Catheter locating device
First Claim
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1. A locating system for determining the position of a medical catheter inserted in a body, comprising:
- an elongated catheter having a first end adapted for insertion in the body, and a second end which remains external to the body during insertion and use of the catheter;
a receiver coupling means mounted on the catheter adjacent the first end, the receiver coupling means having at least two terminals and being adapted to receive energy radiated from a remote source, and to generate a signal between the terminals which is analogous to the received energy;
connection means connected to the terminals of the receiver coupling means and extending along the catheter toward the second end to terminate outside the body;
generating means external to the body for generating a body-penetrating energy field detectable by the receiver coupling means; and
indicating means connected to the connection means for displaying the extent of coupling between the generating means and receiver coupling means, and thereby indicating the position of the catheter first end within the body.
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Abstract
A system for detecting and monitoring the position of a catheter tip during insertion and after placement of the catheter in a body cavity. A coupling means such as an inductor coil is secured adjacent the catheter tip, and leads extend from the coil along the catheter for connection to external indicating equipment. Energy is propagated through the body to the coupling means from an external source such as an oscillator-driven coil or coils, and relative proximity and orientation of the external and catheter coils is determined by monitoring amplitude and phase of the signal induced in the catheter coil.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A locating system for determining the position of a medical catheter inserted in a body, comprising:
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an elongated catheter having a first end adapted for insertion in the body, and a second end which remains external to the body during insertion and use of the catheter; a receiver coupling means mounted on the catheter adjacent the first end, the receiver coupling means having at least two terminals and being adapted to receive energy radiated from a remote source, and to generate a signal between the terminals which is analogous to the received energy; connection means connected to the terminals of the receiver coupling means and extending along the catheter toward the second end to terminate outside the body; generating means external to the body for generating a body-penetrating energy field detectable by the receiver coupling means; and indicating means connected to the connection means for displaying the extent of coupling between the generating means and receiver coupling means, and thereby indicating the position of the catheter first end within the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining the position of a catheter tip inserted in a living body, comprising the steps of:
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inserting the catheter tip into the body, the tip having a coupling means thereon for generating a signal responsive to an energy field, the coupling means having connections extending to an external end of the catheter for connection to an external indicating means; irradiating the body with an energy field which is propagated in wireless fashion into the body to the catheter-tip coupling means, the energy field being emitted from a source external and movable with respect to the body; and determining the extent of coupling of the coupling means by monitoring the indicating means as the external source is moved to derive information on the position of the catheter tip. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification