LOCATING A CATHETER SHEATH END POINT

• US 20130303886A1
• Filed: 05/09/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Israel Ltd. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Meir Bar-Tal
• Inventors: Ludwin, Doron Moshe, Bar-Tal, Meir, Turgeman, Aharon
• Application Number:
  US13/467,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20130303886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00097 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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 5/065 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 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0127 Magnetic means; Magnetic markers

Abstract

Apparatus, including a sheath, consisting of a lumen having a sheath distal end which is configured to be inserted into a human patient. A magnetic structure is fixedly attached to the sheath distal end. The apparatus includes a probe, having a probe distal end which is configured to be inserted through the lumen into the human patient. The probe includes a magnetic transducer which is disposed in the probe distal end and which is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field. The apparatus further includes a processor which is configured to sense a change in the signal due to proximity of the magnetic structure to the transducer.

Claims

1. Apparatus, comprising:

a sheath, comprising a lumen, having a sheath distal end which is configured to be inserted into a human patient;

a magnetic structure fixedly attached to the sheath distal end;

a probe, having a probe distal end which is configured to be inserted through the lumen into the human patient, the probe comprising a magnetic transducer which is disposed in the probe distal end and which is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field; and

a processor which is configured to sense a change in the signal due to proximity of the magnetic structure to the transducer.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic structure comprises a paramagnetic material.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic transducer comprises a coil, and wherein the change in the signal is in response to a change in inductance of the coil.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inductance comprises a self-inductance of the coil.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic field is generated by the coil.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic transducer comprises a further coil, and wherein the inductance comprises a mutual inductance between the coil and the further coil.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic field is generated by the further coil.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, and comprising a force sensor located in the probe distal end and configured to provide an indication of a force on the probe distal end, and wherein the magnetic transducer is an operative component of the force sensor.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, and comprising a position sensor located in the probe distal end and configured to provide an indication of a position of the probe distal end, and wherein the magnetic transducer is an operative component of the position sensor.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to estimate a distance of the probe distal end from the sheath distal end in response to the change in the signal.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic structure comprises a closed conductive coil.

12. A method, comprising:

providing a sheath, comprising a lumen, having a sheath distal end which is configured to be inserted into a human patient;

fixedly attaching a magnetic structure to the sheath distal end;

inserting a probe, having a probe distal end, through the lumen into the human patient, the probe comprising a magnetic transducer which is disposed in the probe distal end and which is configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field; and

sensing a change in the signal due to proximity of the magnetic structure to the transducer.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic structure comprises a paramagnetic material.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic transducer comprises a coil, and wherein the change in the signal is in response to a change in inductance of the coil.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the inductance comprises a self-inductance of the coil.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the magnetic field is generated by the coil.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the magnetic transducer comprises a further coil, and wherein the inductance comprises a mutual inductance between the coil and the further coil.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the magnetic field is generated by the further coil.

19. The method according to claim 12, and comprising locating a force sensor in the probe distal end and configuring the force sensor to provide an indication of a force on the probe distal end, wherein the magnetic transducer is an operative component of the force sensor.

20. The method according to claim 12, and comprising locating a position sensor in the probe distal end and configuring the position sensor to provide an indication of a position of the probe distal end, wherein the magnetic transducer is an operative component of the position sensor.

21. The method according to claim 12, and comprising estimating a distance of the probe distal end from the sheath distal end in response to the change in the signal.

22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the magnetic structure comprises a closed conductive coil.