Magnetic field direction detection

Abstract

A system for magnetic field direction detection when placing a catheter is disclosed, the system including a sensor configured to track a medical device, the sensor including a magnetic sensor printed circuit board including a plurality of magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers. The system can include a console coupled to the sensor, the console including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein a plurality of logic modules that, when executed by the processor, are configured to perform operations including receiving magnetic field strength values detected by the plurality of magnetometers, determining a location of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor, determining a magnetic field source direction based on the detected magnetic field strength values and the location of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor, and displaying the magnetic field source direction on a display.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 072,697, filed August 31, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of medical devices, and more specifically to the detection of magnetic field direction. Background Technology

[0004] Some medical procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and remote catheter navigation, utilize magnetic fields. The presence of other magnetic fields during these procedures can cause interference, affecting the proper imaging and placement of various medical devices. It would be beneficial to quickly identify the presence and direction of magnetic and electromagnetic interference before these procedures occur. This document discloses systems, apparatus, and methods for addressing the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This document discloses a system for detecting the direction of a magnetic field during catheter placement. In some embodiments, the system includes: a sensor configured to track a medical device, the sensor including a magnetic sensor printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a plurality of magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers; and a console coupled to the sensor. The console includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of logic modules configured, when executed by the processor, to perform the following operations: receiving magnetic field strength values ​​detected by the plurality of magnetometers; determining the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor; determining the orientation of a magnetic field source relative to the sensor based on the detected magnetic field strength values ​​and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor; and generating a graph configured to display the orientation of the magnetic field source on a display.

[0006] In some implementations, the system includes determining the position of each of the multiple magnetometers on the sensor based on the magnetometer ID of each of the multiple magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers.

[0007] In some implementations, the system includes a console that associates each magnetometer ID with a magnetic field strength value measured at each of a plurality of magnetometers within the magnetometer array.

[0008] In some implementations, the system includes: a magnetic sensor PCB providing a control console with a corresponding magnetometer ID for each of a plurality of magnetometers arranged in a magnetometer array.

[0009] In some implementations, the system includes a control console that is wired to the sensor.

[0010] In some implementations, the system includes a console that is wirelessly connected to the sensor.

[0011] In some implementations, the system includes a console that communicates with a display.

[0012] In some implementations, the system includes a console comprising one or more thresholds corresponding to the strength of a magnetic field source measured at a known distance from the sensor.

[0013] In some implementations, the sensor is configured to be placed on the patient's body and perform medical device tip position tracking processing.

[0014] A device for detecting the direction of a magnetic field during conduit placement is also disclosed. The device includes: a sensor housing; and a magnetic sensor printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the sensor housing. The magnetic sensor PCB has multiple magnetometers arranged in a magnetometer array. The magnetic sensor PCB provides a control console device with a magnetic field strength value detected by each magnetometer and a corresponding magnetometer ID. Based on the location of each magnetometer and the magnetic field strength value detected by each magnetometer, the magnetic field strength value and the corresponding magnetometer ID indicate the direction of the magnetic field source relative to the device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the device includes a PCB comprising a magnetometer array arranged in a rectangular configuration.

[0016] In some embodiments, the device includes a PCB comprising an array of magnetometers arranged in an elliptical shape.

[0017] A method for detecting a magnetic field prior to catheter placement is also disclosed, the method comprising: detecting a magnetic field by a sensor configured to track a medical device, the sensor including a magnetic sensor printed circuit board (PCB) including a plurality of magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers; associating a detected magnetic field strength value with a position on the sensor of each of the plurality of magnetometers arranged in the array of magnetometers; determining the orientation of a magnetic field source relative to the sensor, wherein the association based on the detected magnetic field strength value and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor is determined; and generating a graph configured to display the orientation of the magnetic field source on a display.

[0018] In some implementations, the method includes: detecting a magnetic field by a sensor, which includes recording an identifier for each of a plurality of magnetometers and a magnetic field strength value detected at each of the plurality of magnetometers.

[0019] In some implementations, the method includes generating a graphic that includes generating one or more of a reference icon, a magnetic field source icon, and a magnetic field source direction icon.

[0020] In some implementations, generating the graph includes generating a graph showing that the sensor is no longer detecting the magnetic field source.

[0021] In some implementations, generating a graph includes generating a graph that receives user input confirming that the magnetic field source has been removed.

