	US 11,723,725 B2
	System for detecting catheter electrodes entering into and exiting from an introducer
Daniel J. Potter, Stillwater, MN (US); and Lev A. Koyrakh, Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to ST JUDE MEDICAL, ATRIAL FIBRILLATION DIVISION INC., St Paul, MN (US)
Filed by St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/166,868.
Application 17/166,868 is a continuation of application No. 15/609,534, filed on May 31, 2017, granted, now 10,939,964.
Application 15/609,534 is a continuation of application No. 13/839,963, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, granted, now 9,693,820, issued on Jul. 4, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0228285 A1, Jul. 29, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 34/20 (2016.01); A61B 5/06 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01)

CPC A61B 34/20 (2016.02) [A61B 5/062 (2013.01); A61B 5/063 (2013.01); A61B 5/065 (2013.01); A61B 18/1492 (2013.01); A61M 25/0105 (2013.01); A61B 5/066 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00243 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00023 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00351 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00892 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00988 (2013.01); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2053 (2016.02); A61B 2090/061 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61B 2562/0257 (2013.01); A61M 25/0097 (2013.01); A61M 25/0147 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0166 (2013.01)]

19 Claims

1. A system comprising:

a catheter comprising a plurality of electrodes on a catheter distal portion; and

an introducer comprising a proximity sensor on an introducer distal portion;

wherein the catheter is configured to pass through the introducer; and

wherein the proximity sensor is configured to detect passage of at least one of the plurality of electrodes from the introducer distal portion, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes is configured to indicate location of the catheter within an electric field-based positioning system.