Abstract: A wireless radio frequency triggered signal acquisition device includes three orthogonal pick up coils in which voltages will be induced by a time varying, spatially varying magnetic field inside a chamber of an MRI scanner. A radio frequency detection circuit detects radio frequency pulses emitted by an MRI scanner and a wireless transmission circuit transmits data from the device, A 3-axis magnetometer is used for measuring magnetic flux in the chamber of the MRI scanner. A processor uses the detected radio frequency pulses to synchronize measurements taken by the magnetometer and pick-up coils to a time frame of a gradient driver hardware, thereby matching the measurements to a pulse sequence waveform. The processor further combines measurements of induced voltages in the orthogonal pick up coils and the magnetic flux with the pulse sequence waveform in order to solve for the instantaneous position and orientation of the device.

Abstract: An orientation tracking device includes a memory for storing data including magnetic reference data relating to the direction of a static magnetic field of a magnetic imaging scanner in a selected principle co-ordinate frame and earth gravitational reference data relating to the direction of the gravitational field of the earth in the principle co-ordinate frame. The device also includes an accelerometer, magnetometer and communication module. A processor is adapted for receiving from the magnetometer measured magnetic field vector and from the accelerometer a measured acceleration vector. These vectors are in a co-ordinate frame of the orientation tracking device, within the magnetic imaging scanner in which the orientation tracking device is placed in use.

Abstract: An orientation tracking device includes a memory for storing data therein including magnetic reference data relating to the direction of a static magnetic field of a magnetic imaging scanner in a selected principle co-ordinate frame and earth gravitational reference data relating to the direction of the gravitational field of the earth in the principle co-ordinate frame. The device also includes an accelerometer, a magnetometer and a communication module. A processor is connected to the accelerometer, the magnetometer and communication module and is adapted for receiving from the magnetometer a measurement of a magnetic field vector in a co-ordinate frame of the orientation tracking device, within the magnetic imaging scanner in which the orientation tracking device is placed in use. The processor further receives from the accelerometer a measurement of an acceleration vector in the orientation tracking device's.