Navigational reference dislodgement detection method and system

摘要

A method of detecting dislodgement of a navigational reference for a localization system includes securing a reference catheter, including at least one reference localization element, at an initial reference location within a localization field. The positions of one or more of the reference localization elements are monitored for a perceived displacement that suggests that the reference catheter has become dislodged from the initial reference location (e.g., a displacement above a certain threshold, such as about 4 mm). The direction of this perceived displacement may then be further analyzed (e.g., compared to a predicted or most likely direction of displacement) to determine whether there has been an actual dislodgement of the reference catheter, and, if so, an appropriate signal (e.g., an audible or visual warning) may be generated. Upon dislodgement, guidance may be provided to aid the practitioner in restoring the reference catheter to its initial location.

主权项

1. A method of detecting dislodgement of a navigational reference within a localization field, the method comprising:
placing a reference catheter including at least one reference localization element within a localization field; securing the reference catheter at an initial reference location within the localization field; computing a slow-moving average location of the at least one reference localization element; computing a fast-moving average location of the at least one reference localization element; computing a distance between the slow- and fast-moving average locations of the at least one reference localization element; comparing the computed distance to a dislodgement threshold; and determining that a dislodgement of the reference catheter from the initial reference location has occurred; and generating a signal indicative of the dislodgement of the reference catheter from the initial reference location.