Device and Method for Needle/Catheter Location Utilizing Correlation Analysis

Abstract

An apparatus and method to enable clinicians to verify needle or catheter location within an anatomic site by relying upon combined sensing of two signals, such as a pressure signal and a heart rate pulse signal, in which the detection of a correlation between both signals is identified to confirm location of the needle or catheter.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for determining needle or catheter location in a patient utilizing a correlation analysis, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to correlation analysis, such as comparison of beats-per-minute or cross-correlation of waveforms, of objective pressure in the needle or catheter and the patient's heart rate pulse.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Currently, when measuring pressure within a needle or catheter, there is no ability to identify false-positives of a cardiac pulsewave detected in the needle or catheter as opposed to pressure changes which truly represent the cardiac pulsewave. As used herein cardiac pulsewave is defined to mean a pressure waveform which contains a signal which originates from the contraction of the heart or vessels, and therefore contains information representing, the cardiac pulse. It is conceivable that a needle or an indwelling catheter can detect a non-cardiac ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides devices and methods for accurately positioning needles and catheters in the body, particularly at specific target sites where the cardiac pulse is present. This can be done by detecting the cardiac pulsewave in the needle or catheter and confirming its patency. The invention can also provide an objective pressure value in the needle or catheter during the flushing stage, allowing clinicians to better control the delivery of medication or aspiration of fluid and prevent excessive pressures. The invention can be used for all types of needles and catheters that are placed into patients at anatomical sites at locations that emit a rhythmic pulsation of the arterial system. The invention can also detect the pulsatile pressure waveform and monitor its response to an injection performed with a manual syringe to determine the patency and position of the catheter. Overall, the invention can provide a more reliable and efficient means of positioning needles and catheters in the body.

Problems solved by technology

Excessive pressure during medication delivery could cause the dislodgement of the needle or catheter from a site as uncontrolled fluid pressures produce a “jet-stream” at the tip of the catheter or needle.

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