US 5,211,165 A · Tracking system to follow the position and orientation of a device with radiofrequency field gradients

Abstract

A tracking system in which radiofrequency signals emitted by an invasive device such as a catheter are detected and used to measure the position and orientation of the invasive device within a subject. Detection of the radiofrequency signals is accomplished with coils having sensitivity profiles which vary approximately linearly with position. The invasive device has a transmit coil attached near its end and is driven by a low power RF source to produce a dipole electromagnetic field that can be detected by an array of receive coils distributed around a region of interest of the subject. The position and orientation of the device as determined by the tracking system are superimposed upon independently acquired Medical Diagnostic images, thereby minimizing the diagnostic exposure times. One or more invasive devices can be simultaneously tracked.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tracking and imaging system adapted for following a location of at least one invasive device within a subject, comprising:

a) an invasive device;
b) an electromagnetic (EM) field creation means adapted for creating an electromagnetic field of known geometry within the subject attached to the invasive device;
c) a radiofrequency (RF) receiver means adapted for detecting the electromagnetic field at a plurality of M selected locations, wherein the RF receiver has a sensitivity varying with position;
d) a tracking means adapted for computing a position and an orientation of the EM field creation means at the M selected locations, responsive to the detected electromagnetic field;
e) an imaging means adapted for acquiring a medical diagnostic image of a region of interest of said subject;
f) superposition means for superimposing on the medical diagnostic image of said region of interest, a symbol at the computed position representing the EM field creation means resulting in a superimposed image;
and
g) display means adapted for displaying the superimposed image on the medical diagnostic image of said region of interest.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tracking system to follow the position and orientation of a device with radiofrequency field gradients

Life of this patent

Tracking system to follow the position and orientation of a device with radiofrequency field gradients

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20