IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,329,510
Granted Patent B2
US 12,329,510 · App. 18/185,617 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Magnetometer surgical device

Inventors: Samuel Alex Weprin (Merion Station, PA); John Noel (Philadelphia, PA); Daniel D. Eun (Radnor, PA)
Assignee: Temple University—Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
A61B5/062A61B5/065A61B5/067G01V3/081G01V13/00A61B5/7415A61B5/742A61B2034/2048A61B2505/05A61B2560/0223A61B2560/0238A61B2562/0219A61B2562/0223
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,329,510
App. No.
18/185,617
Filed
Mar 17, 2023
Granted
Jun 17, 2025
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3797
USPC
600/409
Abstract

A magnetometer-based metal detection device and methods of use are described. The device includes a proximal portion, a central body and a distal portion, and at least one magnetometer positioned within or on the distal portion. The at least one magnetometer includes at least one sensor capable of sensing a magnetic field in three orthogonal axes. Also described is a method of calibrating the device to achieve rotational invariance, and a method of determining a directionality or directional line along which a target metal object lies.

Claims (51)

1. A magnetometer-based magnetic material detection device comprising:

a proximal portion, a rigid central body and a flexible and adjustable distal portion, wherein the rigid central body comprises a tube having a circular outer cross-section, a diameter between 2 and 20 mm, and a length between 1 and 60 cm;

two or more magnetometers positioned in or on the distal portion,

a sound emitting device;

a gyroscope in the adjustable distal portion;

an indicator light;

at least one actuator positioned in the proximal portion and connected via a cable, rod, or wire to the distal portion, configured to extend, retract, and move the distal portion angularly away from a central axis defined by the length of the tube of the rigid central body; and

a processor communicatively coupled with the two or more magnetometers, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive magnetic field data from a communication interface of the two or more magnetometers, and

provide a signal to the indicator light and the sound emitting device to turn on the indicator light and provide an audible sound in response to a change in a relative proximity of the two or more magnetometers to a magnetic material based on the magnetic field data, wherein the magnetic material is magnetized.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle at the proximal portion;

wherein the handle further comprises the actuator;

wherein the actuator is a pull lever; and

wherein the cable, rod, or wire is a guidewire extending through the rigid central body.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the signal to the indicator light to change an illumination of the indicator light in response to the change in the relative proximity of the two or more magnetometers to the magnetic material.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material is a needle.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material is a surgical tool.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a motor.

7. A magnetometer-based magnetic material detection device comprising:

a proximal portion, a rigid central body and a flexible and adjustable distal portion, wherein the rigid central body comprises a tube having a circular outer cross-section, a diameter between 2 and 20 mm, and a length between 1 and 60 cm;

two or more magnetometers positioned in or on the distal portion;

a gyroscope in the adjustable distal portion;

a sound emitting device;

at least one actuator positioned in the proximal portion and connected via a cable, rod, or wire to the distal portion, configured to extend, retract, and move the distal portion angularly away from a central axis defined by the length of the tube of the rigid central body; and

a processor communicatively coupled with the two or more magnetometers, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive magnetic field data from a communication interface of the two or more magnetometers, and

provide a signal to the sound emitting device to provide an audible sound in response to a change in a relative proximity of the two or more magnetometers to a magnetic material based on the magnetic field data, wherein the magnetic material is magnetized.

8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a handle at the proximal portion;

wherein the handle further comprises the actuator;

wherein the actuator is a pull lever; and

wherein the cable, rod, or wire is a guidewire extending through the rigid central body.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the signal to the sound emitting device to change the audible sound in response to the change in the relative proximity of the two or more magnetometers to the magnetic material.

10. The device of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic material is a needle.

11. The device of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic material is a surgical tool.

12. The device of claim 7 , wherein the distal portion includes a preset curvature configured to be straightened when positioned within the rigid central body, and configured to return to a curved, relaxed state when extended out of the rigid central body.

13. A magnetometer-based magnetic material detection device comprising:

a proximal portion, a rigid central body and a flexible and adjustable distal portion, wherein the rigid central body comprises a tube having a circular outer cross-section, a diameter between 2 and 20 mm, and a length between 1 and 60 cm;

two or more magnetometers positioned in or on the distal portion;

a gyroscope in the adjustable distal portion;

a user interface;

at least one actuator positioned in the proximal portion and connected via a cable, rod, or wire to the distal portion, configured to extend, retract, and move the distal portion angularly away from a central axis defined by the length of the tube of the rigid central body; and

a processor communicatively coupled with the two or more magnetometers, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive magnetic field data from a communication interface of the two or more magnetometers, and

provide a signal to the user interface to provide a graphic or text in response to a change in a relative proximity of the two or more magnetometers to a magnetic material based on the magnetic field data, wherein the magnetic material is magnetized.

14. The device of claim 13 , further comprising a handle at the proximal portion;

wherein the handle further comprises the actuator;

wherein the actuator is a pull lever; and

wherein the cable, rod, or wire is a guidewire extending through the rigid central body.

15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the signal to the user interface to change the graphic or the text in response to the change in the relative proximity of the two or more magnetometers to the magnetic material.

16. The device of claim 13 , wherein the magnetic material is a needle.

17. The device of claim 13 , wherein the magnetic material is a surgical tool.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2025
From: WEPRIN, SAMUEL; NOEL, JOHN; EUN, DANIEL D.
To: TEMPLE UNIVERSITY-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Reel/Frame 070362/0456 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17134622 · Dec 28, 2020
Continuation 15614885 · Jun 6, 2017
Provisional Application 62346392 · Jun 6, 2016
Related Publication 20230218194A1 · Jul 13, 2023
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