Method and apparatus for sensing field strength signals to estimate location of a wireless implantable marker
First Claim
1. In a medical system for sensing an excitable leadless marker capable of being implanted in and/or affixed to a body, an apparatus comprising:
- a rigid support member;
multiple electromagnetic field sensors arranged in a locally planar array on the support member;
multiple sense signal output paths carried by the support member, wherein each sense signal output path is coupled to a single one of the electromagnetic field sensors such that each sense signal output path provides an output signal that represents a substantially perpendicular field component from a single one of the field sensors; and
multiple preamplifiers, wherein each preamplifier is coupled to one of the sense signal output paths, and wherein each preamplifier is a differential amplifier having a high voltage protection snubbing network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus for use in a system that senses an excitable wireless target capable of being implanted in a body or tissue. The apparatus includes multiple electromagnetic field sensors arranged approximately in a common plane, and multiple sense signal output paths coupled to the sensors. Each one of the sensors and corresponding output paths is configured to provide an output signal representing at least a portion of an electromagnetic field provided by the marker, where the output signal is proportional to a component of the field at the sensor, where that component is substantially perpendicular to the plane. Various other configurations regarding this apparatus, as well as the overall system and methods of exciting and receiving signals from wireless markers, are also disclosed.
151 Citations
42 Claims
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1. In a medical system for sensing an excitable leadless marker capable of being implanted in and/or affixed to a body, an apparatus comprising:
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a rigid support member; multiple electromagnetic field sensors arranged in a locally planar array on the support member; multiple sense signal output paths carried by the support member, wherein each sense signal output path is coupled to a single one of the electromagnetic field sensors such that each sense signal output path provides an output signal that represents a substantially perpendicular field component from a single one of the field sensors; and multiple preamplifiers, wherein each preamplifier is coupled to one of the sense signal output paths, and wherein each preamplifier is a differential amplifier having a high voltage protection snubbing network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a system for energizing a wireless marker to cause the wireless marker to emit a magnetic field signal, and for determining a position of the wireless marker based on the emitted magnetic field signal, wherein the wireless marker is capable of being implanted in and/or affixed to a body, an apparatus for use in the system to receive the emitted magnetic field signal, comprising:
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a support panel having a support sheet, a core, a first outer cover and a second outer cover laminated together; an array of at least three locally planar magnetic field sensors at least partially carried by the support panel and configured to sense substantially normal components of the magnetic field signal at different locations on the support panel, and wherein the field sensors comprise spiral traces of a conductive material on the support sheet; and three or more active output ports, wherein the active output ports are individually coupled to corresponding magnetic field sensors such that each active output port receives a signal from a single magnetic field sensor and provides an output signal corresponding to one component of the magnetic field signal at the single field sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. In a system for sensing and localizing an excitable wireless marker in or on a human, a sensing system for wirelessly sensing a field emitted by the marker comprising:
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a locally planar support panel comprising a support sheet, a core, a first outer cover and a second outer cover laminated together; and a sensor array including at least four field sensors carried by the support panel, the field sensors being at least substantially similar and locally planar relative to each other, wherein the field sensors comprise spiral traces of a conductive material on the support sheet, and wherein each field sensor is responsive only to substantially normal field components relative to the sensors. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. In an application for localizing an implantable marker configured to emit a wirelessly transmitted field for measurement from a predetermined sensing distance, a sensing system comprising:
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a support member including a support sheet, a core, a first outer cover and a second outer cover laminated together to form a rigid panel; and a plurality of field sensors carried by the support member, the field sensors being at least substantially locally planar relative to one another and responsive to field components normal to individual field sensors, the field sensors including coils having a spiral trace of a conductive material on the support sheet, and the field sensors occupy an area having maximum dimension of approximately 100% to 300% of the predetermined sensing distance. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A system for determining a target location in a patient, comprising:
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a marker having a resonating magnetic circuit configured to wirelessly transmit a field in response to a wirelessly transmitted excitation signal; and a sensing system comprising (a) a substantially rigid support member including a support sheet, a core, a first outer cover and a second outer cover laminated together and (b) a sensor array including at least four field sensors carried by the support member, and the field sensors being at least a substantially similar and locally planar relative to each other, and wherein the field sensors comprise spiral traces on the support sheet. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. In a medical system for sensing an excitable leadless marker capable of being implanted in and/or affixed to a body, an apparatus comprising:
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a rigid support member; multiple electromagnetic field sensors arranged in a locally planar array on the support member; multiple sense signal output paths carried by the support member, wherein each sense signal output path is coupled to a single one of the electromagnetic field sensors such that each sense signal output path provides an output signal that represents a substantially perpendicular field component from a single one of the field sensors; at least one electromagnetic field sensor arranged perpendicular to the electromagnetic field sensors arranged in a locally planar array and configured to receive the electromagnetic field emanating from excitation of the leadless marker in a dimension perpendicular to the electromagnetic field sensors arranged in a locally planar array; and multiple preamplifiers, wherein each preamplifier is coupled to one of the sense signal output paths, and wherein each preamplifier is a differential amplifier having a high voltage protection snubbing network.
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Specification