Surgical implement detector utilizing capacitive coupling

• US 5,188,126 A
• Filed: 03/25/1992
• Issued: 02/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl E. Fabian, Philip M. Anderson
• Original Assignee: Carl E. Fabian, Philip M. Anderson
• Inventors: Fabian, Carl E., Anderson, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PONTIUS, KEVIN LANE
• Application Number:
  US07/857,222
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 128/631, 128/654, 128/899, 128/903, 600/12, 600/13, 600/20, 604/362, 606/1
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0804 Counting number of instruments used; Instrument detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• 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: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue comprises a battery powdered marker. The marker is secured to the surgical implement and positioned within a surgical wound. A detection means has an antenna disposed in close proximity of the tissue. Means are provided for capacitance coupling of both the marker and the antenna to the tissue. A field generating means generates an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band within the tissue and a signal generating means generates a signal having a predetermined frequency band ranging from about 10 MHz to 1 GHz. The signal generated by the signal generating means causes the field generating means to generate the electromagnetic field providing the marker with signal identity.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue, comprising:

(a) a marker secured to a surgical implement adapted to be positioned adjacent tissue within a surgical wound, said marker being battery powered and including a starting means having a receiver means for receiving a first signal and a switch connected to said battery for activating said marker;

(b) detection means having (i) an interrogator means for generating and transmitting said first signal to said starting means, (ii) a signal processor means for receiving a second signal and (iii) an antenna adapted to be disposed in close proximity of said tissue, said antenna being a single and lead end being alternately connected to said interrogator means and said signal processor means for generating said first signal and receiving said second signal to detect said marker;

(c) means for capacitive coupling of said marker to said tissue;

(d) means for capacitive coupling of said antenna to said tissue;

(e) field generating means for transmitting an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band within said tissue; and

(f) signal generating means activated by said starting means in response to receipt of said first signal to cause said field generating means to transmit said electromagnetic field, providing said marker with signal identity, said starting means operating in response to said first signal to close said switch, connecting said signal generating means with said battery, said electromagnetic field being said second signal, said field generating means being a single end lead, and said frequency band being contained within a range of 10 MHz to about 1 GHz.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said detection means further includes an indicating means for providing an audible or visible alarm when said marker is activated.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said battery of said marker is rechargeable.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said marker further comprises a recharging means

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said recharging means of said marker is adapted to be inductively coupled to an external ac power source.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said recharging means of said marker is adapted to be directly connected to an external dc power source.

7. A method for detecting a surgical implement in human or animal tissue, comprising the steps of:

(a) attaching a marker to a surgical implement appointed for disposition adjacent tissue with a surgical wound;

the marker being battery powered;

(b) disposing an antenna in close proximity of said tissue;

(c) effecting capacitive coupling between said marker and said tissue;

(d) effecting capacitive coupling between said antenna and said tissue;

(e) transmitting an electromagnetic field upon receipt of a first signal, said electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency band within said tissue;

(f) generating said first signal to initiate transmission of said electromagnetic field, said electromagnetic field being a second signal that provides said marker with signal identity, said frequency band being within a range of about 10 MHz to about 1 GHz; and

(g) receiving said second signal to detect said marker.