Patent US6063081A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6173199B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for intubation of a patient
Assignee: Syncro Medical Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-05
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2018-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A catheter having a distal end portion including a sensor responsive to the presence of a magnetic field or flux of a predetermined strength is provided. Also provided is a catheter system which further includes an external magnet. The sensor in the distal end portion is selected to respond when the distal end portion of the catheter is exposed to a magnetic field, such as provided by the external magnet, sufficient to capture and maneuver the distal end of the catheter. A catheter having a distal end portion that includes a steering portion for maneuvering the distal end of the catheter during intubation of a patient is also provided. A method for intubating a patient using the catheter systems provided, including an external magnet, is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Sabry Gabriel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J15/00; A61J15/0026; A61J15/008; A61J15/0088; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0127; A61J15/0003; A61J15/0007; A61J15/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A catheter system comprising a catheter having a distal end portion, a sensor provided at the distal end portion, and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient's body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A catheter system comprising a catheter having a distal end portion, a sensor provided at the distal end portion, and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient's body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter system of claim 1 further comprising an indicator in communication with the sensor, wherein the indicator provides a second signal when triggered by the sensor's signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter system of claim 2 wherein the indicator comprises a visible, audible, or tactile signal means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the magnetically responsive element is a permanent magnet on the distal end portion of the catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter system of claim 4 wherein the permanent magnet has an elongated cylindrical shape having hemi-cylindrical magnetic pole faces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter system of claim 4 wherein the permanent magnet has an elongated cylindrical shape having planar pole faces at its terminal ends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The catheter system of claim 1 further comprising an external magnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion comprises a portion constructed of a ferromagnetic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter system of claim 8 wherein the ferromagnetic material portion comprises a tubular member constructed of the ferromagnetic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the catheter defines a lumen extending along a length of the catheter, and wherein the catheter system further comprising a stylet for removable placement within the lumen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter system of claim 8 wherein the sensor is mounted on a distal end portion of the stylet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter system of claim 10 further comprising an indicator electrically connected to the sensor with the stylet, wherein the indicator provides a second signal when triggered by the sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter system of claim 12 wherein the stylet is constructed of an electrically conductive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter system of claim 12 wherein the stylet comprises an electrical wire running along a length of the stylet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion includes a first portion exhibiting increased flexibility as compared with the flexibility of a second, adjacent portion of the distal end portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter system of claim 15 wherein the first portion has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to a cross-sectional dimension of the second, adjacent portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion further comprises a projection extending from the catheter, the projection having a configuration asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is integral with or attached to the catheter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a housing containing electrically conducting reeds having a predetermined elasticity such that the electrical state of the sensor changes in response to the presence of the magnetic field or magnetic flux at a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter system of claim 19 wherein the electrical reeds are forced into contact with one another in the presence the magnetic field or magnetic flux at the predetermined threshold level, thereby allowing electricity to flow through the sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the catheter is a duodenal catheter positionable within a patient's duodenum.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the catheter is a vascular catheter positionable within a patient's vasculature.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for intubating a patient, the method comprising: (a) providing a catheter having a distal end portion and comprising a sensor provided at the distal end portion and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient's body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient; (b) providing the external magnet; (c) placing the distal end portion of the catheter inside the body of a patient; (d) placing the external magnet in a position that is external to the body of the patient and proximate to the sensor; (e) confirming the proximity of the external magnet and the distal end portion by monitoring the signal provided by the sensor; and (f) manipulating the external magnet to position the distal end portion of the catheter at a selected location within the body of the patient.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for intubating a patient, the method comprising: (a) providing a catheter having a distal end portion and comprising a sensor provided at the distal end portion and a magnetically responsive element selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor provides a signal in response to a magnetic field or magnetic flux, from a magnet, of a magnitude sufficient to ensure that the magnetically responsive element is magnetically coupled to the magnet positioned external a patient's body when the distal end portion of the catheter is inside the body of the patient; (b) providing the external magnet; (c) placing the distal end portion of the catheter inside the body of a patient; (d) placing the external magnet in a position that is external to the body of the patient and proximate to the sensor; (e) confirming the proximity of the external magnet and the distal end portion by monitoring the signal provided by the sensor; and (f) manipulating the external magnet to position the distal end portion of the catheter at a selected location within the body of the patient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the distal end portion includes a ferromagnetic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the magnetically responsive element is a permanent magnet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the distal end portion includes a first portion exhibiting increased flexibility as compared with the flexibility of a second, adjacent portion of the distal end portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the first portion has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to a cross-sectional dimension of the second, adjacent portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the distal end portion further comprises a projection extending from the catheter, the projection having a configuration asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of said catheter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the distal end portion of the catheter is placed inside the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in step (c).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the distal end portion of the catheter is placed inside the vasculature of a patient in step (c).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catheter system for intubation of a patient, comprising a catheter having a distal end and suitable for duodenal insertion, a permanent magnet provided at the distal end, a sensor provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor comprises a housing containing electrically conducting reeds having a predetermined elasticity such that the electrical state of the sensor changes in response to the presence of a magnetic field or magnetic flux at a predetermined threshold level, thereby providing a first signal indicating said presence, and an indicator in communication with the sensor, wherein the indicator provides an audio, visual, or tactile second signal when triggered by the first signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catheter system for intubation of a patient, comprising a catheter having a distal end and suitable for duodenal insertion, a permanent magnet provided at the distal end, a sensor provided at the distal end, wherein the sensor comprises a housing containing electrically conducting reeds having a predetermined elasticity such that the electrical state of the sensor changes in response to the presence of a magnetic field or magnetic flux at a predetermined threshold level, thereby providing a first signal indicating said presence, and an indicator in communication with the sensor, wherein the indicator provides an audio, visual, or tactile second signal when triggered by the first signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter system of claim 31 further comprising an external magnet which generates the threshold level of the magnetic field or magnetic flux.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |