US6612992B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Medical diagnostic ultrasound catheter and method for position determination
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 2000-03-02
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Granted: 2003-09-02
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Expires: 2020-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A catheter and method for determining a position of the catheter within the cardiovascular system is provided. Local bending and twisting is measured at multiple locations along the catheter. By integrating the measurements, the position and orientation of the catheter is determined. Based on the catheter position information, the location and orientation of an ultrasound transducer array connected with the catheter is known. The imaging array position and orientation information may be used to assist a physician in determining the tissue structure or fluid being scanned and/or assist in the accurate generation of three-dimensional representations.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Hossack
- 👤 Michael G. Curley
- 👤 Thilaka S. Sumanaweera
- 👤 John I. Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/009; A61B5/00; A61B5/06; A61B5/065; A61B8/12; A61B8/42; A61B8/4245; A61B8/4254; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8993
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging catheter for determining a catheter position within a cardiovascular system, the catheter comprising: a flexible ultrasound catheter rod comprising a shaft portion and a distal end portion adapted for insertion into a patient; an ultrasound transducer operatively connected with the distal end portion; and a plurality of local deformation sensors spaced along the ultrasound catheter rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging catheter for determining a catheter position within a cardiovascular system, the catheter comprising: a flexible ultrasound catheter rod comprising a shaft portion and a distal end portion adapted for insertion into a patient; an ultrasound transducer operatively connected with the distal end portion; and a plurality of local deformation sensors spaced along the ultrasound catheter rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the local deformation sensors comprise strain gauges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the local deformation sensors comprise at least one fiber optic strand.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of local deformation sensors are fixedly attached to the catheter rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the catheter rod further comprises an internal channel and the plurality of local deformation sensors are removably positionable within the internal channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of local deformation sensors comprise sensors sensitive to local catheter bending.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of local deformation sensors comprise sensors sensitive to local catheter twisting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of local deformation sensors comprises a pair of strain gauges, at least one pair of strain gauges along a first plane through an axis of the catheter rod and at least one pair of strain gauges along a second plane through the axis, the second plane at about a 90 degree angle to the first plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 6 wherein the bend sensors are spaced along the catheter rod at least three locations and further comprising at least one twist strain gage positioned at the distal end portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for determining a position of a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging catheter within a cardiovascular system, the method comprising the acts of: (a) measuring a local deformation at each of a plurality of locations along the ultrasound imaging catheter while inserted in a patient; (b) integrating the local deformation measurements; and (c) determining a position of an ultrasound transducer array as a function of (b).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for determining a position of a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging catheter within a cardiovascular system, the method comprising the acts of: (a) measuring a local deformation at each of a plurality of locations along the ultrasound imaging catheter while inserted in a patient; (b) integrating the local deformation measurements; and (c) determining a position of an ultrasound transducer array as a function of (b).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (a) comprises measuring strain at the plurality of locations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (a) comprises measuring light loss at the plurality of locations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (a) comprises measuring at fixed locations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: (d) removably inserting a shaft comprising at least one deformation sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (a) comprises measuring an amount of bend.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (a) comprises measuring an amount of twist.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: (d) positioning multiple sets of strain gauges at each of the plurality of locations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (a) comprises: (a1) measuring an amount of bend at each of the plurality of locations along the catheter; and (a2) measuring an amount of twist at the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein (b) comprises fitting the local deformation measurements to a curve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: (d) interpolating moment data associated with positions between the plurality of locations.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: (d) aligning image data as a function of the position of the ultrasound transducer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: (d) producing a 3D image data set as a function of the position of the ultrasound transducer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
72 words
A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging catheter for determining a catheter position within a cardiovascular system during use of the catheter, the catheter comprising: a flexible ultrasound catheter rod comprising a shaft portion and a distal tip portion; an ultrasound transducer operatively connected with the distal tip portion; at least one strain gauge around a circumference of the ultrasound catheter rod; and a plurality of strain gauges spaced apart along the catheter rod.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
72 words
A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging catheter for determining a catheter position within a cardiovascular system during use of the catheter, the catheter comprising: a flexible ultrasound catheter rod comprising a shaft portion and a distal tip portion; an ultrasound transducer operatively connected with the distal tip portion; at least one strain gauge around a circumference of the ultrasound catheter rod; and a plurality of strain gauges spaced apart along the catheter rod.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter of claim 23 wherein the strain gauges are placed closer together on a more flexible portion than on a less flexible portion of the catheter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: (d) measuring a rotation at an insertion point; wherein the determined position is responsive to the measured rotation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-01 | 2007-03-03 | 2007-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-01 | 2011-03-03 | 2011-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-01 | 2015-03-03 | 2015-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |