Patent · US Expired

Ferromagnetic foreign body detection using magnetics

US6418335B2 · kind B2 · utility

126Cited by
35References
45Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 2000
Grant dateJul 9, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/05
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A probe instrument using room-temperature sensor(s) that can measure magnetic susceptibilities variations. The instrument includes room temperature magnetic sensors, and detects the sample, that is the tissue response to an applied field coil. The sensors that can be used include magnetoresistive, fluxgate and magnetoinductive sensors. The applied field coil dimensions are chosen so that the applied field is optimized for maximum response from the item of interest while minimizing the effects due to the overlying tissue and at the same time not unduly increasing the sensitivity of the instrument to adjacent organs. To minimize noise introduced in the sensor due to fluctuations in the applied field, the applied field is canceled at the position of the sensor. To overcome variations in the sensor output due to fluctuations in the applied field, change in the ambient temperature and mechanical relaxation of the instrument, the detector assembly is oscillated while the examined patient remains stationary.

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