Patent Application
20170119341
This disclosure relates to implants, and more particularly to detecting visually hidden or masked items within a patient during surgery.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
There are certain situations in which it may be necessary or desirable to locate a metallic or nonmetallic object or mechanical fastener or other object within the body. For example, many surgical procedures require the temporary implantation of mechanical fasteners such as screws, pins, metal wires, staples, etc. that subsequently must be removed. Implanted screws can require removal due to complications like pain, infection, ineffectiveness, repair or replacement. There are also situations in which it is desirable to remove a fastener after a bone or other structure has healed. Aside from fasteners and other objects that are deliberately implanted, metallic objects—like bullets, shrapnel, and other shards of metal—sometimes make their way into the body and require removal. Many surgical tools and instruments such as clips, clamps, retractors, forceps used during surgery can be misplaced during surgeries and particularly during emergency surgeries requiring time-critical actions.
The position of the fastener, surgical tools, or other metallic or nonmetallic object may be difficult to immediately identify visually during surgery, as they may be obscured by blood or body tissues. Accordingly, there is a need for a handheld object detection device for use during surgery to identify foreign objects within the patient and to allow a surgeon or user of the device to accurately mark a location associated with the detecting on a patient's surface.
An apparatus for metal and/or nonmetallic detection is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a first end portion sized and adapted for holding by a user and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, wherein the second end portion includes a centrally located aperture, a detection coil within the second end portion, and a detection circuit connected to the detection coil, the detection circuit and detection coil being configured to detect the presence of an element proximate to the second end portion.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Similarly, the phrase “in some embodiments,” as used herein, when used multiple times, does not necessarily refer to the same embodiments, although it may. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based upon” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other exemplary embodiments.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the depictions are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,
The network 14 may be any suitable series of points or nodes interconnected by communication paths. The network 14 may be interconnected with other networks and contain sub networks network such as, for example, a publicly accessible distributed network like the Internet or other telecommunications networks (e.g., intranets, virtual nets, overlay networks and the like). The network 14 may facilitate the exchange of data between and among the detection device 12, the computing device 18, and the server system 16 although in various embodiments the detection device 12 may be directly connected to the computing device 18.
The computing device 18 and the server system 16 may each be: various embodiments of a computer including high-speed microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, and/or data storage devices. The server system 16 preferably executes database functions including storing and maintaining a database and processes requests from the detection device 12 and the computing device 18 to extract data from, or update, a database as described herein below. The server 16 may additionally provide processing functions for the detection device 12 and the computing device 18 as will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a careful reading of the teachings herein.
In addition, the detection device 12 may include one or more applications that the user may operate. Operation may include downloading, installing, turning on, unlocking, activating, or otherwise using the application. The application may comprise at least one of an algorithm, software, computer code, and/or the like, for example, mobile application software. In the alternative, the application may be a website accessible through the world wide web.
The device 12 is equipped with an inductance-to-digital converter 40 that measures parallel impedance of an LC resonator 42 located in the detection portion 14. In this way, the device 12 detects objects by receiving energy and not providing energy into a patient that may interfere with embedded medical devices. The planar-shaped portion 14 further includes an aperture 30 from which a medical professional may mark through the device upon detecting a foreign object. For example, an indication may be made to the user such as via the lighting devices 20-23, an audio signal or a display that a foreign object is below the portion 14 of the device 12. The detected indication of a foreign object is weaker at some areas that others, e.g., it is stronger when in close proximity and weaker further away. Upon making a determination that the detected indication is stronger at a particular point, the user may hold the device in that position, insert a pen or marker through the aperture 30 and make a mark on the patient or bandage indicating the area where the foreign object is detected.
In various embodiments, the device 12 may utilize beat frequency oscillation (BFO), Very low frequency (VLF), Pulse induction (PI), dielectric capacitance and/or ultra sound technology and/or single transistor RF pulse circuit, and/or induction balance, and/or, balanced coils, or any combination of these technologies. In operation, the user activates the device 12 with a push button 16, the user physically moves the handheld device 12 over the skin or open surgical field. As the signal strength changes an audible and/or visual indicator, e.g., from the lighting devices 20-23 will alert or otherwise indicate to the user nearing the location of presence of the foreign material.
The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereto. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
