Coaptation ultrasound devices and methods of use

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patient's body using coaptive ultrasound that combines magnetic guidance with ultrasound visualization of the medical member in the patient's body. A coaptive ultrasound probe adaptor magnetically attracts an elongate medical member within the patient with sufficient force so as to allow the operator to manually guide the member to its intended location. The adaptor mates with an ultrasound probe to provide the medical operator ultrasound feedback of the position of the member, thus allowing internal placement without the need for more specialized medical equipment.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system for coaptive ultrasound visualization, comprising:
 a first component for placement on a first side of a tissue layer, the first component including a magnetic field source for generating a magnetic field; and   a second component for placement on a second side of the tissue layer, the second component including a magnetic force receiver interacting with said magnetic field to generate a force between said first and said second component, wherein said force causes acoustic contact between at least part of said second component and the second side of the tissue layer, and wherein said acoustic contact allows ultrasonic visualization of said second component in acoustic contact with said tissue layer.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic force receiver comprises an electromagnet. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic force receiver comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic force receiver comprises a paramagnetic material. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second component has one or more echogenic properties. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the echogenic property includes at least one of an acoustic property, a metallic property and a property that resonates with ultrasound waves. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the generated force between said first and said second component is of sufficient strength to cause the first component and second component to move in concert. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising an expandable balloon for defining an echogenic interior volume. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the expandable balloon comprises a material for receiving a needle through the balloon while the balloon is in an expanded state. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the expandable balloon includes a material that retains an echogenic fluid. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the expandable balloon can retain the echogenic fluid after receipt of the needle through the balloon in an expanded state. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising a guidewire. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the expandable balloon can receive the guidewire into the interior volume of the balloon. 
     
     
         25 . A method for coaptive ultrasound visualization, comprising:
 positioning a first component on a first side of a tissue layer, the first component comprising a magnetic field source generating a magnetic field; and   positioning a second component on a second side of the tissue layer, the second component comprising a magnetic force receiver interacting with said magnetic field and generating a force between said first and said second component, wherein said force causes acoustic contact between at least part of said second component and the second side of the tissue layer; and   generating an ultrasonic visualization of said second component in acoustic contact with said tissue layer.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising, moving the first component on the first side of the tissue layer in a first direction and thereby causing the second component on the second side of the tissue layer to move in said first direction. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising, moving the first component on the first side of the tissue layer in a first direction and thereby causing the second component on the second side of the tissue layer to move in a second direction different from said first direction. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising inflating a balloon surrounding the second component into an inflated state defining an echogenic interior volume. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising generating an ultrasonic visualization of the echogenic interior volume of the inflated balloon. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising inserting a needle into the inflated balloon surrounding the second component. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising injecting a therapeutic in an area adjacent the second component. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising infusing a therapeutic into an area adjacent the inflated balloon. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising inserting a guidewire into the inflated balloon surrounding the second component. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28  wherein inflating a balloon surrounding the second component into an inflated state comprises inflating the balloon with one or more therapeutics. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising:
 guiding a biopsy instrument to an area adjacent the second component; and 
 retrieving a biopsy sample via the biopsy instrument. 
 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising deploying at least one of a sensor, probe, electrode and therapeutic to an area adjacent the second component. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising placing an active medical device adjacent an area adjacent the second component, the active medical device including at least one of a radioactive seed, temperature probe and temperature element. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising suctioning an area adjacent the second component. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising insufflating an area adjacent the second component with at least one of air or fluid. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising draining fluid from an area adjacent the second component by at least one of suctioning and lavaging.