Field concentrating antennas for magnetic position sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12512581-B2
Application number	US-202217750990-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2022
Priority date	Mar 16, 2015
Publication date	Dec 30, 2025
Grant date	Dec 30, 2025

Abstract

A medical device is configured for diagnosis or treatment of a tissue within a body. The medical device comprises an elongate member and a position sensor. The elongate member is configured to be received within the body, and has a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The position sensor is disposed within the lumen proximate the distal end of the deformable member. The position sensor comprises a coil wound to form a central passage and configured to generate a current flow when subject to a magnetic field, and a high-permeability antenna having at least a portion disposed outside the central passage to concentrate the magnetic field into the coil and increase the current flow.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A medical device configured for diagnosis or treatment of a tissue within a patient, the medical device comprising the following:
an elongate member configured to be received within the patient, the elongate member having a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a position sensor disposed within the lumen proximate the distal end of a deformable member, the position sensor comprising:
a coil wound to form a central passage and configured to generate a current flow when subject to a magnetic field; and
a core including a body passing through the central passage and having at least a portion disposed outside the central passage, the core comprising a mass of high magnetic permeability material configured to concentrate the magnetic field into the coil and increase the current flow.

2 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the core has an axial length longer than that of the coil.

3 . The medical device of claim 2 , wherein the body of the core is circumferentially curved in a direction of windings of the coil.

4 . The medical device of claim 1 , further including a high-permeability antenna disposed outside the central passage and configured to further increase the current flow into the coil by concentrating the magnetic field into the coil.

5 . The medical device of claim 4 , wherein the antenna has an outer diameter greater than that of the coil.

6 . The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the antenna includes:
a first mass of high magnetic permeability material disposed axially adjacent the coil; and a second mass of high magnetic permeability material disposed axially adjacent the coil opposite the first mass.

7 . The medical device of claim 6 , wherein the first mass is in contact with the core outside of the central passage.

8 . The medical device of claim 6 , wherein the first mass is axially spaced from the coil.

9 . A medical device configured for diagnosis or treatment of a tissue within a patient, the medical device comprising the following:
an elongate member configured to be received within the patient, the elongate member having a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a position sensor disposed within the lumen proximate the distal end of the elongate member, the position sensor comprising:
a body defining an internal lumen;
a wire winding supported by the body; and
a magnetic flux antenna disposed within the body, the antenna including:
a first mass of high magnetic permeability material located externally to the wire winding and positioned proximate to the wire winding, and
a core of high magnetic permeability material disposed within the wire winding.

10 . The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the antenna further includes a second mass of high magnetic permeability material located externally to the wire winding and positioned proximate to the wire winding in a location opposite the first mass relative to the core.

11 . The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the antenna has a permeability greater than that of the wire winding.

12 . The sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first mass has a diameter greater than the wire winding.

13 . The sensor assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a conductor electrically coupling the wire winding and the magnetic flux antenna; and a shield surrounding the wire winding and the conductor.

14 . A medical device comprising:
an elongate sheath defining a lumen; a position sensor disposed within the lumen, the position sensor including a coil wound to form a central passage; an electrode exposed to an exterior of the elongate sheath; and a magnetic antenna comprising a core of high magnetic permeability material, the core being disposed within the central passage of the coil and further extending beyond the central passage of the coil.

15 . The medical device of claim 14 , wherein an axial length of the magnetic antenna is greater than the coil.

16 . The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the magnetic antenna has a permeability greater than that of air.

17 . The medical device of claim 16 , wherein the magnetic antenna is configured to increase the current flow into the coil by concentrating the magnetic field into the coil.

18 . The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the magnetic antenna comprises a thin strip of material extending circumferentially about and generally parallel to a central axis of the coil.

Assignees

• St Jude Medical Int Holding Sarl

Inventors

• Buesseler Ryan Kenneth
• Houck Alexander Carson

Classifications

• A61B5/062

  using magnetic field · CPC title

• A61B5/06

  Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies {; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body of the patient} · CPC title

• A61B2034/2072

  Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient · CPC title

• A61B2090/376

  using X-rays, e.g. fluoroscopy · CPC title

• A61B2034/2051

  Electromagnetic tracking systems · CPC title