Devices and methods for vascular navigation, assessment and/or diagnosis
AssigneePiccolo Medical, Inc.
InventorsAlexey Salamini, Eric Yu, Daniel R. Burnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for vascular navigation, assessment and/or diagnosis are described which determine the location of the tip of a vascular catheter using the introduction of a medium with a measurable parameter (e.g., temperature, light reflection, sound reflection, etc.) and sensing and measuring the measurable parameter as the catheter is advanced. Measurements of the parameter are tracked over time, recorded and analyzed. The value of the parameter and/or the shape of the parameter value vs. time curve may be used in the analysis. For example, curve amplitude, variability, standard deviation, slope, etc. may be used in the analysis of catheter location.
Claims30
A location detection system, comprising:
- an elongate body;
- a conduit defining one or more flow passages, where each of the one or more flow passages has a distal end and where the conduit is configured to secure a position of the elongate body relative to the conduit;
- a sensor positioned at or in proximity to the distal end of the elongate body, wherein the conduit maintains a fixed distance between the sensor and the one or more flow passage distal ends, and wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter of a fluid after the fluid is emitted from the one or more flow passage distal ends;
- and
- a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine a time-derived function of the at least one parameter of the fluid and is further configured to obtain a position of the sensor within a body of a subject, and wherein the time-derived function is based upon a degree of turbulence of the fluid after emitted from the one or more flow passages.
A method of determining a location within a body of a subject, comprising:
- positioning an elongate body within a lumen of a catheter;
- positioning the catheter within the body of the subject;
- introducing a fluid through the lumen and one or more flow passages of a conduit into the body;
- measuring via a sensor at least one parameter of the fluid after introduction within the body of the subject, wherein the sensor is positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of the elongate body such that the sensor is maintained at a fixed distance relative to a fluid exit port of the catheter or conduit;
- determining a time-derived function of the at least one parameter of the fluid;
- and
- determining a position of the sensor within the body of the subject based upon the time-derived function.
A location detection system for use within a catheter lumen, comprising:
- an elongate body;
- a sensor positioned at or in proximity to the distal end of the elongate body, wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter of a fluid after the fluid is emitted from the catheter lumen;
- and
- a controller in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine a time-derived function of the at least one parameter of the fluid and is further configured to obtain a position of the sensor within a body of a subject based upon the time-derived function.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.