System and Method For Integrating Electromagnetic Microsensors in Guidewires

• US 20090326368A1
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Akins, Samuel Joseph, Zaslavsky, Ella
• Granted Patent: US 9,002,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22042 Details of the tip of the guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09091 where a sheath surrounds the coil at the distal part
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09108 Methods for making a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A system and method of integrating electromagnetic microsensors into interventional endovascular devices such as guidewires for tracking guidewires within vessels of a body with the use of a surgical navigation system.

Claims

1. A guidewire assembly comprising:

a substantially flexible flat member having a plurality of projections extending thereform; and

at least one electromagnetic microsensor attached to each of the plurality of projections;

wherein the substantially flexible flat member with the at least one electromagnetic microsensor attached to each of the plurality of projections is wound around a mandrel to form a spring-like flexible tip member.

2. The guidewire assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections extend along one side of the substantially flexible flat member.

3. The guidewire assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of projections extend at an angle from one side of the substantially flexible flat member.

4. The guidewire assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one electrically conductive trace extending from each of the plurality of projections at an electrically conductive feedthrough contact along the length of the substantially flexible flat member for coupling to the at least one electromagnetic microsensor.

5. The guidewire assembly of claim 1, further comprising a strengthening member attached to a proximal end of the spring-like flexible tip member.

6. The guidewire assembly of claim 5, wherein the strengthening member includes a plurality of electrically conductive traces coupled to the electrically conductive traces extending from each of the plurality of projections along the length of the substantially flexible flat member.

7. The guidewire assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electromagnetic microsensor attached to the plurality of projections are positioned in the center of the spring-like flexible tip member.

8. The guidewire assembly of claim 1, further comprising an outer member forming an outer covering around the guidewire.

9. The guidewire assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electromagnetic microsensor is an electromagnetic microcoil with a ferrite core and wire wound around the ferrite core.

10. The guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one electromagnetic microsensor is an extraordinary magneto-resistance (EMR) sensor.

11. A guidewire assembly comprising:

a substantially tubular member having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and

at least one electromagnetic microsensor attached to each of the plurality of projections;

wherein the at least one electromagnetic microsensor attached to each of the plurality of projections are positioned within the tubular member to form a flexible tip member.

12. The guidewire assembly of claim 11, wherein the substantially tubular member includes a plurality of electrical conductor leads extending along the length of the substantially tubular member for connection to the at least one electromagnetic microsensor attached to each of the plurality of projections.

13. The guidewire assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one electromagnetic microsensor includes at least one electrical signal line and an electrical return.

14. The guidewire assembly of claim 11, further comprising an outer member forming an outer covering around the guidewire.

15. A method for making a trackable guidewire assembly comprising:

providing a substantially flexible flat member having a plurality of projections extending therefrom;

attaching at least one electromagnetic microsensor to each of the plurality of projections;

winding the substantially flexible flat member with the electromagnetic microsensors attached thereto around a mandrel to create a flexible tip member; and

attaching a strengthening member to a proximal end of the flexible tip member to create a guidewire assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a protective sleeve or coating around an outside of the flexible tip member.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a protective sleeve or coating around an outside of the guidewire assembly.

18. A method for making a trackable guidewire assembly comprising:

providing a substantially tubular member having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of openings extending therefrom;

attaching at least one electromagnetic microsensor to each of the plurality of projections;

positioning the plurality of projections with the electromagnetic microsensors attached thereto within the substantially tubular member to create a flexible tip member; and

attaching a strengthening member to a proximal end of the flexible tip member to create a guidewire assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a protective sleeve or coating around an outside of the flexible tip member.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a protective sleeve or coating around an outside of the guidewire assembly.