Patent · US Expired

Magnetic field concentration means and method for an implanted device

US4340038A · kind A · utility

83Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 1980
Grant dateJul 20, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/031
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A magnetic field concentration means and method for use in conjunction with an implanted device responsive to an externally generated magnetic field. More specifically, a magnetic field concentrator is disclosed which includes a metallic slug located between a magnetic field generator and a magnetic pick-up coil contained in the implanted device. The metallic slug concentrates magnetic lines of flux at the pick-up coil. In a specific embodiment, the implanted device is an intracranial pressure monitoring device (ICPM) which is located within an orifice formed in a recipient's skull. The magnetic field concentrator is positioned within the orifice and directly above the ICPM, thereby concentrating magnetic flux lines at the ICPM. Two configurations of the slug are disclosed, one being in the form of a cylinder and the other being in the form of a truncated cone. In another application of the concentrator, a bandage or other suitable holding means positions the slug externally to the implanted device, thereby again concentrating magnetic lines of flux at the implanted device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.