Abstract: An electrical connector (70) for use in connecting an ultrasonic transducer (16) to a coaxial cable (88) running through a catheter (10). The transducer is normally disposed at a distal end of the catheter and is removably attached to and supported by the electrical connector. The connector includes a plastic collar (72), and a pair of cylindrical, flexible conductive ring clips (74 and 76). Enlarged rims (82) on the ring clips are molded into the connector in coaxial alignment, and the ring clips are spaced apart from each other by a distance that corresponds to the thickness of the cylindrical transducer, but are slightly closer together at their projecting ends. Each ring clip include a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart slots (84) to define a plurality of fingers (86), adding flexibility to the ring clips. One of the ring clips is electrically connected to a grounding shield of the coaxial cable and the other is electrically connected to an internal conductor of the cable.

Abstract: A catheter (10) is disclosed having a stepped coaxial construction formed by and internal tube (12) and an external tube (14). The internal tube includes a distal pressure lumen (26), a balloon inflation lumen (28), and a sensor lumen (30). The external tube includes the first proximal pressure lumen (48), second proximal pressure lumen (50), injection lumen (52), and transducer lead lumen (54). A cylindrical transducer (16), sensor (18), and balloon (42) are supported on the internal and external tubes, which allow the transducer to be coaxially mounted thereon. The catheter has a high lumen count, large lumen cross-sectional area, is easy to construct and use, and allows cardiac output to be measured continuously without sacrificing other currently available catheter functions.

Abstract: A catheter (10) is disclosed having a stepped coaxial construction formed by an internal tube (12) and an external tube (14). The internal tube includes a distal pressure lumen (26), a balloon inflation lumen (28), and a sensor lumen (30. The external tube includes the first proximal pressure lumen (48), second proximal pressure lumen (50), injection lumen (52), and transducer lead lumen (54). A cylindrical transducer (16), sensor (18), and balloon (42) are supported on the internal and external tubes, which allow the transducer to be coaxially mounted thereon. The catheter has a high lumen count, large lumen cross-sectional area, is easy to construct and use, and allows cardiac output to be measured continuously, without sacrificing other currently available catheter functions.