1. An elongated catheter, comprising: proximal and distal ends; the elongated catheter having a substantially circular cross-section;
an anchor disposed on the distal end of the elongated catheter configured to establish a secure relationship between the elongated catheter and an anatomical feature;
graduated markings disposed along a length of the catheter; and
outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter, the catheter wall having an approximately 60\xb0 arc-shaped transparent window along a length of the elongated catheter to provide visualization of the graduated markings via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen, wherein a remaining 300\xb0 arc-shaped section of the catheter wall is substantially opaque and formed of a radiation attenuating material to reduce or block radiation from a radiation source disposed within the catheter.
2. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter wall further comprises at least one secondary lumen disposed in the catheter wall and operably coupling the proximal and distal ends of the catheter.
3. The elongated catheter of claim 2, wherein the at least one secondary lumen provides an inflation pathway to deploy the anchor.
4. The elongated catheter of claim 2, wherein the at least one secondary lumen provides a drainage pathway to remove fluid from a body lumen.
5. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the proximal end further comprises an opening for accessing the main lumen, the opening sized for receiving a visualization tool.
6. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises an inflatable chamber.
7. The elongated catheter of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening element, wherein the stiffening element is threaded through a secondary lumen in the catheter wall.
8. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated catheter has a substantially circular cross-section and wherein the substantially circular catheter wall is substantially transparent.
9. The elongated catheter of claim 1, further comprising a source of therapeutic rays disposed within the main lumen of the elongated catheter.
10. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the visualization tool comprises a surgical scope having an illumination source configured to illuminate and visualize the interior of the body lumen.
11. The elongated catheter of claim 1, wherein the graduated markings comprise at least one of: numbers, letters, symbols, or color-coding.
12. The elongated catheter of claim 1 wherein the remaining 300\xb0 arc-shaped section includes pigments that reduce reflectivity.
13. A graduated catheter, comprising:
outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the graduated catheter;
wherein the catheter wall has a substantially circular cross-section including an approximately 60\xb0 arc-shaped transparent window for viewing graduated markings on the catheter relative to the body lumen via a visualization tool positioned in the main lumen and wherein a remaining portion of the substantially circular cross-section of the catheter wall is non-transparent and formed of a radiation attenuating material to reduce or block radiation from a radiation source disposed within the catheter.
14. A method for directly identifying an anatomical feature in a body lumen, the method comprising:
inserting a graduated catheter into a body lumens the graduated catheter comprising outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting the body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter, wherein the elongated catheter has a substantially circular cross-section, and wherein the catheter wall has an approximately 60\xb0 arc-shaped transparent window along a length to provide direct visualization of the body lumen via the main lumen and wherein a remaining portion of the substantially circular cross-section of the catheter wall is non-transparent and formed of a radiation attenuating material to reduce or block radiation from a radiation source disposed within the catheter;
inserting a visualization tool into the main lumen of the graduated catheter to directly view an anatomical feature in the body lumen;
viewing the anatomical feature through the transparent catheter wall using the visualization tool; and
identifying the location of the anatomical feature in the body lumen relative to graduated markings on the graduated catheter.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising converting the location of the anatomical feature into a measurement applicable for insertion of a radiation source for brachytherapy treatment.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising treating the anatomical feature in the body lumen by inserting a radiation source via the main lumen to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising irrigating the outer surface of the catheter to clear fluids to enhance visibility of the body lumen and graduated markings using the visualization tool.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising deploying an anchor coupled to a distal end of the graduated catheter to seat the graduated catheter securely against an anatomical feature.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the anatomical feature is a urethral stricture.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the visualization tool is an endoscope.
21. The method of claim 14, further comprising illuminating the main lumen to enhance visualization of the anatomical feature in the body lumen and the graduated markings.
22. The method of claim 14, wherein inserting further comprises inserting in a predetermined orientation to optimize rotational orientation of the catheter in the body lumen.
