Coaxial catheter system

Abstract

A medical system includes first and second medical probes in an arrangement and configured for insertion into a lumen or vessel of a patient, the first medical probe having indicia, and a detector is fixedly coupled to the second medical probe and configured for insertion into and advancement through the lumen or vessel along with the second medical probe, wherein the detector detects passage of the indicia as the first and second medical probes are moved relative to each other within the lumen or body vessel. An electromechanical driver is coupled to, and operable to move the first and second medical probes. A system controller is configured for directing the electromechanical driver to move the first and second medical probes relative to each other within the lumen or body vessel based on signals received from the detector when the detector is positioned within the lumen or body vessel.

1 . A medical system for performing a surgical procedure on a patient, comprising:
 a first medical probe having indicia, the first medical probe being configured for insertion into a lumen or vessel of the patient;   a second medical probe positioned in an arrangement with the first medical probe, the second medical probe being configured for insertion into the lumen or vessel;   a detector fixedly coupled to the second medical probe and configured for insertion into and advancement through the lumen or vessel along with the second medical probe, wherein the detector detects passage of the indicia as the first and second medical probes are moved relative to each other within the lumen or body vessel;   an electromechanical driver coupled to the first and second medical probes, the electromechanical driver being operable to move the first and second medical probes; and   a controller configured for directing the electromechanical driver to move the first and second medical probes relative to each other within the lumen or body vessel based on signals received from the detector when the detector is positioned within the lumen or body vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The medical system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, wherein the controller is configured for directing the electromechanical driver in response to the at least one command. 
     
     
         3 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled to the electromechanical driver via external cabling. 
     
     
         4 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second medical probes are flexible catheters in a coaxial arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the detector is an optical detector. 
     
     
         6 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for directing the electromechanical driver to linearly translate the first and second medical probes relative to each other, the indicia is disposed along a length of the first medical probe, the detector is configured for detecting a linear passage of the indicia as the first and second medical probes are linearly translated relative to each other, and the controller is configured for receiving signals from the detector indicating the relative linear translation between the first and second medical probes. 
     
     
         7 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for directing the electromechanical driver to axially rotate the first and second medical probes relative to each other, the indicia is disposed along a circumference of the first medical probe, the detector is configured for detecting a rotational passage of the indicia as the first and second medical probes are axially rotated relative to each other, and the controller is configured for receiving signals from the detector indicating the relative axial rotation between the first and second medical probes. 
     
     
         8 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the first medical probe further includes an articulating tool, and the controller is configured for directing the electromechanical driver to actuate the articulating tool. 
     
     
         9 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to direct the electromechanical driver to move the second medical probe relative to the first medical probe. 
     
     
         10 . The medical system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to direct the electromechanical driver to move the first medical probe and the second medical probe. 
     
     
         11 . A method for monitoring relative positions of a first medical probe and a second medical probe inside of a patient, the method comprising:
 directing an electromechanical driver coupled to the first medical probe and the second medical probe to move the first medical probe and the second medical probe relative to each other, the first medical probe and the second medical probe being inserted into a lumen or vessel in the patient, the first medical probe having indicia, the second medical probe having a detector for sensing a passage of the indicia as the first medical probe and the second medical probe are moved relative to each other, wherein the detector is inserted into the lumen or vessel, and wherein a position of the detector changes with movement of the second medical probe as the second medical probe is repositioned within the lumen or vessel; and   detecting signals indicating the relative movement between the first medical probe and the second medical probe.   
     
     
         12 . The medical system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second medical probes are flexible catheters in a coaxial arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first medical probe is an inner medical probe and the second medical probe is an outer medical probe. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detector is an optical detector. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first medical probe and the second medical probe are linearly translated relative to each other, and the relative linear movement between the first medical probe and the second medical probe is detected. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first medical probe and the second medical probe are rotationally translated relative to each other, and the relative rotational movement between the first medical probe and the second medical probe is detected. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an articulating tool is attached to the first medical probe, the method further comprising directing the electromechanical driver to actuate the articulating tool. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second medical probe is moved relative to the first medical probe. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first medical probe and the second medical probe are independently moved relative to each other. 
     
     
         20 . A method for monitoring relative positions of a first medical probe and a second medical probe inside of a patient, comprising:
 directing an electromechanical driver coupled to the first medical probe and the second medical probe to controllably bend the first medical probe and the second medical probe and to move the first medical probe and the second medical probe relative to each other, the first medical probe and the second medical probe being inserted into the patient, the first medical probe having indicia, the second medical probe having a detector for sensing a passage of the indicia as the first medical probe and the second medical probe are moved relative to each other, wherein the detector is inserted into the patient, and wherein a position of the detector changes with movement of the second medical probe and as the second medical probe is repositioned within the patient; and   detecting signals indicating the relative movement between the first medical probe and the second medical probe.