초록 ▼

A medical tube, apparatus and method for locating the medical tube within the body of a patient. The medical tube has a permanent magnet associated therewith and is capable of being located by a detection apparatus which senses the static magnetic field strength gradient generated by the magnet asso

A medical tube, apparatus and method for locating the medical tube within the body of a patient. The medical tube has a permanent magnet associated therewith and is capable of being located by a detection apparatus which senses the static magnetic field strength gradient generated by the magnet associated with the medical tube and indicates the value of the gradient to the user. In one embodiment, the magnet is associated with the distal end of the medical tube in a fixed orientation with a magnetic dipole pointing to the proximal end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the medical tube such that polarity of the magnet's static magnetic field as sensed by the detection apparatus indicates the orientation of the distal end of the medical tube with the body of a patient.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for detecting the location of a medical tube within a patient comprising: a detection apparatus and a medical tube, wherein the medical tube comprises a tube or device suitable for insertion into the patient's body and a permanent magnet associated with the medical tube, t

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for detecting the location of a medical tube within a patient comprising: a detection apparatus and a medical tube, wherein the medical tube comprises a tube or device suitable for insertion into the patient's body and a permanent magnet associated with the medical tube, the medical tube having a proximal end and distal end, and the permanent magnet generating a static magnetic field of sufficient strength per unit volume to permit detection by the detection apparatus of the magnet's static magnetic field when the medical tube is inserted into the patient's body, and wherein the magnet is associated with the distal end of the medical tube in a fixed orientation with a magnetic dipole pointing to the proximal end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the medical tube such that polarity of the magnet's static magnetic field as sensed by the detection apparatus indicates the orientation of the distal end of the medical tube within the patient's body, and wherein the medical tube is selected from the group consisting of a catheter and medical instrument, and wherein the detection apparatus comprises first and second magnetic field strength sensors for sensing magnetic field strength and providing first and second magnetic field strength signals, a sensor driver for providing a driver signal to said first and second magnetic field strength sensors configured geometrically to null detection of ambient homogeneous magnetic fields to a value of zero, and a visual display or speaker operatively connected to the first and second magnetic field strength sensors for allowing visual or audible indication of said first and second magnetic field strength signals received therefrom.