Connector Interface For ECG-Based Catheter Positioning System

• US 20160374589A1
• Filed: 06/24/2016
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Davis, Zachary S., Misener, Anthony K., Stats, Jason R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,349,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence

Abstract

A connector interface configured to enable component interconnection with a location sensor of a catheter placement system is disclosed. The catheter placement system is configured to assist a clinician in positioning a catheter in a desired location within a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the location sensor assembly comprises a location sensor body for temporary placement on a portion of the patient body, and a connector interface. The connector interface is configured to removably attach to the location sensor and provide a plurality of electrically conductive pathways between the location sensor and additional components of the catheter placement system to enable the additional components to operably connect with the location sensor. The connector interface further includes a first connector configured to operably connect with a second connector of one of the additional components of the catheter placement system through a drape interposed between the first and second connectors.

Claims

1. A location sensor for use with a catheter placement system, the catheter placement system for positioning a catheter in a desired location within a body of a patient, the location sensor assembly comprising:

a location sensor body for temporary placement on a portion of the patient body; and

a connector interface configured to removably attach to the location sensor, the connector interface configured to provide a plurality of electrically conductive pathways between the location sensor and additional components of the catheter placement system to enable the additional components to operably connect with the location sensor, the connector interface further including a first connector configured to operably connect with a second connector of at least one of the additional components of the catheter placement system through a drape interposed between the first connector and the second connector.

2. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the additional components include at least one of an ECG stylet configured to be removably disposed within a lumen of the catheter, an ECG external electrode, and a console of the catheter placement system.

3. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a receptacle disposed on the connector interface that is configured to receive the second connector included with the ECG stylet.

4. The location sensor as defined in claim 3, wherein the second connector of the ECG stylet is a male pin connector.

5. The location sensor as defined in claim 4, wherein the receptacle of the first connector is disposed on a fin portion of the connector interface.

6. The location sensor as defined in claim 5, wherein the location sensor includes at least one sensor configured to detect a magnetic element included with the ECG stylet to assist in placing the catheter within the body of the patient.

7. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the connector interface is removably received within a pocket defined on the location sensor body.

8. The location sensor as defined in claim 7, wherein the connector interface is disposed in the pocket via a friction fit.

9. The location sensor as defined in claim 8, wherein a plurality of electrical connections are defined between the connector interface and the location sensor, the electrical connections providing the friction fit of the connector interface within the pocket of the location sensor.

10. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the drape is configured to provide a sterile barrier and wherein the first and second connectors are configured to removably connect with one another through the drape without compromising the sterile barrier of the drape.

11. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the location sensor is temporarily disposed on a chest portion of the patient.

12. The location as defined in claim 1, wherein during use of the catheter placement system, the location sensor is disposed on a chest portion of the patient, the connector interface is removably attached to a pocket defined in the location sensor, and an ECG stylet is operably connected to the location sensor via the connector interface.

13. The location sensor as defined in claim 12, wherein the console is operably connected to the location sensor via the connector interface and wherein a plurality of external ECG electrodes are operably connected to the location sensor via the connector interface.

14. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the connector interface includes a cable permanently attached thereto.

15. The location sensor as defined in claim 14, wherein the cable includes a USB cable that operably connects the location sensor to a console of the catheter placement system.

16. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the connector interface is a replaceable component and is configured for use in multiple procedures to position catheters.

17. The location sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein an ECG stylet and at least one external ECG electrode are disposable and are configured to operably connect to the connector interface.

18. The location sensor as defined in claim 17, wherein electrical contacts for the ECG stylet and the at least one external ECG electrode are disposed on a male connector plug of the connector interface, the male connector plug configured to operably connect with a receptacle disposed in the pocket of the location sensor when the connector interface operably connects with the location sensor.

19. A catheter placement system for placing a catheter in a body of a patient, comprising:

a system console;

a location sensor operably connected to the system console via a console cable and configured for temporary placement on a portion of a body of the patient;

an ECG stylet configured to be removably disposed within a lumen of the catheter, and detect ECG signals when a distal portion of the catheter is disposed in the body of the patient, the ECG stylet including an electrically conductive second connector;

at least one external ECG electrode configured to be placed on the body of the patient; and

a connector interface configured to removably attach to the location sensor, the connector interface configured to operably interconnect the console, the ECG stylet, and the at least one external ECG electrode with the location sensor, the connector interface including a first connector configured to receive the second connector of the ECG stylet, the second connector configured to pierce a sterile barrier disposed over the location sensor and the connector interface.

20. The system as defined in claim 19, wherein the first connector of the connector interface includes a receptacle, wherein the second connector of the ECG stylet includes a pin connector, and wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the pin connector of the ECG stylet therein, the pin contact configured to pierce the sterile barrier.

21. The system as defined in claim 20, wherein the pin connector is disposed in a channel of a tether connector body included with the ECG stylet.

22. The system as defined in claim 21, wherein the receptacle is included on a fin that extends from a body of the connector interface, the fin including a rounded leading edge.

23. The system as defined in claim 19, wherein the sterile barrier includes a surgical drape.

24. The system as defined in claim 19, wherein the connector interface is removably attachable to a pocket defined in the location sensor and wherein the connector interface enables the location sensor to receive ECG signals from the ECG stylet and from the at least one external ECG electrode.

25. The system as defined in claim 24, wherein a rail of the connector interface is received within a track of the location sensor when the connector interface is attached within the pocket of the location sensor, the track including a recessed perimeter.

26. The system as defined in claim 19, wherein the connector interface includes an outer surface that matches an outer surface of the location sensor when the connector interface is attached to the location sensor.

27-33. -33. (canceled)