[0022] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art, taking into account the accompanying drawings and the following description of specific embodiments of these concepts in more detail. Attached Figure Description

[0023] A more specific description of the disclosure will be presented with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and should not be considered as limiting its scope. Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described and explained in more specific and detailed manner using the drawings, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 A plan view of a system for detecting the direction of a magnetic field when a conduit is placed, according to some embodiments, is shown. The system includes a console, a sensor including a magnetic sensor printed circuit board having multiple magnetometers within a magnetometer array.

[0025] Figure 2 A block diagram of various components of a system for detecting the direction of a magnetic field when a conduit is placed, according to some embodiments, is shown. The system includes a console and a sensor with a magnetic sensor PCB having multiple magnetometers in a magnetometer array.

[0026] Figure 3A A plan view of a magnetic sensor PCB with a rectangular magnetometer array that measures a magnetic field source is shown according to some embodiments.

[0027] Figure 3B A plan view of a magnetic sensor PCB with an elliptical magnetometer array having a measuring magnetic field source is shown according to some embodiments.

[0028] Figure 4 A plan view of a system for detecting the direction of a magnetic field when a conduit containing one or more thresholds related to the measured magnetic field strength is placed, according to some embodiments.

[0029] Figure 5 An exemplary method for detecting a magnetic field prior to catheter placement is shown according to some implementation schemes. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Before disclosing some specific embodiments in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein may have features that can be easily separated from the specific embodiments and optionally combined with features of any of the various other embodiments disclosed herein, or features that can substitute for features of any of the various other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031] Regarding the terminology used herein, it should be understood that these terms are for the purpose of describing certain specific embodiments, and that they do not limit the scope of the concepts presented herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a set of features or steps, and do not provide for a sequence or numerical limitation. For example, the features or steps “first,” “second,” and “third” do not necessarily appear in order, and the specific embodiments including these features or steps are not limited to these three features or steps. Labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” etc., are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any specific fixed position, orientation, or direction. Rather, these labels are used to reflect, for example, relative position, orientation, or direction. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references.

[0032] In the following description, certain terms are used to describe aspects of the invention. For example, in some cases, the term "logic" refers to hardware, firmware, or software configured to perform one or more functions. As hardware, logic may include circuitry with data processing or storage capabilities. Examples of such circuitry may include, but are not limited to, hardware processors (e.g., microprocessors, digital signal processors, programmable gate arrays, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits "ASICs", etc.) having one or more processor cores, semiconductor memories, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Alternatively, logic can be software (such as executable code in the form of an executable application, an application programming interface (API), subroutines, functions, programs, applets, servlets, routines, source code, object code, shared libraries / dynamically loaded libraries, or one or more instructions). Software can be stored in any suitable type of non-transitory or transient storage medium (e.g., electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagation signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, or digital signals). Examples of non-transitory storage media may include, but are not limited to, programmable circuits; semiconductor memory; non-persistent memory, such as volatile memory (e.g., any type of random access memory "RAM"); or persistent memory, such as non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory "ROM", power-supported RAM, flash memory, phase-change memory, etc.), solid-state drives, hard disk drives, optical disk drives, or portable storage devices. As firmware, executable code can be stored in persistent memory.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0035] Figure 1 A plan view of a system 100 for magnetic field orientation detection during catheter placement, according to some embodiments, is shown. The catheter includes a console 110 coupled to a sensor 130, which includes a magnetic sensor printed circuit board (“PCB”) 140 having a plurality of magnetometers 142 in a magnetometer array 144. In some embodiments, the system 100 includes a console 110 having a processor 150 and a non-transitory computer-readable medium (“memory”) 160 having a plurality of logic modules configured to perform operations which will be described in more detail. In some embodiments, the console 110 may be coupled to a display 120 on which graphics can be generated to show the orientation of a magnetic field source 200, including one or more of a sensor icon 122, a magnetic field source icon 124, and a magnetic field source orientation icon 126. In some embodiments, the sensor 130 may be configured to be placed on a patient’s body and perform medical device tip position tracking processing. In some embodiments, sensor 130 includes a sensor housing 148 coupled to a magnetic sensor PCB 140 having a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in a magnetometer array 144 configured to detect the presence of a magnetic field source 200 by detecting the generated magnetic field.

