Medical device positioning system and method
First Claim
1. A method of positioning a medical device in a body of a patient, comprising:
- positioning a plurality of detectors in an array adjacent to an outer surface of a portion of the body of the patient;
moving the medical device along an insertion path in the body of the patient;
emitting an output at a leading end portion of the medical device as the medical device moves along the insertion path;
detecting the emitted output at the leading end portion of the medical device with the detectors of the plurality of detectors; and
determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device along the insertion path as a function of the relationship of the emitted output detected by the detectors.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tracheal tube positioning apparatus is located relative to a patient'"'"'s trachea by engaging the patient'"'"'s Adam'"'"'s apple. Indicia on relatively movable sections of the positioning apparatus provides an indication of the distance between the patient'"'"'s mouth and the patient'"'"'s larynx. A flexible guide rod is moved through a distance corresponding to the distance between the patient'"'"'s mouth and larynx, as determined by the positioning apparatus. A magnet is utilized to attract a leading end portion of the guide rod. A plurality of emitters may be disposed in an array around the patient'"'"'s Adam'"'"'s apple. Outputs from the emitters are detected by a detector connected with the guide rod and by a detector connected with the tracheal tube. Alternatively, a plurality of detectors may be disposed in an array around the patient'"'"'s Adam'"'"'s apple to detect the output from an emitter connected with the guide rod and by an emitter connected with the tracheal tube. Expandable elements may be connected with the guide rod and/or tracheal tube to steer movement along an insertion path.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of positioning a medical device in a body of a patient, comprising:
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positioning a plurality of detectors in an array adjacent to an outer surface of a portion of the body of the patient;
moving the medical device along an insertion path in the body of the patient;
emitting an output at a leading end portion of the medical device as the medical device moves along the insertion path;
detecting the emitted output at the leading end portion of the medical device with the detectors of the plurality of detectors; and
determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device along the insertion path as a function of the relationship of the emitted output detected by the detectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of positioning a medical device in a body of a patient, comprising:
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positioning a plurality of emitters in an array adjacent to an outer surface of a portion of the body of the patient;
moving the medical device along an insertion path in the body of the patient, the medical device including a detector at a leading end portion;
emitting an output from the plurality of emitters as the medical device moves along the insertion path;
detecting the emitted output with the detector at the leading end portion of the medical device; and
determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device along the insertion path as a function of the relationship of the emitted output detected by the detector. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for use in a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:
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a medical device moveable along an insertion path into a body of the patient;
an emitter attached to a leading end portion of the medical device, the emitter providing an energy signal;
a plurality of detectors positionable on an outer surface of the body of the patient along the insertion path; and
a computer connected to the plurality of detectors, the computer determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device along the insertion path as a function of the relationship of the energy signal detected by the detectors. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for use in a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:
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a medical device moveable along an insertion path into a body of the patient;
a plurality of emitters positionable on an outer surface of the body of the patient along the insertion path, each of the emitters providing an energy signal;
a detector attached to a leading end portion of the medical device, the detector configured to receive the energy signal from the emitters; and
a computer connected to the detector, the computer determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device along the insertion path as a function of the relationship of the energy signals detected by the detector. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification