METHODS FOR POSITIONING AN ULTRASONIC CATHETER

• US 20110224539A1
• Filed: 03/15/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US13/048,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224539A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• 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 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4263 using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0411 with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0008 having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/022 : specifically adapted for the mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09008 : having a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/091 : having a lumen for drug delivery or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0272 : Electro-active or magneto-active materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 : Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0102 : Insertion or introduction using an inner stiffening member, e.g. stylet or push-rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 : using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 : Guide wires

Abstract

An emitter may be disposed in a patient. Output from the emitter may be detected by a detector connected with the guide rod and by a detector connected with the tracheal tube. Alternatively, a detector may detect the output from an emitter connected with the guide rod and by an emitter connected with the tracheal tube. Emitter units may be ultrasonic transducers and emit ultrasonic energy. The detector may respond to ultrasonic energy.

Claims

1. A method for positioning a catheter having an emitter in a body of a patient, the method comprising:

passing the emitter into at least a portion of the body, the emitter being at a leading end of the catheter and including an ultrasonic transducer;

transmitting energy from the ultrasonic transducer through at least a portion of the body; and

detecting the energy with at least one sensor.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy is ultrasonic energy.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the catheter is flexible.

4. The method of claim 1, which further comprises applying suction to the catheter.

5. The method of claim 1, which further comprises applying pressure to the catheter.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy is transmitted from the emitter at a location within the patient'"'"'s body.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is outside the body.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein passing the emitter into at least a portion of the body includes controlling the position of at least the emitter.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the emitter is passed into the body of the patient through a tubular structure.

10. The method of claim 1, which further comprises positioning the catheter with a guide rod.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy is selectively controlled.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy is transmitted from a plurality of emitters.

13. A method for positioning a catheter having an emitter in a body of a patient, the method comprising:

passing the emitter into at least a portion of the body, the emitter being at a leading end of the catheter and including an ultrasonic transducer; and

transmitting energy from the ultrasonic transducer through at least a portion of the body; and

determining the position of the emitter with an imaging device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the energy is ultrasonic energy.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the catheter is flexible.

16. The method of claim 13, which further comprises applying suction to the catheter.

17. The method of claim 13, which further comprises applying pressure to the catheter.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the energy is transmitted from the emitter at a location within the patient'"'"'s body.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the sensor is outside the body.

20. A method for positioning a catheter having an emitter in a body of a patient, the method comprising:

positioning a cannula in at least a portion of the body;

passing the emitter through at least a portion of the cannula, the emitter being at a leading end of the catheter and including an ultrasonic transducer;

transmitting energy from the ultrasonic transducer through at least a portion of the body; and

detecting the energy with a sensor.