# US 11,304,622 B2 · System and apparatus for detecting catheters relative to introducers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,622 B2 - Document ID: US11304622B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/896,055 - Filed: 2018-02-13 - Published: 2018-08-16 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-14 - Assignees: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc. - Applicants: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc. - Inventors: Ryan K. Buesseler; Troy T. Tegg; Kevin Edmunds - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304622B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/062: {using magnetic field} - A61B 5/063: {using impedance measurements} - 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} - A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS] - A61B 5/6852: {Catheters} - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61M 25/0127: {Magnetic means; Magnetic markers} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/0212: {using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter} - A61B 2034/2051: {Electromagnetic tracking systems} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61M 2025/0166: {Sensors, electrodes or the like for guiding the catheter to a target zone, e.g. image guided or magnetically guided} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An apparatus for detecting relative positioning of medical devices located within a human body, the apparatus comprising an inner elongate member comprising a plurality of electrodes and a first sensor member, where the first sensor member is located a known distance from each of the plurality of electrodes, and an outer elongate member comprising a first sensor, and an outer sensor member located between the first sensor and an inner wall of the outer elongate member, where the inner elongate member is configured to move within the outer elongate member and the first sensor is configured to sense a signal generated by movement of the inner elongate member relative to the outer elongate member, and a position detection module including an electronic control unit configured to detect a position of the first sensor member relative to the first sensor based on the signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for detecting relative positioning of medical devices located within a human body, the apparatus comprising: an outer elongate member including a sensor located at a distal end of the outer elongate member; an inner elongate member configured to move within the outer elongate member, the inner elongate member comprising: a plurality of electrodes; a first sensor member, wherein the first sensor member is located a known distance from each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein a first signal is generated by movement of the first sensor member relative to the sensor, and wherein the first sensor member is offset from a longitudinal axis of the inner elongate member; and a second sensor member spaced radially from the first sensor member, wherein a second signal is generated by movement of the second sensor member relative to the sensor; and a position detection module including an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine a longitudinal position and a rotational position of the inner elongate member relative to the outer elongate member based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member comprises a rectangular strip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member comprises a rectangular strip including a longer side, the longer side offset from the longitudinal axis of the inner elongate member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second sensor member is located a known distance from each of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first sensor member and the second sensor member are one or more of the same length and width. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first sensor member and the second sensor member are different sizes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a coil sensor, a proximity sensor, and a magnetic sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a coil, where the coil is coupled with the first sensor member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor member and the sensor comprise a magnetic material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, where the sensor comprises a ring sensor, where the ring sensor is coupled with a circumference of the outer elongate member. ### Claim 11 A system comprising: an outer elongate member including a sensor located at a distal end of the outer elongate member; an inner elongate member configured to move within the outer elongate member, the inner elongate member comprising: a plurality of electrodes; a first sensor member, wherein the first sensor member is located a known distance from each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein a first signal is generated by movement of the first sensor member relative to the sensor, and wherein the first sensor member is offset from a longitudinal axis of the inner elongate member; and a second sensor member spaced radially from the first sensor member, wherein a second signal is generated by movement of the second sensor member relative to the sensor; a position detection module including an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine a longitudinal position and a rotational position of the inner elongate member relative to the outer elongate member based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal; and wherein the ECU is electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to: (A) measure a signal from the sensor, wherein the signal varies based on a position of the first sensor member in relation to the sensor and the second sensor member; (B) analyze the signal to determine a relative position of the inner elongate member within the outer elongate member based on the location of the first sensor member; and (C) generate a relative position information for the inner elongate member within the outer elongate member using the analysis of the signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first sensor member and the sensor are a rectangular shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first sensor member and the sensor are a rectangular shape and a long side of the sensor is offset from the longitudinal axis of the inner elongate member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first sensor member and the sensor comprise a magnetic material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the ECU is further configured to: evaluate the signal to determine a characteristic of the signal for the first sensor member and the sensor, correlate the characteristic of the signal to a position of the first sensor member and the sensor, determine a relative position of the inner elongate member within the outer elongate member based on the position of the first sensor member and the sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, where the characteristic of the signal comprises one or more of a changes in a voltage, changes in a current, changes in a magnetic field strength, and changes in a magnetic flux density.