Medical instrument location means
AssigneeMicronix Pty Ltd.
InventorsWilliam J. Besz, Donald P. Chorley, Robert A. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An instrument location determining device which has a radiating element forming part of the instrument to be inserted into an object. The element radiates a signal and the signal is detected by at least one receiving element. A signal energy level measurement device is coupled to the receiving element and it produces an energy level value for each one of the receiving elements. The distance of the radiating elements from the receiving element is calculated from the measured energy level values received by each of the receiving elements. The measured distance is then indicated to an operator of the instrument so that he can locate the instrument within the object.
Claims19
An instrument location determining apparatus comprising an instrument and a radiating element incorporated within the instrument to be inserted into an object wherein said element radiates signal energy, a signal energy detector means comprising
- at least one receiving element oriented to receive the radiated signal energy,
- a signal energy level measurement means coupled to the receiving element so as to produce an energy level value for each one of said receiving elements coupled to the measurement means,
- a calculation means which calculates using the measured energy level values received in each of the said receiving elements the distance of the radiating element from the receiving elements,
- an indication means coupled to said calculation which provides to an operator of the apparatus an indication of the distance calculated so that the instrument may be located within the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.