Abstract: Electromagnetic navigation systems and methods detect ambient or extraneous magnetic interference by inhibiting the navigation system from generating an electromagnetic field and measuring, with a sensor, the strength of a magnetic field at one or more frequencies of and at one or more phases associated with the electromagnetic field generated by the navigation system. The systems and methods may further determine whether the strength of the magnetic field is greater than a threshold. Based on this determination, an alert or message may be generated.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic field generating antenna is compatible with fluoroscopic imaging and can be placed under, above or anywhere around the patient. The antenna includes one or more antenna elements laid out on a single or multi-layer PCB with current conducting metal traces used for creating electromagnetic fields for tracking sensors. An antenna enclosure is made with a polymer or other non-conductive material. The antenna does not have to be moved for allowing medical imaging during various procedures. An X-ray filter may be made out of similar sub-components as a full antenna assembly with the sole purpose of reducing the radiation dose to the patient during medical procedures without negatively affecting the image quality.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.

Abstract: Electromagnetic navigation systems and methods detect ambient or extraneous magnetic interference by inhibiting the navigation system from generating an electromagnetic field and measuring, with a sensor, the strength of a magnetic field at one or more frequencies of and at one or more phases associated with the electromagnetic field generated by the navigation system. The systems and methods may further determine whether the strength of the magnetic field is greater than a threshold. Based on this determination, an alert or message may be generated.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for mapping and accuracy-testing an electromagnetic navigation system includes a sensor sensing electromagnetic vectors of an electromagnetic field, a carriage moving the sensor along a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, a first position detector operatively associated with the sensor and detecting a first position of the sensor along the first direction, a second position detector operatively associated with the sensor and detecting a second position of the sensor along the second direction, and a controller operatively associated with the sensor and controlling movements of the carriage along the first and second directions and mapping the electromagnetic field based on the sensed electromagnetic vectors at predetermined positions in a coordinate system defined by the first direction, the second direction, and a third direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the first and second directions.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for mapping and accuracy-testing an electromagnetic navigation system includes a sensor sensing electromagnetic vectors of an electromagnetic field, a carriage moving the sensor along a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, a first position detector operatively associated with the sensor and detecting a first position of the sensor along the first direction, a second position detector operatively associated with the sensor and detecting a second position of the sensor along the second direction, and a controller operatively associated with the sensor and controlling movements of the carriage along the first and second directions and mapping the electromagnetic field based on the sensed electromagnetic vectors at predetermined positions in a coordinate system defined by the first direction, the second direction, and a third direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the first and second directions.