ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE SENSOR
Various devices and methods for locating an object using magnetic fields are provided. In one embodiment, a device is provided having a housing with an array of sensors that can measure a magnetic field of an object and calculate a three dimensional location of the object based upon the measured magnetic field. A display device for displaying the three dimensional location of the object can also be included. In one exemplary embodiment, an implantable device, such as an endotracheal tube, is provided having the object embedded therein. The array of sensors can be used to measure the magnetic field of the object. The device can then calculate the three dimensional location of the object and the display device can display the calculated location of the object embedded in the implantable device.
1 . A device, comprising:
a housing having an array of sensors configured to measure a magnetic field of an object and to calculate a three dimensional location of the object based upon the measured magnetic field; and
a display device for displaying the three dimensional location of the object.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the array of sensors comprise giant magneto-resistance sensors.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the array of sensors comprise Hall-effect sensors.
4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an implantable device having the object therein.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the implantable device comprises an endotracheal tube.
6 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the implantable device is selected from the group consisting of a stylet, a suction tube, a catheter, and a minimally invasive surgical instrument.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the array of sensors are configured to measure the magnetic field of the object disposed within a blocked and magnetically transparent pipe or tube.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the display device is configured to map the local variations of the magnetic field.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the display device is configured to use colors to map a strength of the magnetic field.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be implemented as a continuous monitoring device.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be attached to an exterior of a patient.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a battery, electronic circuit, microprocessor, and indicator lights configured to monitor the position of an endotracheal tube or catheter.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the implantable device comprises surgical staples having eddy currents induced by a time-varying magnetic field.
14 . A method for determining the location of an object using magnetic fields, comprising:
positioning an array of sensors in the vicinity of an object to be located;
measuring a magnetic field associated with the object;
calculating a three-dimensional location of the object based upon the measured magnetic field; and
displaying a representation of the three-dimensional location of the object.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the array of sensors comprise giant magneto-resistance sensors that can measure a magnetic field within a fraction of the Earth's magnetic field.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the object is a conductive material having eddy currents produced by a time-varying magnetic field.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein displaying a representation of the three-dimensional location of the object comprises using colors to map the strength of the magnetic field.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein calculating the three-dimensional location of the object comprises using an interpolation or extrapolation algorithm along x and y axes inside and outside of the projection of the sensor array.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the object is embedded in an endotracheal tube disposed in a patient's esophagus.
20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising transmitting the measured magnetic field data to a remote device.
21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the array of sensors comprise Hall-effect sensors.
22 . The method of claim 14 , wherein displaying the representation of the three-dimensional location of the object includes mapping the local variations of the magnetic field.
23 . The method of claim 14 , wherein displaying the representation of the three-dimensional location of the object includes using colors to map a strength of the magnetic field.
24 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the array of sensors are used as a continuous monitoring device.
25 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the array of sensors are attached to an exterior of a patient.
26 . A device, comprising:
a patch configured to be adhered to an exterior of a patient, the patch having an array of sensors configured to measure a magnetic field of an object disposed within a patient and to calculate a location of the object based upon the measured magnetic field; and
a display for displaying the calculated location of the object.
27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the patch includes at least one printed circuit board and at least one power source.
28 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the patch is configured to be adhered to an exterior surface of tissue.
29 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the patch has a configuration that is adapted to indicate alignment with an anatomical landmark of a patient.
30 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the patch is disposable.
31 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the display comprises a plurality of LEDs configured to be aligned along a longitudinal axis of a patient's trachea when the patch is adhered to the patient.
32 . The device of claim 26 , further comprising an implantable device having the object therein.
33 . The device of claim 32 , wherein the implantable device comprises an endotracheal tube.
34 . The device of claim 33 , wherein the object is a magnetic cylindrical collar disposed around the endotracheal tube.
35 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the magnetic cylindrical collar is magnetically polarized in the axial direction.
36 . The device of claim 32 , wherein the patch is configured to generate at least one of an audible and visible alarm when the implantable device moves out of a desired position.
37 . The device of claim 32 , wherein the patch is configured to continuously monitor a position of the implantable device.
38 . The device of claim 32 , wherein the patch is configured to intermittently monitor a position of the implantable device.