Magnetic sensor for jaw tracking device

• US 4,765,345 A
• Filed: 02/18/1987
• Issued: 08/23/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Myo-Tronics Research Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Myo-Tronics Research Incorporated
• Inventors: Adib, Fray
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/015,918
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1.4, 128/1.5, 128/723, 128/774, 128/777, 128/782, 33/179.5 R, 433/68, 433/69, 310/68 R, 318/254, 323/357, 324/219, 324/220, 324/234-236, 324/251, 324/260
• US Class Current: 600/590
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/045 for recording mandibular movement, e.g. face bows
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 52/80 Constructional details

Abstract

A magnetic field sensor for use in a jaw tracking device. The sensor includes a Hall effect generator (110) and a pair of flux concentrators (112, 114). The Hall effect generator has first (116) and second (118) sensing faces disposed on opposite sides of the generator. Each flux concentrator comprises a strip of concentrator material formed into a U-shape, with a pair of opposed, mutually parallel side members (120, 122, 130, 132) interconnected at one end by a cross member (124, 134). The generator and flux concentrators are positioned such that the cross members are adjacent and parallel to the respective sensing faces, with the side members extending away from one another in a direction normal to the sensing faces. The sensor also preferably includes a metal-filled adhesive (140) having a high thermal conductivity bonding each cross member to its respective sensing face.

Claims

1. A magnetic field sensor for use in a jaw tracking device to monitor motion of a patient'"'"'s mandible, the sensor comprising:

a Hall effect generator having first and second sensing faces disposed on opposite sides of the generator;

a pair of flux concentrators, each flux concentrator comprising a strip of concentrator material formed into a U-shape with a pair of opposed, mutually parallel side members interconnected at one end by a cross member; and

means for mounting the generator and flux concentrators such that the cross members are positioned adjacent and parallel to the respective sensing faces, and such that the side members extend away from one another along a direction normal to the sensing faces.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the means for mounting the generator and flux concentrators comprises a metal-filled adhesive bonding each cross member to its respective sensing face.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the cross members are positioned to not be in direct contact with the generator.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein the adhesive fills the space formed between the cross members and the generator.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pair of flux concentrators comprise a first flux concentrator and a second flux concentrator, and further wherein the side members of the first flux concentrator are positioned to be parallel to the side members of the second flux concentrators.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the side members have lengths substantially greater than the lengths of the cross members.