US 12,324,633 B2
Electromagnetic sensor
Mark Robert Schneider, Williston, VT (US)
Assigned to Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo (CA)
Filed by Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo (CA)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/151,342.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/297,521, filed on Jan. 7, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0218350 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 34/20 (2016.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 34/20 (2016.02) [A61B 1/00167 (2013.01); A61B 5/0084 (2013.01); A61B 5/065 (2013.01); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2061 (2016.02)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a computer system comprising a processor to execute instructions;
an insertable structure usable in a surgical theater;
a fiber optic line extending through the structure, wherein the computer system is configured to determine a shape of the fiber optic line extending through the structure; and
two or more electromagnetic sensors wrapped at least in part around one or more portions of the fiber optic line, wherein the computer system is configured to determine a position and orientation of the two or more electromagnetic sensors, wherein the two or more electromagnetic sensors comprise:
a first electromagnetic sensor comprising a solenoidal geometry, the first electromagnetic sensor being wrapped at least in part around one of the one or more portions of the fiber optic line; and
a second electromagnetic sensor comprising a saddle geometry comprising a plurality of substantially 90 degree turns, the second electromagnetic sensor being wrapped at least in part around the first electromagnetic sensor, wherein the second electromagnetic sensor is insulated from the first electromagnetic sensor by an insulator; and
wherein the computer system is configured to determine a shape and a position of the structure based on the determined shape of the fiber optic line extending through the structure and the determined position and orientation of the two or more electromagnetic sensors.