Patent · US Active

Location tracking of a metallic object in a living body using a radar detector and guiding an ultrasound probe to direct ultrasound waves at the location

US8352015B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
18References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 2008
Grant dateJan 8, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2562/164
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for determining and tracking location of a metallic object in a living body, and then directing a second modality such as ultrasound waves to the determined location. The metal detector may be a radar detector adapted to operate on a living body. The adaption may include disposing a transfer material having electromagnetic properties similar to the body between the radar detector and the living body, ECG gating the radar detector, and/or employing an optimal estimator with a model of expected stent movement in a living body. Applications include determination of extent of in-stent restenosis, performing therapeutic thrombolysis, or determining operational features of a metallic implant.

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