System for determining the position of a medical device within a body

摘要

A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.

主权项

1. A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body, said system defining a coordinate system and comprising:
a field generator; a first position sensor generating a position signal indicative of a three-dimensional position of said medical device in said coordinate system, one of said field generator and said first position sensor disposed outside of said body and another of said field generator and said first position sensor having a known positional relationship to said medical device; a first patch comprising:
a flexible and unitary base layer configured for attachment to an external surface of said body;a first device supported on said base layer and configured to perform a first function; anda second device supported on said base layer and configured to perform a second function different from said first function, said second device electrically isolated from said first device; a second position sensor comprising a coil and wherein the first patch is configured to support the coil, and wherein the coil is configured such that a current is induced within the coil when exposed to a magnetic field; and, an electronic control unit configured to determine said three-dimensional position of said medical device responsive to said position signal and an output of at least one of said first and second devices, wherein said second device comprises an electrode configured to establish an electrical pathway with another electrode disposed on a surface of said body.