Removable Navigation System and Method for a Medical Device

• US 20120017923A1
• Filed: 07/26/2010
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical International Holding SARL (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical International Holding SARL (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Sobe, Lior
• Granted Patent: US 10,390,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00053 Mapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A removable navigation system for a medical device configured for insertion within a lumen in a body is provided. The removable navigation system includes a sheath operatively configured to cover at least a portion of the medical device, a positioning sensor affixed to the sheath and a deformable fixation element disposed between the sheath and the medical device. The deformable fixation element is operatively deformed to temporarily fix a position of the medical device relative to the sheath and positioning sensor.

Claims

1. A removable navigation system for a medical device configured for insertion within a lumen in a body, the removable navigation system comprising:

a sheath operatively configured to cover at least a portion of the medical device;

a positioning sensor affixed to the sheath; and

,

a deformable fixation element disposed between the sheath and the medical device, the deformable fixation element operatively deformed to temporarily fix a position of the medical device relative to the sheath and positioning sensor.

2. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the sheath is operatively configured to be separated from the medical device while the system is disposed within the lumen in the body.

3. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 2 wherein the sheath defines perforations.

4. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 2 wherein the sheath defines a portion that is weakened relative to other portions of the sheath.

5. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the portion of the medical device comprises a portion of the distal end of the medical device.

6. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the positioning sensor is disposed around the medical device.

7. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the positioning sensor is an electromagnetic coil.

8. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the sheath is tubular and disposed about the medical device and the positioning sensor is an electromagnetic coil wound within the sheath.

9. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the fixation element comprises an inflatable balloon.

10. The removable navigation as defined in claim 1 wherein the fixation element comprises a shape memory alloy.

11. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 1 wherein the positioning sensor is disposed on a side of the medical device.

12. A navigation method for a medical device within a body, the navigation method comprising the steps of:

inserting the medical device into a sheath having a positioning sensor affixed to the sheath;

deforming a deformable fixation element disposed between the sheath and the medical device to temporarily fix a position of the medical device relative to the sheath and positioning sensor;

guiding the medical device and sheath to a location within a lumen of a body; and

,

monitoring a position of the positioning sensor within the body.

13. The navigation method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of separating the sheath from the medical device while the sheath and medical device are disposed within the body.

14. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 13 wherein the sheath defines perforations.

15. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 13 wherein the sheath defines a portion that is weakened relative to other portions of the sheath.

16. The navigation method as defined in claim 12 wherein the medical device is a catheter.

17. The navigation method as defined in claim 12 wherein the medical device is a guide wire.

18. The navigation method as defined in claim 12 wherein the medical device is a stent.

19. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 12 wherein the sheath is tubular and disposed about the medical device and the positioning sensor is an electromagnetic coil wound within the sheath.

20. The removable navigation system as defined in claim 12 wherein the fixation element comprises an inflatable balloon.

21. The removable navigation as defined in claim 12 wherein the fixation element comprises a shape memory alloy.

22. The removable navigation as defined in claim 12 wherein the fixation element comprises a spring.