Wireless Catheter Placement System for Sterile Procedure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the precise location of medical devices within the body, such as catheters, require non-sterile equipment connections, compromising the sterile environment and being cumbersome to use.
Innovation Solution
A wireless medical device placement system using Bluetooth technology to transmit location and ECG data to a mobile device, eliminating the need for direct connections and allowing sterile procedure maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless Bluetooth technology is used to transmit data, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating direct connections, but device complexity increases due to wireless communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with wireless Bluetooth communication. The mobile device communicates wirelessly with the medical device placement system, eliminating the need for physical cable connections between the sterile field and external monitoring equipment. This substitution improves ease of operation by removing cumbersome cable management while the Bluetooth module adds controlled complexity to enable wireless data transmission.
2Measurement precision
If non-sterile equipment connections are made, then measurement precision is improved for location determination, but reliability deteriorates due to sterile environment compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring equipment into sterile and non-sterile segments. The catheter tip location sensor remains within the sterile field, while the mobile device and its processing components are separated outside the sterile field. Wireless communication bridges these segments, allowing precise location measurement to be maintained through the sterile barrier while external equipment operates in a non-sterile environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless Bluetooth communication acts as an intermediary between the sterile medical device placement system and the non-sterile mobile device. This intermediary enables data transmission for precise location determination without requiring direct physical connection, thus maintaining the integrity of the sterile environment while still achieving accurate measurements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple equipment connections are required, then measurement precision is improved for comprehensive monitoring, but device complexity increases due to multiple connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (ECG monitoring, catheter tip location tracking, and procedural guidance) into a single mobile device application. This consolidation integrates multiple data streams and measurement capabilities into one unified interface, maintaining comprehensive monitoring precision while reducing the number of separate equipment connections required compared to using multiple separate devices.
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
Enables precise location determination of medical devices while maintaining a sterile environment, reducing user interaction with non-sterile elements and simplifying the process with a user-friendly interface.
Implementation Method 1
The software can energize two or more of the coils within the paddle, creating different magnetic fields that are picked up by the sensor coil at the end of the catheter
Implementation Method 2
The ECG of the patient is generated through the use of electrodes that are placed on the patient's chest across the heart, such that the electrical currents within the heart can be determined and displayed graphically
Implementation Method 3
The paddle can include a wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth transceiver, that can wirelessly transmit data to a mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
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.