Method and apparatus for intubation of a patient
First Claim
1. A catheter system comprisinga catheter having a distal end portion, a sensor provided at the distal end portion, and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient'"'"'s body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter having a distal end portion including a sensor responsive to the presence of a magnetic field or flux of a predetermined strength is provided. Also provided is a catheter system which further includes an external magnet. The sensor in the distal end portion is selected to respond when the distal end portion of the catheter is exposed to a magnetic field, such as provided by the external magnet, sufficient to capture and maneuver the distal end of the catheter. A catheter having a distal end portion that includes a steering portion for maneuvering the distal end of the catheter during intubation of a patient is also provided. A method for intubating a patient using the catheter systems provided, including an external magnet, is also disclosed.
278 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A catheter system comprising
a catheter having a distal end portion, a sensor provided at the distal end portion, and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient'"'"'s body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient.
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23. A method for intubating a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a catheter having a distal end portion and comprising a sensor provided at the distal end portion and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient'"'"'s body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient;
(b) providing the external magnet;
(c) placing the distal end portion of the catheter inside the body of a patient;
(d) placing the external magnet in a position that is external to the body of the patient and proximate to the sensor;
(e) confirming the proximity of the external magnet and the distal end portion by monitoring the signal provided by the sensor; and
(f) manipulating the external magnet to position the distal end portion of the catheter at a selected location within the body of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A catheter system for intubation of a patient, comprising
a catheter having a distal end and suitable for duodenal insertion, a permanent magnet provided at the distal end, a sensor provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor comprises a housing containing electrically conducting reeds having a predetermined elasticity such that the electrical state of the sensor changes in response to the presence of a magnetic field or magnetic flux at a predetermined threshold level, thereby providing a first signal indicating said presence, and an indicator in communication with the sensor, wherein the indicator provides an audio, visual, or tactile second signal when triggered by the first signal.
Specification