Lucent Medical Systems, Inc.

Other

Christopher P Somogyi

Robert N Golden

David R Haynor

Fred E Silverstein

Gary Brian Sanders

Andrei J Gonzales

Mika N Sinanan

There is disclosed a method and device for non-invasively sensing a physical parameter within the body of a patient by employing a magnetically-based sensing device and monitoring device. The magnetically-based sensing device has a first magnet and a second magnet which generate a combined magnet field. The first and second magnets are positioned such that a change in a physical parameter causes a change in the combined magnet field, which change is monitored by the monitoring device.

Non-invasive sensing of a physical parameter

A device to detect the location of a plurality of magnets uses a plurality of magnetic sensors, having sensor elements arranged in a known fashion. Each sensor element senses the magnetic field strength generated by each of the plurality of magnets and provides data indicative of the direction of the magnets in a three-dimensional space. The device uses fundamental equations for electricity and magnetism that relate the measured magnetic field strength to the location and strength of the magnetic dipole for each of the plurality of magnets. The device may use an iterative process to determine the actual location and orientation of each magnet. An initial estimation of the location and orientation of each magnet results in the generation of predicted magnetic field values. The predicted magnetic field values are compared with the actual measured values provided by the magnetic sensors. Based on a difference between the predicted values and the measured values, the device estimates a new location for each of the magnets and calculates new predicted magnetic field strength values. The iteration process continues until the predicted values match the measured values within a desired degree of tolerance. At this point, the estimated location and orientation of each of the magnets matches the actual location within a predetermined degree of tolerance.

System and method to determine the location and orientation of an indwelling medical device

A device to detect the location of a magnet coupled to an indwelling medical device within a patient uses three or more sets of magnetic sensors each having sensor elements arranged in a known fashion. Each sensor element senses the magnetic field strength generated by the magnet and provides data indicative of the direction of the magnet in a three-dimensional space. The device uses findamental equations for electricity and magnetism that relate measured magnetic field strength and magnetic field gradient to the location and strength of a magnetic dipole. The device uses an iterative process to determine the actual location and orientation of the magnet. An initial estimate of the location and orientation of the magnet results in the generation of predicted magnetic field values. The predicted magnetic field values are compared with the actual measured values provided by the magnetic sensors. Based on the difference between the predicted values and the measured values, the device estimates a new location of the magnet and calculates new predicted magnetic field strength values. This iteration process continues until the predicted values match the measured values within a desired degree of tolerance. At that point, the estimated location matches the actual location within a predetermined degree of tolerance. A two-dimensional display provides an indication of the location of the magnet with respect to the housing of the detector. A depth indicator portion of the display can be used to provide a relative or absolute indication of the depth of the magnet within the patient.

Method to determine the location and orientation of an indwelling medical device

An anatomical marker uses a permanent magnet to indicate a selected location within a patient. The magnet is enclosed within a non-degradable envelope and is coupled to a retention member that is preferably manufactured from a biodegradable material, such as a polyglucuronic acid based material. The retention member may include one or more barbs to retain the anatomical marker in the selected location. An insertion tool, usable with an endoscope, can insert the anatomical marker. A retention magnet is fixedly attached to the insertion tool and holds the anatomical marker in place due to the attractive magnetic forces between the retention magnet and the marker magnet in the non-biodegradable envelope. When the anatomical marker is securely fastened at the selected location in the patient, the forces exerted by the patient's body on the retention member exceed the attractive magnetic forces between the retention magnet and the magnet in the envelope, thus causing the anatomical marker to be released from the insertion tool. The location of the magnet may be subsequently detected using a magnetic detector system.

Magnetic anatomical marker and method of use

A device to detect the location of a magnet coupled to an indwelling medical device within a patient uses three or more sets of magnetic sensors each having sensor elements arranged in a known fashion. Each sensor element senses the magnetic field strength generated by the magnet and provides data indicative of the direction of the magnet in a three-dimensional space. The device uses fundamental equations for electricity and magnetism that relate measured magnetic field strength and magnetic field gradient to the location and strength of a magnetic dipole. The device uses an iterative process to determine the actual location and orientation of the magnet. An initial estimate of the location and orientation of the magnet results in the generation of predicted magnetic field values. The predicted magnetic field values are compared with the actual measured values provided by the magnetic sensors. Based on the difference between the predicted values and the measured values, the device estimates a new location of the magnet and calculates new predicted magnetic field strength values. This iteration process continues until the predicted values match the measured values within a desired degree of tolerance. At that point, the estimated location matches the actual location within a predetermined degree of tolerance. A two-dimensional display provides an indication of the location of the magnet with respect to the housing of the detector. A depth indicator portion of the display can be used to provide a relative or absolute indication of the depth of the magnet within the patient.

System and method to determine the location and orientation of an

There is disclosed a tracheal tube for insertion into the trachea of a patient. The tracheal tube includes a tube portion having a distal end, and a signal source associated with the tube portion at a predefined distance from its distal end. The tracheal tube is inserted into the trachea such that the signal source is immediately posterior to the patient's cricothyroid ligament. Methods related to confirming proper placement of the tracheal tube by detecting the signal source immediately posterior to the patient's cricothyroid ligament are also disclosed.

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Clyde Hill, WA, United States of America

Christopher P Somogyi