Catheter Having Improved Traceability

• US 20110224649A1
• Filed: 03/15/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jamous, Aram, Duane, Verona, Ward, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 8,206,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/60 with identification means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6054 Magnetic identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0097 characterised by the hub connectors A61M39/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3293 characterised by features of the needle hub
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Embodiments hereof relate to a catheter having a metal hypotube proximal shaft and a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit electrically connected to the metal hypotube such that the metal hypotube operates as an antenna for transmitting and receiving modulated RF signals between the RFID integrated circuit and an external receiver configured to read the electronic identification information carried by the RFID integrated circuit. The hypotube and RFID integrated circuit are embedded in a luer hub of the catheter. The RFID integrated circuit contains electronic identification information such as model/serial number, manufacturing information and other summary information for improving traceability of the catheter and removing paper work associated with product tracking.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an elongate catheter shaft having a proximal metal hypotube;

a luer hub positioned over at least a portion of the metal hypotube; and

a RFID integrated circuit embedded within the luer hub and electrically connected to the metal hypotube such that the metal hypotube operates as an antenna to transmit and receive modulated RF signals between the RFID integrated circuit and an external receiver configured to read electronic information carried by the RFID integrated circuit.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the hub is overmolded onto the at least a portion of the metal hypotube and includes a hub body having a lumen extending therethrough that is fluidly connected to a lumen of the elongate catheter shaft.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the electronic information carried by the RFID integrated circuit is selected from the group consisting of product name, serial number, product part number, manufacturing information, lot history, length of the catheter, outer diameter of the catheter, devices currently compatible with the catheter, product recall information, warning information, or instructions for use.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the metal hypotube is operable to receive RF energy from the external reader to permit external powering of the RFID integrated circuit.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the metal hypotube is made of stainless steel 304.

6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the RFID integrated circuit is electrically connected to the metal hypotube via two interconnections.

7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the interconnections are made by laserwelding the RFID integrated circuit to the metal hypotube.

8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the hypotube includes a helical cut formed therein.

9. A method of manufacturing a catheter comprising the steps of:

electrically connecting a RFID integrated circuit and a proximal metal hypotube of the catheter such that the hypotube operates as an antenna to transmit and receive modulated RF signals between the RFID integrated circuit and an external receiver configured to read electronic information carried by the RFID integrated circuit; and

overmolding a luer hub over at least a portion of the metal hypotube to embed the RFID integrated circuit within the luer hub.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

positioning a cover over the RFID integrated circuit prior to the step of overmolding the luer hub in order to protect the RFID integrated circuit from damage.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the overmolded hub includes a hub body having a lumen extending therethrough that is fluidly connected to a lumen of the elongate catheter shaft.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the metal hypotube is operable to receive RF energy from the external reader to permit external powering of the RFID integrated circuit.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the metal hypotube is made of stainless steel 304.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of electrically connecting the RFID integrated circuit and the hypotube includes laserwelding two interconnections between the RFID integrated circuit and the hypotube.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the hypotube includes a helical cut formed therein.

16. A method of tracking a catheter, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a low-power radio signal to a RFID integrated circuit embedded within a luer hub of the catheter, wherein the catheter has a proximal metal hypotube that is electrically connected to the RFID integrated circuit such that the hypotube operates as an antenna to transmit and receive modulated RF signals between the RFID integrated circuit and an external receiver configured to read electronic information carried by the RFID integrated circuit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of transmitting a low-power radio signal is performed with a hand-held external reader operable to read and power the RFID integrated circuit.