Catheter locator apparatus and method of use

• US 8,265,732 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CORPAK MedSystems, Inc. (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Besz, William John, Chorley, Donald Philip, Brasted, Stuart, Walker, Robert Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): KISH, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US12/646,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20100097373A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/424
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/107 Visualisation of planned trajectories or target regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/363 Use of fiducial points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• 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 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• 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 5/6851 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0007 inserted by using a guide-wire guide wires A61M25/09
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0069 Tubes feeding directly to the intestines, e.g. to the jejunum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0166 Sensors, electrodes or the like for guiding the catheter to a target zone, e.g. image guided or magnetically guided
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of catheter and radiating coil location in a human body and in particular to the determination over time of the location of the tip of a catheter as it is inserted and during its use in the body. In particular when a radiating coil is used in conjunction with a catheter, a coil locating device can be used to determine the distance the coil is from the device and hence its depth in the body of a patient. To assist a clinician using the coil-locating device, a display is provided that shows both a reference image of a part or portion of a body (non-subject body) and an image of the coil located on the display with reference to the reference image. This is achieved by locating the coil-locating device on or over a predetermined landmark on the patient'"'"'s body. The coil and its associated signal wires can be incorporated into a stylet, guide wire or a catheter. The coil locating device has a preferable triangular shape in plan view that allows it uppermost apex to be orientated towards the head of the patient and for an axis of the device to be aligned with the mid sagittal plane of the patient. Preferable landmarks on a human body include the xiphoid sternal junction and the caudal/mid sagittal aspect of the jugular sternal notch.

Claims

1. A catheter locator system comprising:

a processor;

a display device operatively connected to the processor;

a detector device operatively connected to the processor, the detector device being configured to be positioned over a predetermined location of a subject;

a coil operatively connected to the processor, the coil being configured to be inserted into a catheter;

a memory device storing;

(a) a first predetermined line representative of a mid-sagittal line of a subject;

(b) a second predetermined line representative of a diaphragm of the subject; and

(c) instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in cooperation with the display device, the detector device, the coil and the memory device, while the coil is being advanced or removed from the catheter;

(a) display the first predetermined line representative of the mid-sagittal line of the subject and the predetermined line representative of the diaphragm of the subject;

(b) for an esophageal segment, determine and display a first number indicative of a first distance from the coil to the detector device;

(c) for a stomach segment, determine and display a second number indicative of a second distance from the coil to the detector device;

(d) for a pylorus segment, determine and display a third number indicative of a third distance from the coil to the detector device; and

(e) for a duodenum segment, determine and display a fourth number indicative of a fourth distance from the coil to the detector device.

2. The catheter locator system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in cooperation with the detector device, the coil and the memory device, while the coil is being advanced or removed from the catheter, record a route through the subject body.

3. The catheter locator system of claim 2, wherein the route includes an X-Y location.

4. The catheter locator system of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined line and the second predetermined line intersect at a point representative of a xiphoid sternal junction of the subject.

5. The catheter locator system of claim 1, wherein the coil is configured to transmit electromagnetic signals.

6. The catheter locator system of claim 1, which includes a plurality of wires having an end portion which is connected to the coil, the plurality of wires being at least one of a stylet and a guide wire.

7. The catheter locator system of claim 1, wherein the detector device includes a plurality of receiving coils which receive electromagnetic signals from the coil.

8. The catheter locator system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in cooperation with the display device, the detector device, the coil and the memory device, while the coil is being advanced or removed from the catheter, generate and display arrow symbols which are indicative of a direction of travel of the coil.

9. The catheter locator system of claim 1, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in cooperation with the display device, the detector device, the coil and the memory device, while the coil is being advanced or removed from the catheter, for a jejunum segment, determine and display a fifth number indicative of a fifth distance from the coil to the detector device.