[0036] The magnetic sensor PCB 140 can be configured to cause each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 in the magnetometer array 144 to measure the magnetic field strength, wherein each measurement is transmitted to the console 110. The magnetic sensor PCB 140 transmits a series of magnetic field strength measurements (e.g., values) along with the magnetometer IDs of the corresponding magnetometers 142 in the magnetometer array 144 to the console 110. In some embodiments, the console 110 can be configured to receive magnetic field strength measurements from the plurality of magnetometers 142 and determine the orientation of the magnetic field source 200 based on the received magnetic field strength measurements. Once the console 110 has determined the orientation of the magnetic field source 200, the console 110 can be configured to indicate the orientation of the magnetic field source 200 on the display 120 by generating a graphic that may include one or more of a reference icon 122, a magnetic field source icon 124, and a direction icon 126. In some embodiments, the reference icon 122 may include icons of a sensor, a rectangle, an X, a circle, etc. In some embodiments, the magnetic field source icon 124 may include icons of a bar magnet, a horseshoe magnet, a cylindrical magnet, etc. In some implementations, the directional icon 126 may include arrows, lines, fingers, etc. In some implementations, the reference icon 122 may be configured to be centered on the display 120, and the magnetic field source icon 124 and the directional icon 126 may be positioned around the reference icon 122 at 360° angles, with the directional icon 126 displayed in the direction determined by the console 110 for the magnetic field source 200 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 4 ).

[0037] Figure 2A block diagram is shown depicting various components of a system for magnetic field direction detection when a conduit comprising a console 110 and a sensor 130 including a magnetic sensor PCB 140 coupled to a sensor housing 148 is placed therein. The magnetic sensor PCB 140 has a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in a magnetometer array 144. The console 110 is shown as including one or more processors 150, a communication interface 152, a display 120, and a memory 160 having a plurality of logic modules including magnetometer acquisition logic 162, magnetic field source determination logic 164, and display logic 166. In some embodiments, the console 110 includes a memory 160 that, when executed by the processor 150, can be configured to perform the following operations: receiving magnetic field strength values ​​detected by a plurality of magnetometers 142; determining the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 on a sensor; determining the orientation of a magnetic field source 200 relative to the sensor 130 based on the detected magnetic field strength values ​​and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 on the sensor 130; and generating a graph on the display 200 configured to show the orientation of the magnetic field source 200. Additionally, the memory 160 optionally includes data storage (such as magnetic field source orientation data 168, magnetometer measurement data 170, and associated data 172).

[0038] In some embodiments, magnetometer acquisition logic 162 receives a transmission from sensor 130, which includes a magnetic sensor PCB 140, wherein the transmission may be a series of magnetic field strength measurements paired with magnetometer IDs of corresponding magnetometers 142 in magnetometer array 144. In some embodiments, the transmission, along with the magnetic field strength measurements and magnetometer IDs, may also include a location (i.e., a tuple) within magnetometer array 144. Alternatively, magnetometer acquisition logic 162 looks up the location of magnetometers 142 in magnetometer array 144 based on the magnetometer IDs to complete the {magnetic field strength, magnetometer ID, magnetometer location} tuple. In some embodiments, the magnetometer IDs correspond to the physical location of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 in magnetometer array 144. In some embodiments, magnetometer acquisition logic 162 may be configured to determine the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 on sensor 130 based on the magnetometer IDs of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in magnetometer array 144.

[0039] In some embodiments, the magnetic field source determination logic 166 uses a magnetometer ID from each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 and a magnetic field strength value measured by each magnetometer 142 to determine the orientation of the magnetic field source relative to the sensor 130. For example, in some embodiments, the magnetic field source determination logic 166 uses at least one threshold, which will be described in more detail herein, to determine the orientation of the magnetic field source 200 relative to the sensor 130. In some embodiments, the magnetic field source determination logic 166 associates each magnetometer ID with a magnetic field strength value measured at each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 within the magnetometer array 144. In some embodiments, the display logic 168 is configured to generate a graphic that is configured to indicate the orientation of the magnetic field source on the display 120 using one of a plurality of icons, including a reference icon 122, a magnetic field source icon 124, and a magnetic field source direction icon 126.

[0040] In some embodiments, processor 150 includes non-volatile memory (such as EEPROM) to act as a control processor. Display 120 in this embodiment can be integrated into console 110 and used to display information about magnetic field source 200 to clinicians while using system 100. In another embodiment, display 120 can be separate from console 110 and can be communicatively connected via wired communication or wireless communication including WiFi, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), electromagnetic (EM), radio frequency (RF), and combinations thereof.

[0041] In some embodiments, sensor 130, including magnetic sensor PCB 140, is coupled to console 110. In some embodiments, sensor 130, including magnetic sensor PCB 140, can communicate with console 110 via a wired connection. In some embodiments, console 110, including magnetic sensor PCB 140, can be wirelessly connected. Exemplary wireless communication models may include WiFi, Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), electromagnetic (EM), radio frequency (RF), and combinations thereof.

[0042] In some embodiments, the magnetic sensor PCB 140 coupled to the sensor housing 148 may include a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in various configurations in the magnetometer array 144. For example... Figure 3A As shown, multiple magnetometers 142 can be arranged in a rectangular configuration on a magnetic sensor PCB 140 connected to a sensor housing 148. If a magnetic field source 200 is present, all magnetometers 142 in the magnetometer array 144 are configured to measure the strength of the magnetic field source. If the magnetic field source 200 is located near the magnetic sensor PCB 140, such as... Figure 3AAs shown, compared to the multiple magnetometers 142 located far from the magnetic field source 200 that will detect lower magnetic field strength values, the multiple magnetometers 142 located near the magnetic field source 200 will detect higher magnetic field strength values. In an alternative embodiment, such as Figure 3B As shown, multiple magnetometers 142 can be arranged in an elliptical magnetometer array 146 on a magnetic sensor PCB 140 connected to a sensor housing 148.

[0043] In some implementations, the system 400 for magnetic field direction detection during catheter placement can detect the direction of the magnetic field source 200 and the distance from the magnetic field source 200. Figure 4 A block diagram according to some embodiments is shown, depicting various elements of a system 400 for detecting the direction of a magnetic field during placement of a conduit, the conduit including one or more distance thresholds associated with the strength of a magnetic field source measured at different distances relative to a sensor 130. In this embodiment, the system 400 includes a console 110 including a processor 150 and a memory 460 having a plurality of logic modules stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor 150, are configured to perform the following operations: receiving magnetic field strength values ​​detected by a plurality of magnetometers 142; determining the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 on a sensor 130 including a magnetic sensor PCB 140 coupled to a sensor housing 148; determining the direction of a magnetic field source 200 relative to the sensor 130 based on the detected magnetic field strength values ​​and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 on the sensor 130; determining the distance relative to the sensor 130 based on one or more thresholds; and generating a graph configured to display the direction of the magnetic field source 200 on a display 120. In some embodiments, console 110 is shown as including one or more processors 150, a communication interface 152, a display 120, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium (“memory”) 460. In some embodiments, memory 460 is configured to store logic modules including magnetometer acquisition logic 162, magnetic field source determination logic 166, magnetic field threshold distance logic 468, and display logic 470. Additionally, memory 460 may optionally include data storage (such as magnetic field source direction data 170, magnetic field source distance data 472, magnetometer measurement data 172, and associated data 174).

[0044] In this embodiment, the magnetometer acquisition logic 162 and the magnetic field source determination logic 166 function as described above. In this embodiment, the magnetic field threshold distance logic 468 compares magnetic field readings from a plurality of magnetometers 142 in the magnetometer array 144 with one or more establishment thresholds corresponding to one or more establishment distances of the magnetic field source 200 from the sensor 130, which includes the magnetic sensor PCB 140 as described above. In this embodiment, the magnetic field threshold distance logic 468 compares the magnetic field read value with: a first establishment threshold corresponding to the magnetic field strength within a first distance 480 (“d1”) of the sensor 130 including the magnetic sensor PCB 140; a second establishment threshold corresponding to the magnetic field strength within a second distance 482 (“d2”) of the sensor 130 including the magnetic sensor PCB 140; a third establishment threshold corresponding to the magnetic field strength within a third distance 484 (“d3”) of the sensor 130 including the magnetic sensor PCB 140; and a fourth establishment threshold corresponding to the magnetic field strength within a fourth distance 486 (“d4”) of the sensor 130 including the magnetic sensor PCB 140. Although four distances corresponding to the four thresholds are shown, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and other thresholds corresponding to other distances are considered.

[0045] As an example, if the magnetic field strength falls within a first establishment threshold, the magnetic field source is within a first distance 400 from the sensor 130, which includes the magnetic sensor PCB 140. If the magnetic field strength falls within a third establishment threshold, the magnetic field source is within a third distance 404 from the sensor, which includes the magnetic sensor PCB 140. In this embodiment, the display logic 470 is configured to use multiple icons on the display 120, including a reference icon 122, a magnetic field source icon 124, a magnetic field source direction icon 126, and a magnetic field source distance icon 428, to generate a graph configured to show the direction of the magnetic field source and the distance to the magnetic field source. Furthermore, the magnetic field source direction icon 126 can indicate the distance from the sensor 130, which includes the magnetic sensor PCB 140, to the detected magnetic field source 200. For example, as... Figure 4 As shown, the magnetic field source direction icon 126 includes a magnetic field source distance icon 428 as the text "4 feet". The distance indication may refer to the approximate distance between the sensor 130 and the detected magnetic field source 200, while in other embodiments, the distance indication may utilize one or more thresholds (e.g., "4 feet - 6 feet", where such indication corresponds to a specific distance threshold).

[0046] In some embodiments, system 100 may be configured to detect the direction of a local magnetic field that may interfere with the magnetic tracking device, such as devices and systems for navigating and locating central venous catheters within a patient, as found, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,388,541, 8,781,555, 8,849,382, 9,521,961, 9,526,440, 9,549,685, 9,636,031, 9,649,048, 9,681,823, 9,999,371, 10,105,121, 10,165,962, 10,238,418, and 10,602,958, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0047] For example, system 100 may include a console 110 with logic coupled to memory 160, a display 120, and a sensor 130 including a magnetic sensor PCB 140 having a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in a magnetometer array 144 configured to track the tip of a medical device for proper placement of a needle, thread, or catheter, as described in some embodiments. In some placement procedures, sensor 130 may be configured to track the tip of the medical device by measuring a local electromagnetic field. However, the bed may include a remote control (e.g., magnetic field source 200) or other electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone, a table) that could interfere with sensor 130 configured to track the tip of the medical device by generating a magnetic field that could lead to improper placement of the medical device. The magnetic sensor PCB 140, including a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in the magnetometer array 144, may be configured to measure the magnetic field strength at each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 and may communicate with console 110. The console 110 can be configured to receive magnetic field strength measurements from a plurality of magnetometers 142 and use logic coupled to memory as described above to determine the orientation of the magnetic field source 200 (e.g., a hospital bed remote control) based on the magnetic field strength measurements. The console 110 can then indicate the orientation of the magnetic field source 200 (e.g., a hospital bed remote control) relative to the sensor 130 on the display 120 using one or more of a reference icon 122, a magnetic field source icon 124, and a magnetic field source direction icon 126 to alert the user.

[0048] Figure 5An exemplary method 500 for detecting a magnetic field prior to catheter placement is illustrated according to some embodiments. Method 500 includes detecting a magnetic field by a sensor 130 configured to be placed on a patient's body and perform medical device tip position tracking processing. The sensor 130 includes a magnetic sensor printed circuit board (PCB) 140 comprising a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in a magnetometer array 144 (block 502). In some embodiments, detecting the magnetic field by the sensor 130 includes the optional step of recording an identifier for each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 and a value of the magnetic field strength detected at each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 (block 503). In some embodiments, the magnetometer array 144 may be arranged in a rectangular, elliptical, or other shape. Method 500 also includes associating the detected magnetic field strength value with the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in the magnetometer array 144 on the sensor 130 (block 504). In some embodiments, the association includes a console 110 or a sensor 130 including a magnetic sensor PCB 140 having a plurality of magnetometers 142 arranged in a magnetometer array 144, the magnetometer array 144 providing a corresponding magnetometer ID for each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 in the magnetometer array 144. In some embodiments, the console 110 associates the magnetometer ID with a magnetic field strength value measured at one or more magnetometers 142 in the magnetometer array 144.

[0049] Method 500 also includes determining the orientation of the magnetic field source 200 relative to the sensor 130, wherein the determination is based on the association between the magnetic field strength values ​​detected at each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers 142 on the sensor 130 (box 506).

