Apparatus and method for locating a medical tube in the body of a patient
US5622169A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0127
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is disclosed an apparatus and method for locating a medical tube within the body of a patient. The medical tube is located by a detection apparatus which senses the static magnetic field strength gradient generated by a magnet associated with the medical tube and indicates the value of the gradient to the user. The detection apparatus is moved about the body of the patient until the greatest gradient magnitude is indicated. The detection apparatus distinguishes the field strength of the magnet associated with the medical tube from the earth's field strength by sensing the magnet's field strength at two different distances from the magnet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.