Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the distance between sensors using ultrasound

A medical device position detector device comprising:

• a first sound transceiver configured to send and receive one or more sound signals at a frequency in a range from about 5 kilohertz to about 40 kilohertz to or from a second sound transceiver;
• and
• a first electromagnetic signal receiver unit configured to receive an electromagnetic signal from a medical device comprising an electromagnetic signal generator;
• and
• shielding between the transceiver and the electromagnetic signal receiver unit configured to prevent electromagnetic signal interference between the transceiver and the electromagnetic signal receiver unit;
• wherein the first sound transceiver and the first electromagnetic signal receiver unit are each configured to be operatively coupled to a processor;
• wherein the first sound transceiver is disposed within a first housing, wherein the first housing comprises a lower surface having a fixation mechanism and an upper surface having an opening therethrough and a first cover covering the opening through which sound waves may penetrate.

A method of determining distances between medical device position detector devices, the method comprising steps of:

• providing a first position detector device having a first sensor configured to detect the position of a medical device within a patient's body, the first position detector device comprising a first sound transceiver, wherein the first position detector device is operatively coupled to a processor, further wherein the first position detector device is disposed in a first housing, and wherein a first electromagnetic shield is within the first housing between the first sensor and the first sound transceiver;
• providing a second position detector device having a second sensor configured to detect the position of a medical device within a patient, the second position detector device comprising a second sound transceiver, wherein the second position detector device is operatively coupled to the processor, further wherein the second position detector device is disposed in a second housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing each comprise a lower surface having a fixation mechanism and an upper surface having an opening therethrough and a cover covering the opening through which sound waves may penetrate;
• placing the first position detector device and the second position detector device in a predetermined arrangement on a target;
• generating a transmission signal via the first sound transceiver, wherein the transmission signal is a sound at a frequency in a range from about 5 kilohertz to about 40 kilohertz, wherein the transmission signal is received by the second sound transceiver;
• sending a signal from the second position detector device to the processor relating to the transmission signal received by the second sound transceiver;
• calculating the distance between the first position detector device and the second position detector device;
• generating a transmission signal via the second sound transceiver, wherein the transmission signal is received by the first sound transceiver;
• sending a signal from the first position detector device to the processor relating to the transmission signal received by the first sound transceiver;
• and
• calculating the distance between the second position detector device and the first position detector device.