Multi-parameter sensor system with intravascular navigation for catheter/guide wire application

Interventional radiology is a medical speciality, which uses medical tools such as guide wires and catheters to diagnose and treat vascular diseases. To navigate these tools to the place of intervention, X-ray imaging is extensively used, creating an important health risk to the medical staff and to the patient. To reduce the radiation dose, an electromagnetic navigation system is currently being developed. Once the correct position has been attained with the guide wire, the catheter can be brought into place. In many cases, the intervention radiologist requires a number of measurements to assess the situation and the treatment required. To achieve this, a multi-sensor chip has been developed for blood flow, pressure and oxygen saturation level, with dimensions suitable for catheter applications. The localisation system and the measurement system will be presented in this paper. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.