Metal detector for the localization of a metallic foreign body penetrated or implanted into a human or animal body

• US 5,649,546 A
• Filed: 08/09/1994
• Issued: 07/22/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ulrich Steinbeck
• Original Assignee: Ulrich Steinbeck
• Inventors: Steinbeck, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Rimell, Sam
• Application Number:
  US08/175,364
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 340/551, 340/500, 340/552, 128/630, 128/632, 128/634, 128/734, 128/737
• US Class Current: 600/550
• 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: G01V 3/102 by measuring amplitude

Abstract

The invention relates to a metal detecting device for the localization of a metallic foreign body penetrated or implanted into a human or animal body, comprising coil facilities (19) arranged inside a sensor pin (10) and connected with a measuring amplifier, the output signals of which, as a degree for the field influence caused by the metallic foreign body, are evaluatable by a measuring comparator, said metal detecting device allowing a three-dimensional and one-hand controlled detection of metallic foreign bodies (FIG. 1).

Claims

1. A metal detecting device for localizing a foreign metal body which has penetrated or been implanted in a human or animal body, the metal detecting device comprising a measuring amplifier for producing output signals, a sensor connected to the measuring amplifier, a coil member mounted in the sensor, and a measuring comparator for evaluating the output signals of the measuring amplifier as a measure of a field influence caused by the foreign metal body, wherein said measuring comparator comprises an indicating device, and wherein the indicating device comprises a maximum value memory and display, further comprising an actual display simultaneously operated with the maximum value memory and display.

2. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, comprising a power supply unit for delivering a high-frequency voltage, wherein the sensor is connected to the supply unit.

3. The metal detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the frequency of the power supply unit is between 500 and 600 kHz.

4. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring comparator comprises a change-over switch for adjusting different measuring sensitivities of the measuring comparator.

5. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, comprising an A/D converter connecting the measuring amplifier to the measuring comparator.

6. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the indicating device is one of a bar-like LED-display, a bar chart display and an audible display.

7. The metal detecting device according to claim 4, further comprising an automatic microprossor-controlled unit for controlling the sensitivity.

8. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, comprising an evaluation device and a flexible cable connecting the sensor to the evaluation device.

9. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, comprising an evaluation device and an infrared transmission line connecting the sensor to the evaluation device.

10. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a handle, the indicating device being integrated into the handle of the sensor.

11. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a handle, an evaluation device being integrated into the handle of the sensor.

12. The metal detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the coil member comprises a ferrite core and a sensor coil wound onto the ferrite core, the sensor comprising a pin-shaped sensor head, the sensor coil being mounted in the sensor head.