High-sensitivity pressure-sensing probe
First Claim
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1. A medical probe, comprising:
- an insertion tube, having a longitudinal axis and having a distal end;
a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with a body tissue;
a joint, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube; and
a joint sensor, contained within the probe, for sensing a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, the joint sensor comprising first and second subassemblies, which are disposed within the probe on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each comprise one or more magnetic transducers, the joint sensor being configured to generate a signal indicative of an axial displacement and an orientation of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, wherein one of the first and second subassemblies is coupled to be driven by an electrical current to emit at least one magnetic field, and the other of the first and second subassemblies is coupled to output one or more signals in response to the at least one magnetic field, and wherein the signals are indicative of the position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube.
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Abstract
A medical probe includes an insertion tube, having a longitudinal axis and having a distal end. A distal tip is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with a body tissue. A joint couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube. A joint sensor, contained within the probe, senses a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube. The joint sensor includes first and second subassemblies, which are disposed within the probe on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each include one or more magnetic transducers.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A medical probe, comprising:
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an insertion tube, having a longitudinal axis and having a distal end; a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with a body tissue; a joint, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube; and a joint sensor, contained within the probe, for sensing a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, the joint sensor comprising first and second subassemblies, which are disposed within the probe on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each comprise one or more magnetic transducers, the joint sensor being configured to generate a signal indicative of an axial displacement and an orientation of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, wherein one of the first and second subassemblies is coupled to be driven by an electrical current to emit at least one magnetic field, and the other of the first and second subassemblies is coupled to output one or more signals in response to the at least one magnetic field, and wherein the signals are indicative of the position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a body of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a probe, which comprises; an insertion tube, having a longitudinal axis and having a distal end; a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with tissue of the body; a joint, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube; and a joint sensor, contained within the probe, for sensing a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, the joint sensor comprising first and second subassemblies, which are disposed within the probe on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each comprise one or more magnetic transducers; and a processor, which is coupled to apply a current to one of the first and second subassemblies, thereby causing the one of the subassemblies to generate at least one magnetic field, and which is coupled to receive and process one or more signals output by the other of the first and second subassemblies responsively to the at least one magnetic field so as to detect changes in a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for sensing movement of a joint in an assembly having a longitudinal axis passing through the joint, the apparatus comprising:
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first and second sensing subassemblies, which are disposed within the assembly on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each comprise one or more magnetic transducers; and a processor, which is coupled to apply a current to one of the first and second assemblies, thereby causing the one of the assemblies to generate at least one magnetic field, and which is coupled to receive and process one or more signals output by the other of the first and second assemblies responsively to the at least one magnetic field so as to detect changes in a disposition of the joint. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for performing a medical procedure on tissue in a body of a patient, the method comprising:
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applying to the body a probe, which comprises an insertion tube and a distal tip, which is coupled to a distal end of the insertion tube by a joint, and which comprises a joint sensor, which is contained within the probe and comprises first and second subassemblies, which are disposed within the probe on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each comprise one or more magnetic transducers; advancing the probe so that the distal tip engages and applies a pressure against the tissue, so as to cause a change in a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube; applying a current to one of the first and second subassemblies, thereby causing the one of the subassemblies to generate at least one magnetic field; and receiving and processing one or more signals output by the other of the first and second subassemblies responsively to the at least one magnetic field so as to detect the change in the position of the distal tip. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification