System and method for monitoring the movement of an interventional device within an anatomical site

摘要

A magnetometer transducer located on an interventional device positioned within an anatomical site operates in conjunction with a magnet positioned about the anatomical site to provide present-position coordinate data related to the present position of the device and future present-position coordinate data related to future positions of the device as the device is moved about the anatomical site. A processor receives the present-position coordinate data from the transducer and compares the present-position coordinate data to past-position coordinate data stored in a database to determine if the present position is substantially the same as a past position. The processor outputs repeat-position indication data if the present-position data is substantially the same as past-position data. A visual display device displays repeat-position indication data while an audio device produces an audible sound when repeat-position indication data is output.