Magnetic fixation apparatus for percutaneous catheter
AssigneeABIOMED, Inc.
InventorVincent Barry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A catheter apparatus can include a first magnet coupled to a catheter and a second magnet configured to couple to a patient's skin. When the catheter and the first magnet are positioned within a patient's body, the second magnet can exert a magnetic force on the first magnet that stabilizes the catheter relative to the second magnet. The second magnet can be directly attached to the patient's skin or secondary devices such as straps can be used to place the second magnet in a fixed position relative to the patient's body. In some implementations, a plurality of magnets can facilitate holding the catheter in a substantially fixed position within the patient.
Claims20
A catheter apparatus comprising:
- a catheter;
- a first magnet coupled to the catheter;
- and
- a second magnet configured to couple to a patient's skin;
- wherein the second magnet exerts a magnetic force on the first magnet that stabilizes the catheter relative to the second magnet when the catheter and the first magnet are positioned inside of the patient's body.
A method for percutaneously inserting a catheter into a patient comprising:
- inserting a catheter into the patient's vasculature, the catheter having a first magnet;
- and
- positioning a second magnet in a fixed position relative to the patient such that the first and second magnets are aligned and exert a force on each other, thereby stabilizing the position of the catheter relative to the second magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.