Catheter configuration interface and related system

Abstract

A system for implementing a procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to generate a graphical user interface on a display. The interface depicts an image of the tissue. The unit is further configured to receive one or more inputs regarding target locations on the tissue for diagnosis or treatment. The electronic control unit identifies a catheter for use in the procedure and determines configurations for a distal end of the catheter at each target location. The unit superimposes representations of the distal end of the catheter having the determined configurations on the image of the tissue at the target locations. The unit may also generate control signals to guide the distal end of the catheter to the target locations and to assume the determined configurations at each location.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A system for implementing a procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body, comprising the following:
 an electronic control unit configured to:   generate a graphical user interface on a display, the graphical user interface depicting an image of the tissue;   receive a first input regarding a first target location on the tissue;   receive a second input identifying a catheter for use in said procedure;   receive a third input regarding a first configuration for a distal end of said identified catheter at said first target location, said first configuration based on a structural characteristic of said identified catheter; and   output an indication pertaining to said identified catheter in said first configuration for said first target location.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said indication comprises a representation of said identified catheter on said graphical user interface, and wherein said representation displays said identified catheter in said first configuration for said first target location. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said indication comprises a variation of a visual characteristic of said displayed catheter. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said visual characteristic comprises color, size or intensity of said displayed catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said visual characteristic is varied according to a strain level of said displayed catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said visual characteristic is varied according to a potential for achieving said first configuration at said target location in view of anatomy of said body. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said visual characteristic is varied according to a level of clinician skill required to achieve said first configuration. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said third input comprises a user manipulation of said representation of said identified catheter. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said user manipulation comprises a manual configuring of said identified catheter on said graphical user interface. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said indication further comprises a warning that said first configuration for said distal end of said identified catheter at said first target location cannot be achieved. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said electronic control unit is configured to:
 determine a plurality of potential configurations for said distal end of said identified catheter based upon information from a data storage unit; and   generate an alert if said first configuration for said distal end of said identified catheter at said first target location does not match at least one of said potential configurations for said distal end of said identified catheter.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said indication further comprises an adjustment of said third input to adjust said first configuration to better fit said first target location. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said electronic control unit automatically determines said third input based upon information from a data storage unit. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein said information comprises a characteristic of tissue. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 said electronic control unit is configured to present a menu of catheter configurations; and   said third input comprises a user selection from said menu of catheter configurations.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 said electronic control unit is configured to present a menu of catheters; and   said second input comprises a user selection from said menu of catheters.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said second input comprises identifying information received from a catheter upon connection of said catheter to said electronic control unit. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising the following:
 a catheter;   a data storage unit; and   a display;   said catheter, data storage unit, and display being in electronic communication with said electronic control unit.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the first input further comprises a second target location on the tissue;   the third input further comprises a second configuration for said distal end of said identified catheter at said second target location, said second configuration based on a structural characteristic of said identified catheter; and   wherein said electronic control unit is further configured to display representations of catheters in the first configuration and the second configuration.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to determine an optimal path for moving said distal portion of said identified catheter to said first target location. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said electronic control unit is configured to generate control signals to guide said distal end of said identified catheter to said first target location. 
     
     
         43 . A system for implementing a procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body, comprising the following:
 an electronic control unit configured to:   generate a graphical user interface on a display, the graphical user interface depicting an image of the tissue;   receive a first user input regarding a first target location on the tissue;   present a menu of catheters on said graphical user interface for use at said first target location, each catheter listed having identifying information;   receive a second user input regarding selection of a catheter from said menu of catheters for use in said procedure;   display a representation of said identified catheter;   receive a third user input manipulating a structural characteristic of a distal end of said displayed catheter into a first configuration for use at said first target location; and   display a representation of said manipulated structural characteristic of said distal end of said identified catheter on said graphical user interface.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said electronic control unit is configured to provide a warning that said first configuration for said distal end of said identified catheter at said first target location cannot be achieved. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said electronic control unit is configured to vary a color of said displayed catheter, the color varying according to a strain level in said identified catheter induced by said manipulated structural characteristic. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said electronic control unit is configured to:
 determine a plurality of potential configurations for said distal end of said identified catheter; and   generate an alert if said first configuration for said distal end of said identified catheter at said first target location does not match at least one of said potential configurations for said distal end of said identified catheter.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said electronic control unit is configured to:
 determine a plurality of potential configurations for said distal end of said identified catheter;   compare said first configuration to one of said plurality of configurations; and   adjust the third user input.