System for placement of a catheter including a signal-generating stylet

摘要

An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor unit for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a field produced by a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. The stylet includes an electromagnetic coil that can be operably connected to the sensor unit and/or console through a sterile barrier without compromising the barrier. The stylet can also be wirelessly connected to the sensor unit and/or console.

主权项

1. A system for placing a catheter in a patient's vasculature, comprising:
a console including a display; an ultrasound probe for ultrasonically imaging a portion of the patient's vasculature for depiction as an ultrasound image on the display, the ultrasound probe configured to communicate imaging information to the console; a stylet removably positionable in a lumen of the catheter, the stylet including a radiating element capable of producing an electromagnetic field; a stylet control module connected to the stylet, the stylet control module configured to control operation of the radiating element, wherein the stylet control module includes a timer circuit configured to send electrical pulses at a pulse signal frequency to the radiating element; and an external sensor configured to detect the electromagnetic field of the radiating element, the electromagnetic field providing electromagnetic field information for determining a position of the catheter with respect to the external sensor during advancement of the catheter in the patient's vasculature, the external sensor configured to communicate the electromagnetic field information to the console for depiction on the display with the ultrasound image, wherein at least one of the console and the external sensor includes a circuit configured to synchronize the at least one of the console and the external sensor with the pulse signal frequency.