Catheter with variable magnetic field generator for catheter guidance in a subject

• US 20030176786A1
• Filed: 01/29/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Maschke, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,686,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/435
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/73 Manipulators for magnetic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0127 Magnetic means; Magnetic markers

Abstract

A catheter, particularly an intra-vascular catheter, has at least one magnetic field-generating element arranged in the catheter envelope in the region of the catheter tip, characterized in that the magnetic field of which is variable while the catheter is inserted into a patient.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

a catheter body adapted for insertion in and movement through a living subject, said catheter body having a tip; and

a magnetic field generator disposed at said tip which generates a variable magnetic field while said catheter body is disposed in a living subject.

2. A catheter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said catheter body is adapted for intravascular insertion and movement in said living subject.

6. A catheter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of electromagnets, each having a core and a coil, and each coil having leads conducted through said catheter body and adapted to proceed outside of said living subject, for supplying current to each coil from outside of said living subject.

7. A catheter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said plurality of electromagnets are selectively operable individually and severally.

8. A catheter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said catheter body has a longitudinal axis, and wherein a first electromagnet in said plurality of electromagnets generates a first variable magnetic field substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, and wherein a second electromagnet in said plurality of electromagnets generates a second variable magnetic field substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

9. A catheter as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a permanent magnet disposed at said catheter tip.

10. A catheter as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an ultrasound generating an pick-up device disposed at said catheter tip, and having signal lines connected therethrough that are conducted through said catheter body and which are adapted to proceed to a location outside of said living subject.

3. A catheter as claimed in claim wherein said magnetic field generator comprises an electromagnet having a core and a coil, said coil having leads conducted through said catheter body and adapted to proceed outside of said living subject for supplying current to said coil from outside of said living subject.

4. A catheter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said catheter body has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said electromagnet generates said magnetic field substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

5. A catheter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said catheter body has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said electromagnet generates said magnetic field substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.