System for locating implantable medical device
First Claim
1. A system for locating an implantable medical device, comprising:
- the implantable device, the device comprising;
a transmitter capable of generating output signals;
a coil array comprising a first receiving coil, a second receiving coil and a third receiving coil, the coils emitting sensed signals in response to receiving at least portions of the output signals, and a processor operably coupled to the first, second and third coils to receive the sensed signals, the processor determining the respective levels of energy sensed by the first, second and third coils, the processor intermittently determining the level of energy received by the first, second and third receiving coils, the processor further comprising means for determining whether the level of energy sensed by the first coil, the second coil or the third coil exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for locating an implantable medical device. The system consists of a flat “pancake” antenna coil positioned concentric with the implantable medical device target, e.g. the drug reservoir septum. The system further features a three location antenna array which is separate from the implantable device and external to the patient. The antenna array features three or more separate antennas which are used to sense the energy emitted from the implanted antenna coil. The system further features a processor to process the energy ducted by the antenna array. The system senses the proximity to the implant coil and, thus, the implant device by determining when an equal amount of energy is present in each of the antennas of the antenna array and if each such ducted energy is greater than a predetermined minimum. When such a condition is met, the antenna array is aligned with the implant coil. Thus the needle port through the antenna array is lined up with the septum of the drug reservoir. Alternative embodiments are further disclosed in which the processor and antenna array are positioned within the implanted device while the coil is external to the patient.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for locating an implantable medical device, comprising:
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the implantable device, the device comprising;
a transmitter capable of generating output signals;
a coil array comprising a first receiving coil, a second receiving coil and a third receiving coil, the coils emitting sensed signals in response to receiving at least portions of the output signals, and a processor operably coupled to the first, second and third coils to receive the sensed signals, the processor determining the respective levels of energy sensed by the first, second and third coils, the processor intermittently determining the level of energy received by the first, second and third receiving coils, the processor further comprising means for determining whether the level of energy sensed by the first coil, the second coil or the third coil exceeds a predetermined threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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2. A system for locating an imlantable medical device, comprising:
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the implantable device, the device comprising;
transmitter capable of generating output signals;
a coil array comprising a first receiving coil and a second receiving coil, the coils emitting sensed signals in response to receiving at least portions of the output signals, and a processor operably coupled to the first and second coils to receive the sensed signals, the processor determining the respective levels of energy sensed by the first and second coils, the processor intermittently determining the level of energy received by the first and second receiving coils, the processor further comprising means for determining whether the level of energy sensed by the first coil or the second coil exceeds a predetermined threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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9. A method of locating an implantable medical device comprising a transmitter configured to transmit output signals therefrom and a plurality of receiving antennae configured in an array, the receiving antennae being configured to receive at least portions of the output signals, the receiving antennae further being operably connected to at least one processor configured to receive at least portions of the output signals and the process such signals, the method comprising:
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transmitting output signals from the transmitter;
moving the array along an exterior surface of a patient;
determining the relative levels of energy received by the individual antennae in the array;
determining whether the levels of energy received by the individual antennae are substantially the same; and
upon determining that the levels of energy received by the individual antennae are substantially the same, emitting a device location signal to an operator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification