Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a magnetic field for tracking of an object (12) can include a localized magnetic field generator (76) that is configured to generate a magnetic field (621) and to control the magnetic field (621) in an area of interest (38) and configured to control the magnetic field (621) in a separate area. The separate area can be displaced from the area of interest (38) and can include a magnetic field-disrupting component (86). The object (12) can be located in the area of interest (38).

Abstract: A magnetic field generator assembly (44) is configured to be associated with a table (20) supporting a body. The magnetic field generator comprises magnetic field transmitters (57A) that are thin (of minimal height) and transparent, or substantially transparent, to x-ray radiation. The magnetic field transmitters (57A) are configured to minimally obstruct components of an imaging system and to minimally interfere with image quality. A plurality of transmitters is arranged in a first layer of the assembly. Each transmitter (57A) comprises an elongate conductive element, such as a wire, arranged in a spiral form, such as a coil.

Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.

Abstract: A system for registering a group of images of an anatomical region of a patient in a coordinate system of a medical system is disclosed. The system includes an object disposed in a known position in the coordinate system. In one embodiment, the object has a first state in which the object is visible in at least one image and a second state in which the object is invisible in at least another image. In another embodiment, the object is substantially invisible to the eye in each image, but detectable by image processing. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to process the images to identify an image location of the object, create a transformation model responsive to the image location and the known position of the object in the coordinate system, and register the group of images in the coordinate system using the model.

Abstract: The electromagnetic moving-coil device in which a position coil is provided to function as a secondary coil in accordance with the principles of a linear variable differential transformer so that when a high-frequency excitation signal is superimposed upon the driver signal applied to the moving coil, a position coil picks up the position of the moving coil and allows that position to be computed or displayed.

Abstract: A moving coil linear actuator has a bobbin or coil wound as close packed turns of rectangular - cross section wire and radially polarized circumferentially continuous ring magnets which are provided with flux focusing cladding. The result is a light-weight high power linear actuator.

Abstract: A moving coil linear actuator has a bobbin or coil wound as close packed turns of rectangular—cross section wire and radially polarized circumferentially continuous ring magnets which are provided with flux focusing cladding. The result is a light-weight high power linear actuator.

Abstract: The electromagnetic moving-coil device in which a position coil is provided to function as a secondary coil in accordance with the principles of a linear variable differential transformer so that when a high-frequency excitation signal is superimposed upon the driver signal applied to the moving coil, a position coil picks up the position of the moving coil and allows that position to be computed or displayed.