Millar Catheters are pressure measurement devices which consist of a sensing element, (a patented ultra miniature semi-conductor gauges designed specifically for catheter transducer applications) placed at the distal end of a catheter, at the source of the pressure being measured.

Essential for any study where accurate analyses of pressures and pressure waveforms are required, Mikro-Tip catheters provide signals suitable for storage on high frequency response data acquisition and computer systems. Millar Mikro-Tip Catheters have a wide range of applications in cardiology.

Mikro-Tip catheter pressure sensors have exceptional thermal stability and linearity, with negligible hysteresis. These pressure sensors provide a high signal-to-noise ratio and good resolution of low-level sounds and pressures. Over-pressures of several thousand mmHg will not damage the sensor, and their low mass make them insensitive to acceleration forces and catheter whip.

Mikro-Tip catheters offer many advantages over conventional fluid-filled external transducer systems, with additional benefits specific to different applications. However, benefits common to all types of use are:

1. Higher Frequency Response
   Mikro-Tip catheters provide a frequency response of flat to 10 kilohertz, whereas fluid-filled systems typically have a useful frequency range of 0 to 20 hertz because of their low resonant frequency (25 to 35 Hz).
   
2. No Motion Artefact
   Motion Artefact is an unwanted noise on a pressure signal caused by the movement of the catheter. 
   
3. Position Independence
   By measuring pressure through a sensor placed directly at the source, Mikro-Tip catheters are not affected by external factors. Mikro-Tip catheters provide an exact representation of the physiological pressure changes taking place in the body NOT of the physical characteristics of the measurement system.
   
4. Ease of Use
   With Mikro-Tip catheters a simple three-stage process of monitor zeroing, monitor gain adjustment, and transducer balancing is all this is required.

NEW Mikro-Cath. Single patient use disposable 3.5 French pressure catheter.

By providing a sterile, single-use and affordable catheter, Millar has removed the barriers to Mikro-Tip pressure measurement in cath labs.  The Mikro-Cath catheter effectively eliminates the logistical concerns of re sterilisation. This combination of affordability, reduced procedure time and sterility allows physicians to bring Mikro-Tip accuracy back into routine cath lab procedures.

 

 

Using an appropriately sized guide catheter or introducer, the Cardiologist can integrate the Mikro-Cath into procedures requiring measurements such as:

• Left Ventricular Pressures (LVP)
• Right Ventricular Pressures (RVP)
• Pulmonary Artery Pressures (PAP)
• Mean Arterial Pressures (MAP)
• Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressures (PCWP)
• Valve Gradients

More info on the Mikro-Cath...

 

PCU 2000 Dual Channel Patient Isolated Pressure Control System and TC-510 more info


The PCU-2000 Pressure Control unit is a two-channel, patient-isolated, line-powered amplifier/interface unit for connecting one or two Millar Mikro-Tip catheters to a CE-approved pressure monitor and data acquisition system. Each channel has an electrically isolated input for patient safety. The analogue output signal level of 1V/100 mmHg is compatible with most pressure monitors and data acquisition systems.




The TC-510 Pressure Control Unit is a passive interface between the Millar Mikro-Tip catheter pressure transducer and strain gauge pressure monitors which supply bridge excitation voltage and have balance and calibration controls for full-bridge strain gauge pressure transducers.

• Cardiovascular Mikro-Tip^® Pressure-Volume Catheters more info
  For human use. Pressure-Volume Combination catheters integrate pressure and volume measurements. Pressure is measured with the Millar Mikro-Tip® sensor while volume measurement is achieved through the use of electrodes. Through an impedance technique, these electrodes detect changes in the volume inside of a cavity such as the left ventricle. Pressure and volume (PV loops) can then be measured continuously. Such data may be used to generate pressure-volume loops, calculate intracavity vector-volume, measure conductance, determine segmental conductivity of the blood/fluid, and a host of other parameters. Evaluation of these parameters, in turn, can provide assessment of fundamental mechanical properties such as cardiac performance. A diverse mix of standard models for human and animal use, with or without pigtail, variable sensor and electrode configuration and ranging in size from 1.4 to 7 French, are available as standard catalogue models.

• Cardiovascular Single Sensor Mikro-Tip^® Pressure Transducer Catheters more info
  Approved for Human Use. Single sensor Mikro-Tip^® catheters are ideal for high fidelity pressure measurement when a lumen is not required. These catheters range in size from 2 to 7 French, in length from 65 to 120 cm, and in material (either woven Dacron or polyurethane). The smaller French sizes are suitable for paediatric cardiology or other small vessel access.

• Dual Sensor Mikro-Tip^® Catheters
  
  Approved for Human Use. Mikro-Tip® catheters with two pressure sensors are suitable for high fidelity pressure gradients such as across a valve or between chambers. Dual sensor Mikro-Tip® catheters range in size from 2.5 to 7 French, in length from 120 to 135 cm, and in material (either woven Dacron or polyurethane).
  
  
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Ultra miniature Pressure Catheters

Non clinical research use only. In these ultra miniature models, the catheter body is smaller than the tip sensor to allow flexibility and to minimally obstruct the vessels or valves through which it passes. With sensor tips Ranging in size from 1.4 to 3 French and working lengths from 50 to 140 cm. 

MPVS™ Ultra miniature Single Segment Pressure-Volume Conductance System.

Research use only. The introduction of the first pressure-volume catheter in Millar’s 1.4-2.0 French series revolutionized the possibilities for conductance research in research, allowing ventricular pressure and volume measurement in subjects  as small as 16 grams. The ultra miniature pressure sensor and smaller flexible catheter body minimize obstruction in small vessels and valves. These catheters are available with one pressure sensors and  four platinum electrodes.