Medical device positioning system and method

• US 20050103333A1
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US10/990,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20050103333A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.260
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4263 using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0411 with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0008 having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/022 : specifically adapted for the mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09008 : having a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/091 : having a lumen for drug delivery or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 : Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 : Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 : Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 : using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 : Guide wires

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of detectors extends in an array along the insertion path.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of detectors extend in an array at least part way around the insertion path.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of detectors are connected to a computer and wherein the computer determines 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 at least one of detectors of the plurality of detectors.

5. The method of claim 4, further including displaying on a display unit a position of a leading end portion of the medical device during movement of the medical device along the insertion path.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein emitting an output at a leading end portion of the medical device includes emitting an energy selected from the group consisting of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, ultrasonic, light energy, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, further including providing a display unit illustrating a position of a leading end portion of the medical device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device includes determining the position of the leading end portion of the medical device as a function of the relationship of the emitted output detected by one detector of the plurality of detectors to the emitted output detected by another detector of the plurality of detectors.

9. A method of positioning a medical device in a body of a patient, comprising:

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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of emitters extends in an array along the insertion path.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of emitters extend in an array at least part way around the insertion path.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the detector is connected to a computer and wherein the computer determines 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.

13. The method of claim 12, further including displaying on a display unit a position of a leading end portion of the medical device during movement of the medical device along the insertion path.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein emitting an output from the plurality of emitters includes emitting an energy selected from the group consisting of magnetic, radio frequency, ultrasonic, light energy, and combinations thereof.

15. An apparatus for use in a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

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.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of detectors extend in an array at least part way around the insertion path.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a display unit connected to the computer, wherein the display unit displays the position of the leading end portion of the medical device in the body of the patient.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the energy signal is selected from the group consisting of magnetic, electromagnetic, radio frequency, ultrasonic, light energy, and combinations thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a means for steering the medical device along the insertion path.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of expandable elements connected about the leading end portion of the medical device, the expandable element being selectively expandable to direct the medical device along the insertion path.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a fluid control system for selectively expanding the expandable elements.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a mechanical control system for selectively expanding the expandable elements.

23. An apparatus for use in a medical procedure on a patient, comprising:

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.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the plurality of emitters extend in an array at least part way around the insertion path.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a display unit connected to the computer, wherein the display unit displays the position of the leading end portion of the medical device during movement of the medical device along the insertion path.