Four-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance–Based Pericardial Puncture Assistance System

Project description

Overview Dry pericardiocentesis is risky because the “target space” is small and the heart can be inadvertently penetrated, while conventional guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy) has limitations and introduces radiation exposure. This patent proposes using bioelectrical impedance as an additional, real-time signal: as the needle advances through different tissues, the measured impedance changes in characteristic ways, helping the operator judge whether the needle tip has reached the pericardial cavity. Main Content image from clevelandclinic.org The disclosed system consists of (1) a hollow…