Apparatus for use with needle insertion guidance system

摘要

A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. The needle can include a donut-shaped magnet disposed about the needle cannula, or a removable stylet with a magnetic element and a strain gauge for detection of the needle distal tip.

主权项

1. A guidance system for inserting a needle into a body of a patient in connection with imaging technology, the system comprising:
an imaging device including a probe, the imaging device configured to produce an image of an internal body portion target; a stylet removably disposed within the needle, the stylet including at least one magnetic element comprising a plurality of passive ferromagnets placed adjacent one another; at least one sensor included with the probe that senses a magnetic field of the at least one magnetic element of the stylet; a processor that uses data relating to the magnetic field sensed by the at least one sensor to determine a position of the needle in at least two spatial dimensions relative to the probe; and a display that depicts the determined position of the needle together with the image of the target.