23. An elongated catheter, comprising: proximal and distal ends; the elongated catheter having a substantially circular cross-section;
an anchor disposed on the distal end of the elongated catheter configured to establish a secure relationship between the elongated catheter and an anatomical feature;
graduated markings disposed along a length of the catheter; and
outer and inner surfaces defining a catheter wall, wherein the outer surface of the catheter wall is configured for contacting a body lumen and wherein the inner surface of the catheter wall defines a main lumen disposed along a length of the elongated catheter, the catheter wall comprising two or more separate and spaced apart transparent portions and a non-transparent portion, at least a part of the non-transparent portion being formed of a radiation attenuating material to reduce or block radiation from a radiation source disposed within the catheter.
24. The elongated catheter of claim 23, wherein the non-transparent portion comprises two or more separate and spaced apart non-transparent portions such that the two or more separate and spaced apart transparent portions are separated by at least one of the two or more separate and spaced apart non-transparent portions.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An apparatus for positioning a control line adjacent a tubular string, the apparatus comprising:
a control line guide assembly having a guide member configured to guide the control line; and
a clamp handling assembly having a clamp member for securing the control line to the tubular string, wherein the clamp handling assembly is movable toward the tubular string from a staging position to a clamping position to move the clamp member into engagement with the control line for securing the control line to the tubular string.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp handling assembly is movable independently of the guide assembly.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a motive member for moving the clamp handling assembly between the staging position and the clamping position.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide assembly moves along an arc that substantially intersects with a center line of the tubular string.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide assembly is configured to position the control line substantially parallel with the tubular string.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting assembly for connecting the guide assembly to a rig structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clamp handling assembly is attached to the mounting assembly.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp handling assembly is pivotable around a location adjacent the tubular string between the staging position and the clamping position.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control line guide assembly is pivotable around substantially the same location.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp member is releasable from the clamp handling assembly after securing the control line to the tubular string.
11. A method of securing a control line to a tubular string comprising:
providing a clamp handling assembly having a clamp member releasably attached thereto;
positioning the control line adjacent the tubular string;
moving the clamp handling assembly toward the tubular string to position the clamp member adjacent the control line and tubular string;
securing the control line to the tubular string by using the clamp member; and
moving the clamp handling assembly away from the tubular string.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving a control line guide assembly toward the tubular string.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the control line guide assembly includes a guide member configured to guide the control line to a point adjacent the tubular string.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising moving the control line guide assembly away from the tubular string.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the clamp handling assembly and the control line guide assembly are movable independently of each other.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising sensing the position of the control line guide assembly.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising moving the clamp handling assembly in response to the sensed position of the control line guide assembly.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the clamp handling assembly is attached to the control line guide assembly.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the control line guide assembly and the clamp handling assembly are moved toward the tubular string simultaneously.
20. An apparatus for securing a control line to a tubular string, the apparatus comprising:
a clamp handling boom;
a clamp member releasably attached to the clamp handling boom; and
a motive member configured to move the clamp handling boom between a staging position and a clamping position adjacent the tubular string, where the clamp member is detachable from the clamp handling boom for securing the control line to the tubular string.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the clamp handling boom moves to the clamping position when the control line is positioned proximate the tubular string.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the clamp handling boom is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a control line guide assembly having a guide member configured to position the control line proximate the tubular string.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the clamp handling boom is movable independently of the control line guide assembly.
25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the clamp handling boom is movable in a lateral direction and in a vertical direction.
26. An apparatus for positioning a control line adjacent a tubular string, the apparatus comprising:
a control line guide assembly having a guide member configured to guide the control line;
a clamp handling assembly having a clamp member configured to clamp the control line against the tubular string, wherein the clamp handling assembly is movable between a staging position and a clamping position, and wherein the clamp member is releasable from the clamp handling assembly after clamping the control line against the tubular string;
a motive member for moving the clamp handling assembly between the staging position and the clamping position; and
a sensor configured to determine the position of the clamp handling assembly.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising an interlock system for allowing operation of a spider in response to the position of the clamp handling assembly.