Sirius Medical Systems B.v.

Bram Schermers

Takeshi Kaneko

Hubert Cécile Francois Martens

Jeroen Hendrik Franken

Hubert Cecile Francois Martens

Hubert Martens

Theodoor Jacques Marie Ruers

Adrianus Cornelis Petrus Van Leijsen

Pietro Falgari

Bennie Ten Haken

A magnetic marker for use in locating tissue for surgery includes a casing and two to five magnetic elements arranged in a row. The two or more magnetic elements are separated from each other by an isolating material. The magnetic marker may be non-bio-absorbable. This means that the magnetic marker is invariable as it does not decay over time. This invariability ensures that on the basis of the signal measured by a magnetometer device a distance between a probe of the magnetometer device and the magnetic marker can be determined.

Magnetic marker, location detection system, introducer and method

During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, inaccuracies in locating the areas of interest mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. A magnetic field probeis provided that improves determination of a disposition of an implantable magnetic marker, the probe comprising a firstand secondmagnetic sensor, substantially disposed along a transverse axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the probe. The firstand secondmagnetic sensors are close to the distal endof the probe, and are separated by a minor sensor separation. A thirdmagnetic sensor is provided close to the proximal end, separated by a major sensor separation from the second magnetic sensorclose to the distal end, the major sensor separation being larger than the minor sensor separation; and the ratio of the major sensor separation to the minor sensor separation is in the range 1.25 to 40, preferably in the range 1.6 to 7.6. In this example, the second magnetic sensor is functionally configured and arranged to co-operate with both the first magnetic sensor and the third magnetic sensor. This may be implemented using three or more magnetic sensors. This provides a probe capable of accurately determining one or more dispositions of the implantable magnetic marker when the distal end of the probe is close to the marker and also when it is further away. In particular, including the pair of sensors close to the distal end may increase the sensitivity and accuracy of the probe.

Magnetic field probe for determining a disposition of an implantable magnetic marker

During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, health professionals need to accurately locate areas of interest. Inaccuracies may mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. Electro-magnetic and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) markers have been developed, but these are bulky and prone to failure. For example, any inaccuracy may result in an incomplete resection or removal of the lesion, requiring additional treatments. A magnetic field probeis provided for determining an angular dispositionof an implantable magnetic marker, the probe comprising: a first magnetic sensorclose to the distal end, and a second magnetic sensor, closer to a proximal end, configured to determine two or more magnetic field vectors of the marker; the probe being further configured: to define two or more marker detection zones, extending from the distal end; to determine the angular dispositionto the implantable marker; and to determine whether the angular dispositionsubstantially coincides with one of the two or more marker detection zones, thereby determining that the marker falls within the one marker detection zones. By defining two or more marker detection zones, and configuring the probe to determine whether the magnetic marker appears to be within the one marker detection zone, a simplified and intuitive decision algorithm is provided for indicating the disposition of the marker relative to the probe.

Magnetic field probe for determining a disposition of an implantable marker using two or more detection zones

Implantable magnetic markers (seeds) provide a higher degree of flexibility and convenience. The magnetic field that a marker provides is determined by the magnetic properties of the materials used and the dimensions of the marker&#x2014;in general, a larger marker is easier to locate. Larger diameter markers may be used, but they should be much smaller than the average tumor size if they are to provide a useful degree of localization. An implantable magnetic marker is provided with two or more magnetic elements comprising permanent magnets connected by a mechanical connector to resiliently retain a first orientation when deployed and a second orientation before and/or during implantation. This allows complex magnetic configurations to be implanted, while retaining a simplified implantation method independent of the number of magnetic elements used. The transverse extent of the magnetic marker may be significantly reduced for implantation, allowing smaller needle diameters (smaller needle gauges) to be used or a larger number of smaller marker elements. This also allows significantly less longitudinal extents to be used. In addition, the two or more magnetic elements may be aligned to increase the transverse extent by increasing the transverse extent after implantation. This may increase detectability.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Bram Schermers