| abstract |
Catheters incorporating an electromagnetic field detection device for use in conjunction with a catheter locating apparatus to determine the position of a catheter without the use of X-rays is disclosed. The electromagnetic field detection device includes a pair of leads incorporated into the wall of the catheter and a coil of fine wire located at the distal end of the catheter. In a closed end catheter embodiment, a core of magnetically permeable material is located inside the coil. In an open ended catheter embodiment the core is either omitted or a hollow core is used. In a Venous catheter embodiment, one way valves are located in the sidewall of the catheter near the catheter's distal end. The one way valves permit the injection of fluid into tissue through the catheter while preventing blood from flowing into the catheter. The incorporation of the electromagnetic field detection device directly into the catheter of the present invention permits continuous and/or periodic catheter location monitoring to be performed without the use of X-rays. Furthermore, the flexibility problems and risk of breaking the guide wire attached to the known removable detector device is avoided. In various embodiments, a radio-opaque strip is incorporated into the catheters of the present invention permitting a permanent record of the catheters position to be made and placed in a patients file using conventional X-rays. |