Patent · US Expired

Position sensing and detection of skin impedance

US7756576B2 · kind B2 · utility

187Cited by
13References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 26, 2005
Grant dateJul 13, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 19, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2034/2053
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for determining in near realtime the position of a probe placed within a living body. Electric currents are driven between one or more electrodes on the probe and electrodes placed on the body surface. The impedance between the probe and each of the body surface electrodes is measured, and three-dimensional position coordinates of the probe are determined based on the impedance measurements. Dynamic compensation is provided for changing impedance of the body surface and its interface with the electrodes, resulting from such causes as electrode peel-off and changes in moisture and temperature. The compensation improves the accuracy of, inter alia, medical procedures, such as mapping the heart or performing ablation to treat cardiac arrhythmias.

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