Optical coupling for invasive devices
US5882305A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/4804
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical coupling is incorporated into an invasive device used in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The coupling is incorporated into the invasive device between an imaging or tracking RF coil, and the MR receiver. The optical coupling has a first transducer circuit coupled to the RF which converts between optical and electrical signals. An optical fiber is coupled to the first transducer circuit and extends out of the invasive device to medical imaging equipment. Near this equipment, a second transducer circuit converts optical signals to electrical, and electrical signals to optical, just opposite that of the first transducer circuit. The present invention thereby replaces long lead wires which can cause heating during MR imaging, and may distort an MR image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.