System and method for determining position of a medical device

Abstract

A system for determining a position of a medical device in a respiratory system of a patient is provided. The system includes a positioning apparatus, a flexible guide rod having a distal portion, the flexible guide rod configured to be inserted into a passage of the respiratory system of the patient through the positioning apparatus, and an emitter coupled to the distal portion of the flexible guide rod. The system also includes a flexible guide tube, covering the flexible guide rod, and configured to move together with the guide rod through the positioning apparatus and the respiratory system of the patient, wherein the guide rod can be removed through the guide tube and positioning apparatus, leaving a passage into the respiratory system of the patient through the guide tube, a magnet external to the patient, the magnet configured to create a magnetic field in the patient, and at least three sensors positioned external to the patient, the at least three sensors configured to interact with the emitter positioned on the distal portion of the guide rod and the magnetic field created in the patient by the magnet. The system also includes a display screen and a computer connected to the display screen and the at least three sensors external to the patient, wherein the position of the emitter at the distal portion of the guide rod, relative to the respiratory system of the patient, is configured to be detected by at least one of the at least three sensors external to the patient, output to the computer, and indicated on the display screen in a schematic representation of the respiratory system of the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining a position of a medical device in a respiratory system of a patient, the system comprising:
 a positioning apparatus;   a flexible guide rod having a distal portion, the flexible guide rod configured to be inserted into a passage of the respiratory system of the patient through the positioning apparatus;   an emitter coupled to the distal portion of the flexible guide rod;   a flexible guide tube, covering the flexible guide rod, and configured to move together with the guide rod through the positioning apparatus and the respiratory system of the patient, wherein the guide rod can be removed through the guide tube and positioning apparatus, leaving a passage into the respiratory system of the patient through the guide tube;   a magnet external to the patient, the magnet configured to create a magnetic field in the patient;   at least three sensors positioned external to the patient, the at least three sensors configured to interact with the emitter positioned on the distal portion of the guide rod and the magnetic field created in the patient by the magnet;   a display screen; and   a computer connected to the display screen and the at least three sensors external to the patient,   wherein the position of the emitter at the distal portion of the guide rod, relative to the respiratory system of the patient, is configured to be detected by at least one of the at least three sensors external to the patient, output to the computer, and indicated on the display screen in a schematic representation of the respiratory system of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least three sensors external to the patient are secured to the patient with an adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least three sensors external to the patient are arranged in an array on the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible guide rod is steerable by an operator. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of medicants, air, and gases can be delivered to the respiratory system through the tube passage. 
     
     
         7 . A method of positioning a medical device in a respiratory system of a patient, the method comprising:
 inserting a flexible guide rod covered with a flexible guide tube into a passage of a respiratory system of the patient through a positioning apparatus,   wherein the flexible guide rod has an emitter coupled to the distal portion of the flexible guide rod;   advancing the guide tube, together with the guide rod, through the positioning apparatus and into the respiratory system of the patient;   positioning at least three sensors external to the patient, wherein the at least three sensors are configured to interact with the emitter positioned on the distal portion of the guide rod and a magnetic field created in the patient by a magnet positioned external to the patient,   wherein the at least three sensors are positioned to enable the at least three sensors to connect to a computer, and   wherein the computer is coupled to a display screen configured to display a schematic representation of the patient's respiratory system, wherein the computer receives output from at least one of the at least three sensors external to the patient and detects the position of the emitter attached to the distal portion of the guide rod;   steering the distal portion of the guide rod relative to the respiratory system of the patient to the desired position; and   removing the guide rod from the guide tube and positioning apparatus, leaving a passage into the respiratory system of the patient through the guide tube.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least three sensors external to the patient are secured to the patient with an adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least three sensors external to the patient are arranged in an array on the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the magnet is at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of medicants, air, and gases can be delivered to the respiratory system through the tube passage. 
     
     
         12 . A system for determining a position of a medical device in a passage in a patient, the system comprising:
 a positioning apparatus;   a flexible guide rod having a distal portion, the flexible guide rod configured to be inserted into the passage in the patient through the positioning apparatus;   an emitter coupled to the distal portion of the flexible guide rod;   a flexible guide tube, covering the flexible guide rod, and configured to move together with the guide rod through the positioning apparatus and the passage in the patient, wherein the guide rod can be removed through the guide tube and positioning apparatus, leaving a passage through the guide tube;   a magnet external to the patient, the magnet configured to create a magnetic field in the patient;   at least three sensors positioned external to the patient, the at least three sensors configured to interact with the emitter positioned on the distal portion of the guide rod and the magnetic field created in the patient by the magnet;   a display screen; and   a computer connected to the display screen and the at least three sensors external to the patient,   wherein the position of the emitter at the distal portion of the guide rod, relative to the passage in the patient, is configured to be detected by at least one of the at least three sensors external to the patient, output to the computer, and indicated on the display screen in a schematic representation of the passage in the patient.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the passage in the patient is at least one of a natural occurring opening and an incision. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the system can be used in at least one of endoscopic, arthroscopic, and fiber optic surgery. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the system can be used in at least one of a patient's respiratory system, colon, stomach, and joints. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least three sensors external to the patient are secured to the patient with an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least three sensors external to the patient are arranged in an array on the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the flexible guide rod is steerable by an operator. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the magnet is at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of medicants, air, and gases can be delivered through the tube passage.