Apparatus and method for endovascular device guiding and positioning using physiological parameters

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining the position of an endovascular device within the body are provided. The system can include a catheter having a tip portion that can generate sound waves which can be detected by auscultation devices which allows the position of the catheter tip to be triangulated. The acoustic triangulation system can be used in conjunction with ECG and/or ultrasound information to further refine the location of the catheter tip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for locating a catheter tip within a human body comprising: positioning a first audio sensor at a first site on or near the human body, infusing fluid through an opening in the catheter tip, detecting a first audio signal through the first audio sensor, transmitting the first audio signal to an audio signal processing unit, determining if the first audio signal corresponds to a target location of the catheter tip, and transmitting a notification signal to a user notification unit. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first site is located substantially over a lower ⅓ of a superior vena cava of the human body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: detecting a first electrocardiogram signal through a first electrocardiogram electrode, transmitting the first electrocardiogram signal to an electrocardiogram signal processing unit, and determining if the first electrocardiogram signal corresponds to the target location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: detecting a first baseline electrocardiogram signal through the first electrocardiogram sensor, transmitting the first baseline electrocardiogram signal to the electrocardiogram signal processing unit, and comparing the first baseline electrocardiogram signal to the first electrocardiogram signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: positioning a second audio sensor at a second site on or near the human body, detecting a second audio signal through the second audio sensor, transmitting the second audio signal to the audio signal processing unit, and determining if the second audio signal corresponds to the target location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second site is located substantially over an internal jugular vein. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: determining if the first audio signal and the second audio signal correspond to a non-target location of the catheter tip. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: detecting a second electrocardiogram signal through a second electrocardiogram electrode, transmitting the second electrocardiogram signal to an electrocardiogram signal processing unit, and determining if the second electrocardiogram signal corresponds to the target location. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: detecting a second baseline electrocardiogram signal through the second electrocardiogram sensor, transmitting the second baseline electrocardiogram signal to the electrocardiogram signal processing unit, and comparing the second baseline electrocardiogram signal to the second electrocardiogram signal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: positioning a third audio sensor at a third site on or near the human body, detecting a third audio signal through the third audio sensor, transmitting the third audio signal to the audio signal processing unit, and determining if the third audio signal corresponds to the target location. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: determining if the first audio signal, the second audio signal and the third audio signal an non-target location of the catheter tip. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: detecting a third electrocardiogram signal through a third electrocardiogram electrode, transmitting the third electrocardiogram signal to an electrocardiogram signal processing unit, and determining if the third electrocardiogram signal corresponds to the target location. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: detecting a third baseline electrocardiogram signal through the third electrocardiogram sensor, transmitting the third baseline electrocardiogram signal to the electrocardiogram signal processing unit, and comparing the third baseline electrocardiogram signal to the third electrocardiogram signal. 
     
     
         14 . A method for locating a catheter tip within a human body comprising: inserting a catheter into a hollow anatomical structure of the human body, wherein the catheter comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end terminating in a catheter tip at the distal end, a lumen having an opening disposed at the distal end, and an audio emitting element configured at a distal portion of the elongated body; advancing the catheter at least partially through the hollow anatomical structure; positioning a first audio sensor at a first site on or near the human body; emitting an audio beacon signal from the audio emitting element; detecting a first audio signal through the first audio sensor; transmitting the first audio signal to an audio signal processing unit; determining if the first audio signal corresponds to a target location of the catheter tip; and transmitting a notification signal to a user notification unit. 
     
     
         15 . A method for locating a catheter tip within a human body comprising: inserting a catheter into a hollow anatomical structure of the human body, wherein the catheter comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end terminating in a catheter tip at the distal end, and a lumen having an opening disposed at the distal end, and positioning an audio emitting element at or near the catheter tip; advancing the catheter at least partially through the hollow anatomical structure; positioning a first audio sensor at a first site on or near the human body; emitting an audio beacon signal from the audio emitting element; detecting a first audio signal through the first audio sensor; transmitting the first audio signal to an audio signal processing unit; determining if the first audio signal corresponds to a target location of the catheter tip; and transmitting a notification signal to a user notification unit.