Optical Tip Tracking Using Light-Emitting Catheter Stylets

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fluoroscopic methods for tracking medical device tips expose clinicians and patients to harmful radiation and potentially harmful contrast media, while magnetic and electromagnetic tracking methods are prone to interference.

Innovation Solution

An optical tip-tracking system comprising a light-emitting stylet, a light detector, and a console that uses light-emitting diodes to optically track the distal-end portion of the stylet within a patient's vasculature, utilizing a light detector placed over the patient to provide tracking information on a display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluoroscopic methods are used to track medical device tips, then tracking capability is achieved, but radiation exposure and contrast media exposure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fluoroscopic X-ray imaging with an optical detection system that uses light-emitting diodes mounted on the medical device and photodetectors positioned on the patient's skin. This substitution eliminates ionizing radiation exposure while maintaining real-time tracking capability through optical signal detection and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If magnetic and electromagnetic means are used to track medical device tips, then radiation exposure is reduced, but interference susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidinterference susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces magnetic and electromagnetic tracking fields with an optical tracking system using LEDs and photodetectors. Optical signals are inherently more resistant to electromagnetic interference and physiological noise, providing more reliable and stable tracking data without the susceptibility issues inherent in magnetic resonance imaging or electromagnetic field-based tracking methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If optical tracking with light-emitting diodes is implemented, then radiation exposure is eliminated, but light detection accuracy may be affected by ambient light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidlight detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic modulation of the LED light emission and corresponding synchronous detection by the photodetectors. By modulating the light source at a specific frequency and detecting only signals at that frequency, the system effectively filters out ambient light and other background noise, maintaining high detection accuracy while eliminating radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Eliminates radiation exposure and interference issues by providing accurate, real-time tracking of medical device tips using optical means, enhancing safety and precision in medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The light-emitting stylet includes a light source in a distal-end portion of the light-emitting stylet configured to emit light. In some embodiments, the light source is a light-emitting diode (''LED''). The light emitted from the light source has a center wavelength between about 650 nm to 1350 nm.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The light detector includes a plurality of photodetectors configured to detect the light emitted from the light source.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12403288B2Optical tip-tracking systems and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An optical tip-tracking system is disclosed including a light-emitting stylet, a light detector, and a console configured to operably connect to the light-emitting stylet and the light detector. The light-emitting stylet can be disposed in a lumen of a catheter. The light-emitting stylet can include a light source in a distal-end portion of the light-emitting stylet configured to emit light. The light detector can be placed over a patient. The light detector can include a plurality of photodetectors configured to detect the light emitted from the light source. The console can be configured to instantiate an optical tip-tracking process for optically tracking the distal-end portion of the light-emitting stylet while the light-emitting stylet is disposed in a vasculature of the patient, the light source is emitting light, the light detector is disposed over the light-emitting stylet, and the photodetectors are detecting the light emitted from the light source.