[0050] Method 500 further includes generating a graphic on display 120 configured to show the orientation of magnetic field source 200 (box 508). In some embodiments, generating the graphic includes generating one or more of reference icon 122, magnetic field source icon 124, and magnetic field source orientation icon 126. In some embodiments, generating the graphic includes generating a graphic showing that the sensor no longer detects magnetic field source 200. In some embodiments, generating the graphic includes generating a graphic showing that the sensor 130, including magnetic sensor PCB 140, no longer detects magnetic field source 200. In some embodiments, generating the graphic includes generating a graphic receiving user input confirming that magnetic field source 200 has been removed. In some embodiments, generating the graphic includes generating one or more of reference icon 122, magnetic field source icon 124, magnetic field source distance icon 428, and magnetic field source orientation icon 126. In some embodiments, the optional step of detecting a second magnetic field (box 512) may occur only after generating the graphic configured to show the orientation of magnetic field source 200 on display 200 (box 508).

[0051] While specific embodiments have been disclosed herein, and while these embodiments have been disclosed in detail, they are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Other adaptations and / or modifications will arise to those skilled in the art, and are included in a broader sense. Therefore, deviations from the specific embodiments disclosed herein are possible without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. A system for magnetic field direction detection when placing a medical device, characterized by, include: A sensor configured to track the medical device, the sensor including a magnetic sensor printed circuit board, the magnetic sensor printed circuit board including a plurality of magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers; and A console, coupled to the sensor, includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a plurality of logical modules stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, are configured to perform operations including: Receive the magnetic field strength values ​​detected by the plurality of magnetometers; The position of each of the plurality of magnetometers arranged in the magnetometer array is determined on the sensor. Based on the detected magnetic field strength value and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor, the orientation of the magnetic field source relative to the sensor is determined; Generate a graphic configured to display the direction of the magnetic field source on a display; as well as Each magnetometer ID is associated with the magnetic field strength value measured at each of the plurality of magnetometers in the magnetometer array.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic sensor PCB provides the control console with a magnetometer ID corresponding to each of the plurality of magnetometers arranged in the magnetometer array.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The console is wired to the sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The console is wirelessly connected to the sensor.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The console communicates with the display.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control console includes one or more thresholds corresponding to the measured strength of the magnetic field source, the one or more thresholds corresponding to one or more establishment distances of the magnetic field source from the sensor.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor is configured to be placed on the patient's body.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic field source includes electronic devices other than the medical device, including at least one of a remote control, a mobile phone, or a tablet.

9. A device for detecting the direction of a magnetic field when a medical device is placed, characterized in that, include: Sensor housing; A magnetic sensor printed circuit board is connected to the sensor housing. The magnetic sensor printed circuit board has a plurality of magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers. The magnetic sensor printed circuit board provides a console device with a magnetic field strength value detected by each of the plurality of magnetometers and a magnetometer ID of each of the plurality of magnetometers associated with the corresponding detected magnetic field strength value. The magnetic field strength value and the associated magnetometer ID, based on the location of each magnetometer and the magnetic field strength value detected by each magnetometer, indicate the orientation of the magnetic field source relative to the device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The magnetic sensor printed circuit board includes a rectangular array of magnetometers.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The magnetic sensor printed circuit board includes an elliptical array of magnetometers.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The magnetic field source includes electronic devices other than the medical device, including at least one of a remote control, a mobile phone, or a tablet.

13. A method for detecting a magnetic field before placing a medical device, characterized in that, include: A magnetic field is detected by a sensor configured to track the medical device, the sensor including a magnetic sensor printed circuit board, the magnetic sensor printed circuit board including a plurality of magnetometers arranged in an array of magnetometers; The detected magnetic field strength value is associated with the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers arranged in the magnetometer array on the sensor; Associate the magnetometer ID of each of the plurality of magnetometers with the magnetic field strength value measured at each of the plurality of magnetometers; Determine the orientation of the magnetic field source relative to the sensor, wherein the determination is based on the association between the detected magnetic field strength value and the position of each of the plurality of magnetometers on the sensor; and Generate a graphic configured to show the direction of the magnetic field source on a display.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Detecting the magnetic field by the sensor includes recording the identifier of each of the plurality of magnetometers and the magnetic field strength value detected at each of the plurality of magnetometers.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Generating the graphic includes generating one or more of a reference icon, a magnetic field source icon, or a magnetic field source direction icon.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Generating the graph includes generating a graph showing that the sensor no longer detects the magnetic field source.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Generating the graphic includes: generating a graphic that receives user input, wherein the user input confirms that the magnetic field source has been removed.

18. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The magnetic field source includes electronic devices other than the medical device, including at least one of a remote control, a mobile phone, or a tablet.

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