Probe Insertion Guide with User-Directing Features

• US 20100019918A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Galil Medical Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Galil Medical Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Pianka, Pazit, Avital, Ofer, Hefetz, Yaron, Kochavi, Eyal, Pansky, Amir
• Application Number:
  US12/226,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20100019918A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.400
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints

Abstract

The present invention relates to a probe-insertion guiding apparatus for guiding a user towards correct insertion of therapeutic probes into a patient. The apparatus comprises a template which comprises a plurality of apertures sized to accommodate therapeutic probes and to guide insertion of such probes into a body, a probe command receiver for receiving probe insertion commands specifying template apertures through which probes are to be inserted, and at least one of a) a sensory output device operable to indicate to a user which aperture is to receive a next inserted probe, and b) a probe detection device operable to detect insertion of a probe into an aperture. Preferred embodiments include feedback modules providing feedback to a user indicating whether the user'"'"'s probe did or did not correspond to a probe insertion specified by a received probe insertion command.

Claims

1. A probe-insertion guiding apparatus comprising:

(a) a template which comprises a plurality of apertures sized and shaped to accommodate therapeutic probes inserted therethrough;

(b) a command receiver operable to receive a command specifying a template aperture through which a probe is to be inserted; and

(c) at least one of group consisting of;

(i) a first output device operable to output a signal serving to indicate which template aperture is specified by said received command; and

(ii) a probe detection module operable to detect when and where a probe is inserted in one of said plurality of apertures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising said first output device, and wherein said output signal is sensory signal perceivable by a user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising said first output device, and wherein said output signal is an electronic signal operable to control a servomechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said electronically generated signal is a digital signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said electronic signal is an analog signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said electronic signal is communicated by a means selected from a group consisting of wired communication, wireless radio communication, optical communication, and infra-red communication.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising both said first output device and said probe detection module.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a feedback mechanism operable to inform a user whether or not a probe inserted by said user has been inserted in an aperture specified by a received command.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising said first output device, and wherein said output device comprises at least one of a group consisting of:

(a) a lighting device operable to highlight a selected aperture;

(b) a pair of lighting devices operable to specify a selected aperture by highlighting a specific row of apertures and a specific column of apertures;

(c) a pair of light beams operable to highlight a portion of a probe positioned near or within a selected aperture;

(d) a LED highlighting module operable to indicate a selected aperture by illuminating selected LEDs, thereby creating a visual pattern which comprises two illuminated lines intersecting at said selected aperture;

(e) an auditory output device operable to emit a characteristic sound when a probe approaches a selected aperture;

(f) a voice output device operable to verbally identify a selected aperture; and

(g) an image output device operable to present to a user an image of said template on which an image of a selected aperture is highlighted.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a lighting device operable to use colored illumination to highlight a selected aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising said probe detection device, and wherein said probe detection device comprises at least one of a group consisting of:

(a) a magnetic detector;

(b) a microswitch;

(c) a current detector operable to detect a current in a circuit completed by passage of a probe body between electrical contacts;

(d) a voltage detector operable to detect a voltage in a circuit completed by passage of a probe body between electrical contacts; and

(e) an image-interpretation detector which comprises

(i) a camera operable create a real-time image of said template; and

(ii) image interpretation software operable to detect presence of a probe in or near a selected aperture by algorithmic interpretation of a real-time template image created by said camera.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a feedback module which comprises a second output device and a controller operable to receive input from said probe detection device and to command said second output device to output a pre-defined first signal when said probe detection device reports insertion of a probe in an aperture specified by said received command.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first output device and said second output device are a common output device.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a feedback module which comprises a second output device and a controller operable to receive input from said probe detection device and to command said second output device to output a pre-defined second signal when said probe detection device reports insertion of a probe in an aperture different from that specified by said received command.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said controller is further operable to command said second output device to output a pre-defined second signal when said probe detection device reports insertion of a probe in an aperture different from that specified by said received command.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said second output device comprises one or more of a group consisting of:

(a) a generator of light;

(b) a generator of sound;

(c) a voice generator;

(d) an image display;

(e) an electronic signal generator operable to generate a signal detectable by a remote electronic receiver; and

(f) a control-signal generator operable to generate a signal directed to a remote controller operable to control activation of an inserted probe.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one depth detector operable to detect depth of insertion of a probe within an aperture.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said depth detector is an optical reader operable to count markings on an inserted probe as said probe is inserted in an aperture.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further operable to provide feedback to a user, which feedback provides information relating actual inserted depth of said inserted probe to a probe depth command received by said command receiver.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reusable frame to which said template is attachable, said frame and said template being so shaped and so positioned when said template is attached to said frame that a probe may traverse said apertures of said template while said template is attached to said frame.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said frame comprises at least one electrical component.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said template is designed for one-time use.

23. A method of guiding probe insertion by a user, comprising:

(a) indicating a next probe location to a user;

(b) detecting an indication that a probe was inserted into the location.