Systems and methods for guiding a medical instrument
US9521961B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3954
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
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. In other embodiments, a guidance system for guiding rigid or other medical instruments is disclosed, together with various example implementations thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.