METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING A POSITION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE

摘要

A trackable guidewire apparatus and method for use are described. Longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends are separated by a guidewire body. A plurality of longitudinally spaced position sensors are configured to provide signals corresponding to a three-dimensional position of at least one position sensor in a coordinate system of an associated tracking system in response to an electromagnetic field/stimulus. At least one retention mechanism is provided for maintaining the medical device in a predetermined retention position longitudinally along the guidewire body. At least one stop structure is provided in a predetermined stop position longitudinally along the guidewire body.

主权项

1. A method of tracking a position of a medical device relative to a target site of a patient lumen, the method comprising:
providing a trackable guidewire, the guidewire having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends separated by a guidewire body, the guidewire including a plurality of longitudinally spaced position sensors configured to provide signals corresponding to a three-dimensional position in space to an outside communication device, the guidewire including at least one retention mechanism for maintaining a medical device in a predetermined retention position longitudinally along the guidewire body, and the guidewire including at least one stop structure in a predetermined stop position longitudinally along the guidewire body; placing the medical device in the retention position; maintaining the medical device in the retention position via the retention mechanism; placing the distal guidewire end into the patient lumen; advancing the distal guidewire end and at least a portion of the guidewire body through at least a portion of the patient lumen; determining a three-dimensional position of at least one position sensor in a coordinate system of an associated tracking system; and determining a relative position of the at least one sensor with respect to geometry of the patient lumen.