Patent ID: 6705319
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for acoustically detecting the location of a distal end of a tube relative to a body conduit into which the tube is being inserted, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end formed for insertion into the body conduit, the apparatus comprising:a speaker positioned to generate a sound pulse in the tube; a first microphone for detecting a sound pulse in the tube at a distal position relative to the speaker, and for generating a first signal corresponding to the detected sound pulse; a second microphone for detecting a sound pulse at a position in the tube between the first microphone and the speaker, and for generating a second signal corresponding to a detected sound pulse; and a processor configured to receive the first and second signals and to discriminate between a distally traveling sound pulse and a proximally traveling sound pulse as the distal end of the tube is moved relative to the body conduit, the processor using the first or second signal generated from detection of the proximally traveling sound pulse to determine and report the location of the distal end of the tube relative to the body conduit.