US 2025/0012555 A1 · CURVE INDUCTIVE SENSOR

Abstract

Flexible, longitudinally extended sensors comprising variably inductive sensing material. Sensors connect to an external processing unit using as few as 2 connections. In operation, sensors measure inductance along their longitudinal extent (curve). Spectral de-multiplexing allows electrical property differences along sensors to be resolved. This enables shape tracking of the flexible sensor. The sensor principles are suitable for the production of ultra-small diameter probes (for example, smaller than 0.5 mm) of arbitrary length (for example, 30 cm long). There are potential advantages for cost efficiency and ease of manufacture.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A system configured to sense a magnetic field at one or more locations along a sensing region of a flexible and elongated probe body, the system comprising:

the elongated probe body;
a flexible sensing circuit comprising inductance density along the sensing region;
a processor configured to:
sense total inductances of the flexible sensing circuit for each of a plurality of different electrical current values passed through the circuit;
and
determine sensed magnetic field for the one or more locations along the sensing region.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/711,637Filed 21 Nov 2022

Priority

21 Nov 2021

Published

9 Jan 2025

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

G01B 7/281
For measuring contours or curvatures: for measuring contour or curvature along an axis, e.g. axial curvature of a pipeline or along a series of…
A61B 5/062
Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing…
A61B 5/065
Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies ; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body…:…
A61B 5/066
Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on…

Family

Application63/281,686Us provisional application · filed 21 Nov 2021

Application63/341,062Us provisional application · filed 12 May 2022

Application63/406,787Us provisional application · filed 15 Sep 2022

US 2025/0012555 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Curve inductive sensor

Life of this patent

Curve inductive sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28