in the body for diagnostic or therapeutic applications, particularly electrical pharyngeal stimulation are also disclosed.

1 . A catheter for delivering an electrical stimulus to the body comprising
 i) an elongate shaft;   ii) a sleeve incorporating one or more electrodes, the sleeve being movable along the elongate shaft such that the position of the sleeve is adjustable; and   iii) a means to fix the sleeve to the elongate shaft once the sleeve is in position.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is removable from the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate shaft incorporates at least one therapeutic or diagnostic function. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a position indicator arranged to indicate when the sleeve is correctly positioned on the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the position indicator is a visual indicator on the sleeve and/or elongate shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means to fix the sleeve is a reversible means. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means to fix the sleeve to the elongate shaft comprises a clip means. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the clip means is reversible. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means to fix the sleeve is a compressible seal. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means to fix the sleeve to the elongate shaft is located at the proximal end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means to fix the sleeve forms a seal between the sleeve and elongate shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is dimensioned such that when in position it extends to the outside of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a means for connecting the electrodes to a power supply. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising one or more pressure sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the pressure sensor is for detecting the high pressure zone in the upper oesophagus sphincter of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the pressure sensor is mounted on the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising one or more pH sensors. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the pH sensor is mounted on the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate shaft comprises a feeding tube. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the feeding tube further comprises an enteral feeding connector. 
     
     
         21 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the enteral feeding connector is detachable to permit removal of the sleeve. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate shaft is removable from the body without removal of the sleeve. 
     
     
         23 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is removable from the body without removal of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         24 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongate shaft and/or sleeve are modified to facilitate movement of the sleeve along elongate shaft. 
     
     
         25 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is configured such that when inserted into the body the electrodes are in a suitable position for applying electrical pharyngeal stimulation. 
     
     
         26 . The catheter as claimed in preceding  claim 1  wherein the wall of the sleeve comprises a lumen carrying a conducting element extending along a length of the sleeve. 
     
     
         27 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an electronic chip to store product, patient or treatment information. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the sleeve comprises a connector comprising a reversible means to fix the sleeve. 
     
     
         29 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the connector further comprises a means for connecting the electrodes to a power supply. 
     
     
         30 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 28  wherein the connector is a Y-connector. 
     
     
         31 . The catheter as claimed in preceding  claim 1  wherein the means to fix the sleeve comprises a resiliently deformable material. 
     
     
         32 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the catheter is a pharyngeal stimulation catheter. 
     
     
         33 . The catheter as claimed in  claim 1  for use in delivering an electrical stimulus to the body to assist recovery from dysphagia. 
     
     
         34 . A method of delivering an electrical stimulus to the body using a catheter, comprising sliding a sleeve over an elongate shaft of said catheter, said sleeve comprising one or more electrodes, fixing the sleeve to said elongate shaft once in position and delivering an electrical stimulus through said electrodes. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34  for assisting recovery from dysphagia, wherein said electrical stimulus is capable of inducing pharyngeal stimulation. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 34  wherein the sleeve is removed following delivery of the electrical stimulus.