Patent · US Expired

Endoscope form detecting apparatus in which coil is fixedly mounted by insulating member so that form is not deformed within endoscope

US6059718A · kind A · utility

468Cited by
18References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 1995
Grant dateMay 9, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/065
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Magnetic-field generating elements or magnetic-field detecting elements are fixed into an insertion part having elasticity, which is inserted into a subject, by an insulating material while ensuring that forms of the respective magnetic-field generating elements or the respective magnetic-field detecting elements are not changed. Even when the insertion part is bent, there is no change in either the function of magnetic-field generation or the function of magnetic-field detection. Magnetic-field detecting elements or magnetic-field generating elements which are arranged at known positions around the subject are combined with each other to calculate three-dimensional positions of the magnetic-field generating elements or the magnetic-field detecting elements within the insertion part. Further, a form of the insertion part is estimated, and a three-dimensional image corresponding to a form of the insertion part is produced. Moreover, a three-dimensional image is projected onto a screen surface to display a stereoscopic image corresponding to the form of the insertion part.

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