Avent, Inc.

James F Tassitano

Karl Thomas Bjurbo

Hilton M Kaplan

Don J McMichael

Donald J McMichael

Eric Anthony Schepis

David M Page

An apparatus, system and method for detecting the distance between a plurality of position detectors using ultrasound includes a processor and a memory device. The system further includes first and second position detector devices each configured to detect the position of a medical device within a patient, the first position detector device including a first transceiver and being operatively coupled to the processor. The second position detector device includes a second transceiver and is operatively coupled to the processor. The first position detector device transmits a signal through the first transceiver and receives a signal from the second position detector device relating to the distance between the first and the second position detector devices. The processor calculates the distance between the first position detector device and the second position detector device. Each transceiver is configured to transmit and receive one or more sound signals in the audio or ultrasonic range.

Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the distance between sensors using ultrasound

A tubing assembly for use with an electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter and a stimulation electrode assembly, and an electrical connection for delivering a stimulation waveform to the stimulation electrode assembly. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive tract. The stimulation electrode assembly is configured to deliver an electrical stimulation to tissue. A catheter guidance system and method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive tract are also provided.

System and method for muscle stimulation and/or impedance measurement to verify proper tube placement

A tubing assembly for use with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter, an ultrasound transducer disposed within the catheter, and an optional additional external ultrasound transducer. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end defining a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive tract or respiratory tract. The ultrasound transducer can be located within the catheter's lumen, and the optional external ultrasound transducer can be located on or outside the patient's body. Both ultrasound transducers can transmit ultrasound signals as directed by a processor and can communicate with the processor to deliver ultrasound data to a display device. The attenuation of the ultrasound energy at a selected frequency can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract or respiratory tract. A catheter guidance system and method of use are also provided.

Airway detection using ultrasound

A tubing assembly for use with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter and an acoustic sensor. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive tract. The acoustic sensor can be located within the lumen of the catheter or in a sampling chamber connected to the catheter. The acoustic sensor can communicate with a processor to deliver sound data to a display device. The appearance of random spikes on a frequency versus time spectrogram can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract, while a rhythmic/repetitive pattern on a frequency versus time spectrogram can indicate placement of the catheter in the respiratory tract. A catheter guidance system and method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive tract are also provided.

System and method for acoustic sensing to verify proper nasogastric tube placement

A tubing assembly for electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and can include a catheter, an internal acoustic transducer and an external acoustic transducer. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has proximal and distal ends that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive or respiratory tract. The internal acoustic transducer can be located within the catheter's lumen, and the external acoustic transducer can be located on or outside the patient's body. The transducers can transmit and/or receive acoustic signals as directed by a processor and communicate with the processor to deliver sound data to a display device. The frequency response and/or attenuation of the signals can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract compared to the respiratory tract. A catheter guidance system and method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive or respiratory tract are also provided.

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

James F Tassitano