US 2022/0032010 A1 · Airway Detection Using Ultrasound

Abstract

A tubing assembly for use with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter, an ultrasound transducer disposed within the catheter, and an optional additional external ultrasound transducer. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive tract or respiratory tract. The ultrasound transducer can be located within the catheter's lumen, and the optional external ultrasound transducer can be located on or outside the patient's body. Both ultrasound transducers can transmit ultrasound signals as directed by a processor and can communicate with the processor to deliver ultrasound data to a display device. The attenuation of the ultrasound energy at a selected frequency can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract or respiratory tract. A catheter guidance system and method of use are also provided.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A tubing assembly comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a lumen therebetween, and wherein the catheter is configured for placement within a digestive tract of a patient;
and
an ultrasound transducer.

A method for determining if a catheter is placed within a digestive tract of a body of a patient, the method comprising:

(a) inserting a distal end of a tubing assembly into an orifice of the body, wherein the tubing assembly comprises:
the catheter, wherein the catheter has a proximal end and a distal end and extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a lumen therebetween;
and
an ultrasound transducer;
(b) electrically connecting the ultrasound transducer to a processor via a wired connection or a wireless connection;
(c) activating the ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer transmits and/or receives ultrasound energy as controlled by the processor in real-time via an electrical connection;
(d) advancing the distal end of the catheter inside the body in a direction away from the orifice while the ultrasound transducer is activated;
(f) communicating ultrasound data from the ultrasound transducer to the processor in real-time via the wired connection or the wireless connection;
and
(g) informing a user as to placement of the catheter in the digestive tract of the patient or respiratory tract of the patient based on the ultrasound data received by the processor.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/944,696Filed 31 Jul 2020

Published

3 Feb 2022

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61M 25/0158
Tip steering devices: with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating…
A61B 8/12
Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
A61B 8/42
Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves: details of probe positioning or probe attachment to the patient
A61B 8/4254
Involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient: using sensors mounted on the…

Airway Detection Using Ultrasound

Life of this patent

Airway Detection Using Ultrasound

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22