Determining Inserted Catheter End Location and Orientation

A catheterization device, comprising:

• (a) an elongated body portion having a first end for insertion into a passageway of the body in the practice of a medical procedure, and a second end;
• (b) light conducting means disposed within said body portion and along the length thereof for transmitting a plurality of light beams along said body portion from said second end toward said first end, said light conducting means terminating near said first end in a plurality of light emitting locations axially spaced along a terminal segment of said body portion near said first end;
• (c) a source of light operatively connected to said second end of said body portion for transmitting light along said body portion through said light conducting means toward said light emitting locations;
• (d) light detection means for detecting light emitted from said light emitting locations whereby the location of said first end of said body portion can be determined;
• and
• (e) means for pulsing said source of light whereby said light emitting locations selectively emit light in a predetermined sequence, whereby direction of movement of said body portion within a passageway of the body can be determined.

A method for determining distal terminal position, direction of movement and orientation of a catheterization device within the body passageways of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing light conducting means within a catheterization device along the length thereof, said light conducting means terminating near a first end of said device in a plurality of light emitting locations axially spaced along a terminal segment of said device;
• (b) providing a source of light operatively connected to a second end of said device;
• (c) transmitting light through said light conducting means toward said light emitting locations;
• and
• (d) detecting light emitted from said light emitting locations whereby the location of said first end of said device can be determined.