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Systems and methods for determining the location of an implanted device including a magnet

  • US 5,944,023 A
  • Filed: 10/07/1997
  • Issued: 08/31/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for determining the location of an implantable device within the body of a patient, comprising:

  • an implantable device having a tip adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body;

    a generator mechanism positioned at the tip of the implantable device having a self-induced direct current magnetic field;

    at least one reference magnet positionable adjacent to the patient'"'"'s body and having a magnetic field; and

    a detector detached from the generator mechanism which detects the magnetic field generated by the generator mechanism so that the location of the tip of the implantable device in the patient'"'"'s body may be determined and which detects the magnetic field of the reference magnet, the detector including a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in a spaced array and a tracking monitor operatively connected to the sensors, wherein the tracking monitor is configured to visually display a position of the reference magnet and display movement of the tip of the implantable device within the body based on input from the plurality of magnetic sensors, the plurality of magnetic sensors configured for stationary placement relative to the body of the patient.

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