Patent ID: 7794407
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter, the central venous catheter having a portion disposed within the superior vena cava, a distal pair of electrodes, and a proximal pair of electrodes spaced longitudinally from the distal pair of electrodes, the method comprising: obtaining a distal electrical signal from the distal pair of electrodes; generating a first P wave from the distal electrical signal; determining a first deflection value of the first P wave; obtaining a proximal electrical signal from the proximal pair of electrodes; generating a second P wave from the proximal electrical signal; determining a second deflection value of the second P wave; calculating a first ratio from the first and second deflection values; obtaining a SVC deflection value; calculating a second ratio of one of the first and second deflection values to the SVC deflection value; and determining a location of the tip of the central venous catheter based on the first ratio and the second ratio.