Medical device placement system and a method for its use

Abstract

A system and method for locating a medical device within a body uses wireless technology to transmit the information obtained from the sensors to a mobile device or other computing system. A software application on the mobile device or computing system can be used to display the information, wherein the user can control the display without needing to contact any items that are not sterile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical device placement system, comprising:
 a paddle comprising at least one tracking coil and a device wireless transceiver;   at least one electrocardiogram electrode; and   a peripherally inserted central catheter comprising a catheter tip and a stylet,   wherein the paddle is configured to communicate wirelessly by passing electrocardiograph data and catheter tip location data between the device wireless transceiver and a remote mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the remote mobile device comprising a mobile wireless transceiver.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , the paddle further comprising at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing,
 wherein the at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing is configured to house the at least one electrocardiogram electrode.   
     
     
         4 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 3 , the at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing further comprising at least one shield piece;
 wherein the at least one shield piece is configured to protect the at least one electrocardiogram electrode when housed within the at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing.   
     
     
         5 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing further comprising at least one sterile cover;
 wherein the at least one sterile cover is configured to cover the at least one electrocardiogram electrode when not housed in the at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing.   
     
     
         6 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one electrocardiogram electrode and the at least one electrocardiogram electrode housing are configured to be modular and replaceable. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the paddle and the at least one electrocardiogram electrode are connected by at least one electrocardiogram wire. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 7 , the paddle further comprising at least one electrocardiogram input port,
 wherein the at least one electrocardiogram electrode is connected to the at least one electrocardiogram input port by the at least one electrocardiogram wire.   
     
     
         9 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the paddle and the at least one electrocardiogram electrode are configured to communicate wirelessly. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the paddle and the peripherally inserted central catheter are connected by at least one peripherally inserted central catheter wire. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the paddle and the peripherally inserted central catheter are configured to communicate wirelessly. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote mobile device is configured to capture and display a snapshot of electrocardiograph data generated from the at least one electrocardiogram electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote mobile device is configured to capture and display a snapshot of electrocardiograph data generated from the stylet. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote mobile device is configured to capture and display a snapshot of catheter tip location data generated from the at least one tracking coil. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device placement system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is configured to be controlled through a touch screen. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using a medical device placement system, comprising:
 providing a medical device placement system, comprising a paddle comprising at least one tracking coil and a device wireless transceiver; at least one electrocardiogram electrode; a peripherally inserted central catheter comprising a catheter tip and a stylet; and a mobile device comprising a mobile wireless transceiver, wherein the paddle and the mobile device are configured to communicate wirelessly by passing data between the device wireless transceiver and the mobile wireless transceiver;   identifying an insertion site on a patient;   placing the paddle on the chest over a heart on the patient;   adhering at least one electrocardiogram electrode to the patient;   inserting a peripherally inserted central catheter into the patient through the insertion site;   pushing the peripherally inserted central catheter towards the heart via a superior vena cava of the patient;   automatically and wirelessly transmitting catheter tip location data from the medical device placement system to the mobile device;   automatically and wirelessly transmitting ECG data from the medical device placement system to the mobile device;   displaying the location data and the ECG data on the mobile device; and   utilizing the catheter tip location data displayed on the mobile device to position the catheter.