Catheter or cannula position indicator for use in hemodynamic monitoring and the like

• US 5,068,886 A
• Filed: 06/28/1990
• Issued: 11/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monica Lavia
• Original Assignee: Monica Lavia
• Inventors: Lavia, Monica
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Application Number:
  US07/544,968
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 378/163, 378/164
• US Class Current: 378/164
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/068 with a bubble level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers

Abstract

A catheter position indicator for use with leveling devices adapted for use in hemodynamic monitoring. The indicator includes a radio transparent sheet material containing a plurality of spaced apart radio opaque material portions. Also included is a means for fastening the sheet material to a human body. An X-ray may be taken so that the location of a catheter may be determined in relation to the radio opaque portions of the radio transparent sheet material. Once the location of the catheter is determined a simple bubble level device may be utilized to bring a hemodynamic transducer assembly into level with the inserted catheter.

Claims

1. A catheter position indicator, comprising:

a radio transparent sheet material containing a plurality of spaced apart radio opaque material potions;

means for fastening said sheet material to a human body whereby the location of a catheter may be determined in relation to aid radio opaque portions of said radio transparent sheet material with X-rays; and

flexible line fastening means attached to said radio transparent sheet material in positional relation so said radio opaque material portions whereby a flexible line stretched horizontally from said fastening means will be at a height corresponding to the body portion underlying said sheet material.

3. The catheter position indicator of claim 1, further comprise a plurality of spaced apart fasteners attached to said radio transparent sheet material.

4. The catheter position indicator of claim 1, wherein aid means for fastening said radio transparent sheet material to a human body is a non-toxic tack adhesive.

5. The catheter position indicator of claim 4, further comprising a peel away adhesive protection covering for said non-toxic tack adhesive.

2. A method of adjusting a pressure sensitive transducer assembly to the same level as a catheter inserted into a body, said method of leveling comprising the steps of:

locating the relative position of the catheter by placing a radio transparent sheet material containing a plurality of spaced apart radio opaque material portions over the area to be catheterized;

producing an X-ray film of said area to be catheterized;

determining the relative location of said catheter in relation to any of said spaced apart radio opaque portions of said radio transparent sheet material from said X-ray film;

attaching an elongated flexible line carrying a small bubble level intermediate its ends between said transducer assembly and to said radio opaque portion of said transparent sheet material nearest the level of the catheter as shown by said X-ray film; and

raising or lowering said transducer assembly to the same level as said catheter as determined by said small bubble level.

6. A catheter position indicator, comprising:

a radio transparent sheet material containing a plurality of spaced apart radio opaque material portions;

means or fastening said sheet material to a human body, whereby the location for catheter may be determined in relation to said radio opaque portion of said radio transparent sheet material with X-rays; and

wherein said plurality of radio opaque portions are formed into a plurality of spaced apart fasteners.

7. A catheter position indicator, comprising:

a radio transparent sheet material containing a plurality of spaced apart radio opaque material portions;

means for fastening said sheet material to a human body, whereby the location of a catheter may be determined in relation to said radio opaque portions of said aradio transparent sheet material with X-rays; and

at least one level engagement means.

8. The catheter position indicator of claim 7, further comprising removable securement means for securing said level engagement means to said transparent sheet material.

9. The catheter position indicator of claim 8, wherein said removable securement means is at least one hook and loop type fastener.

10. The catheter position indicator of claim 8, wherein said removable securement means is an adhesive.

11. A method of determining the relative location of a radio opaque catheter inserted into an area to be catheterized, said locating method comprising the steps of:

placing a radio transparent sheet material containing a plurality of spaced apart radio opaque material fastener portions over the area to be catheterized;

producing an X-ray film of said area to be catheterized; and

determining he relative location of said catheter in relation to any of said spaced apart radio opaque fastener portions of said radio transparent sheet material from said X-ray film.