Implantable Medical Device Detection

• US 20070265685A1
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Zeijlemaker, Volkert
• Granted Patent: US 9,549,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/287 involving active visualization of interventional instruments, e.g. using active tracking RF coils or coils for intentionally creating magnetic field inhomogeneities
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3692 involving signal transmission without using electrically conductive connections, e.g. wireless communication or optical communication of the MR signal or an auxiliary signal other than the MR signal

Abstract

A detection unit and a method for detecting an implanted medical device in an MRI environment employ a telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.

Claims

1. An implanted medical device detection unit for use in conjunction with an MRI system, the unit comprising:

a signal receiver adapted to receive a telemetry transmission from the medical device; and

a signal generator coupled to the signal receiver, the signal generator adapted to send a signal indicating a presence of the device to an operator of the MRI system upon receipt of the telemetry transmission.

2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal is visual.

3. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal is audible.

4. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to the signal receiver, the controller adapted to alter function of the MRI system upon receipt of the telemetry transmission.

5. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal receiver includes transmitter capability to transmit an activation signal to the medical device thereby activating the telemetry transmission.

6. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a monitor and wherein the signal is displayed on the monitor.

7. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal includes instructions for monitoring the medical device.

8. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal includes information concerning a type of the medical device.

9. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal includes information concerning a particular identity of the medical device.

10. The unit of claim 1, wherein the signal includes information concerning programmed parameters of the medical device.

11. An MRI system, comprising:

a signal receiver adapted to receive a telemetry transmission from an implanted medical device; and

a signal generator coupled to the signal receiver, the signal generator adapted to send a signal indicating a presence of the device upon receipt of the telemetry transmission.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal generator sends the signal to an operator of the MRI system, the signal being displayed on a monitor.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal generator sends the signal to an operator of the MRI system, the signal including instructions for monitoring of the medical device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal includes information concerning at least one of the following:

a type of the medical device, a particular identity of the medical device, and programmed parameters of the medical device.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a controller coupled to the signal receiver, the controller adapted to alter function of the MRI system upon receipt of the telemetry transmission.

16. A method for detecting an implanted medical device in an MRI environment, the method comprising:

activating a telemetry transmission from the device via a static magnetic field of the MRI system;

receiving the telemetry transmission into a detection unit associated with an MRI system; and

detecting the device based on receipt of the transmission.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising sending a detection signal, indicating a presence of the device to an operator in the MRI environment, upon receipt of the telemetry transmission.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising sending a control signal upon receipt of the telemetry transmission, the control signal causing at least one of the following:

disablement of radio-frequency and gradient field generators of the MRI system,

activation of a low SAR scanning mode of the MRI system, and activation of scanning synchronized on cardiac events detected by the medical device.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising sending a signal to a display monitor of the MRI system upon receipt of the telemetry transmission.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the signal includes at least one of the following:

a warning of the presence of the medical device, instructions for monitoring the medical device, type identification of the medical device, and particular identification of the medical device.