Patent ID: 8409103
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for positioning an instrument in the venous system of a body, comprising: inserting the instrument within a vein of the venous system; acquiring patient specific data using the instrument prior to moving the instrument within the vein; transmitting an in vivo non-imaging ultrasound signal into the vein using an ultrasound transducer on a distal portion of the instrument; receiving a reflected in vivo non-imaging ultrasound signal from the vein using the instrument; processing, using a processor, the reflected in vivo non-imaging ultrasound signal to generate a processed ultrasound signal; calculating, using the processor, one or more non-pulsatile blood flow features extracted from the processed ultrasound signal, wherein the one or more non-pulsatile blood flow features includes a ratio of a blood flow velocity away from the ultrasound transducer and a blood flow velocity towards the ultrasound transducer; determining, using the processor, a position of the instrument within the venous system based on the calculated one or more non-pulsatile blood flow features; displaying to a user a first indication of the determined position within the venous system; moving the instrument based on whether the displayed first indication is a desired indication; and determining, using the processor, whether the instrument has reached the superior vena cava based on the calculated one or more non-pulsatile blood flow features.