Abstract: Medical apparatus includes a probe including a distal part adapted for insertion into a body of a living subject and first and second magnetic transducers in the distal part of the probe. Control circuitry drives the first magnetic transducer to generate a first AC magnetic field at a first frequency and drives a magnetic field generator in proximity to the body to generate a second AC magnetic field within the body at a second frequency, calculates a disposition of the distal part of the probe by processing a first signal output by the second magnetic transducer at the first frequency, and calculates position coordinates of the distal part of the probe by processing a component of a second signal output by one of the first and second magnetic transducers at the second frequency while canceling from the second signal interference at the first frequency.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: A plurality of control-signal generators are configured to generate respective control signals having respective control-signal amplitudes and different respective control-signal frequencies, and a plurality of signal adders are configured to produce respective composite signals for application to a subject, by adding the control signals to respective ablation signals having respective ablation-signal amplitudes. The control-signal generators are configured to generate the control signals such that respective ratios between the control-signal amplitudes and the ablation-signal amplitudes are constant during the application of the composite signals to the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting metal disturbance during a medical procedure includes a probe having an insertion tube, a joint, and a joint sensor for sensing a position of the insertion tube. The joint sensor comprises first and second subassemblies having coils. A processor is used for measuring force using the joint sensor, and having a pre-established baseline value stored therein. The processor detects changes in a position of the insertion tube by applying current to one coil and measures a signal output by a remainder of the other coils. The signal output by a remainder of the coils defines a pickup value, wherein the processor compares the pickup value to the pre-established baseline value and identifies presence of metal when the pickup value is outside of a range of the pre-established baseline value.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting metal disturbance during a medical procedure includes a probe having an insertion tube, a joint, and a joint sensor for sensing a position of the insertion tube. The joint sensor comprises first and second subassemblies having coils. A processor is used for measuring force using the joint sensor, and having a pre-established baseline value stored therein. The processor detects changes in a position of the insertion tube by applying current to one coil and measures a signal output by a remainder of the other coils. The signal output by a remainder of the coils defines a pickup value, wherein the processor compares the pickup value to the pre-established baseline value and identifies presence of metal when the pickup value is outside of a range of the pre-established baseline value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cable inspection operate by generating a relative motion between an electrical cable including multiple wires and a magnetic field. An electrical signal induced in the wires is measured responsively to the magnetic field. A variation in the electrical signal is sensed due to the relative motion. In response to the variation, a defect is detected in the electrical cable.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil assembly includes overlaying printed circuit traces on a core. The traces include terminals for coupling to conductive connections on a base on which the coil assembly is to be mounted. Two or more wires are wrapped around the core so as to define two or more coils, wrapped in different, respective directions. The ends of the wires are coupled to the printed circuit traces, so as to connect the wires through the traces to the terminals.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil assembly includes overlaying printed circuit traces on a core. The traces include terminals for coupling to conductive connections on a base on which the coil assembly is to be mounted. Two or more wires are wrapped around the core so as to define two or more coils, wrapped in different, respective directions. The ends of the wires are coupled to the printed circuit traces, so as to connect the wires through the traces to the terminals.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil assembly includes overlaying printed circuit traces on a core. The traces include terminals for coupling to conductive connections on a base on which the coil assembly is to be mounted. Two or more wires are wrapped around the core so as to define two or more coils, wrapped in different, respective directions. The ends of the wires are coupled to the printed circuit traces, so as to connect the wires through the traces to the terminals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cable inspection operate by generating a relative motion between an electrical cable including multiple wires and a magnetic field. An electrical signal induced in the wires is measured responsively to the magnetic field. A variation in the electrical signal is sensed due to the relative motion. In response to the variation, a defect is detected in the electrical cable.

Abstract: A method for producing a coil assembly includes overlaying printed circuit traces on a core. The traces include terminals for coupling to conductive connections on a base on which the coil assembly is to be mounted. Two or more wires are wrapped around the core so as to define two or more coils, wrapped in different, respective directions. The ends of the wires are coupled to the printed circuit traces, so as to connect the wires through the traces to the terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating magnetic fields includes a plurality of radiator coils. Driver circuitry drives the coils so as to generate magnetic fields at a plurality of driving frequencies. Each of the coils is driven by a respective current that comprises a basic current at a respective one of the driving frequencies and cancellation currents at one or more of the other driving frequencies, so that each of the radiator coils generates a field substantially only at the respective driving frequency.

Abstract: A probe (20) for insertion into the body of a subject, the probe (20) having distal (22) and proximal ends, and including an electronic microcircuit (90), which stores information relating to calibration of the probe (20). Preferably, the microcircuit (90) stores a calibration code, which is encrypted. Alternatively or additionally, the microcircuit (90) stores a usage code, which controls availability of the probe (20) to a user thereof. Preferably, the probe (20) includes access control circuitry (90) that allows the usage code to be changed so as to reduce the availability of the probe (20), but not to increase the availability thereof.