Patent ID: 6558377
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for detecting the detachment of an implant from a guiding member coupled thereto, wherein the implant is guided by the guiding member into a target site in a living being, comprising:means for generating a current; means for supplying the generated current via the guiding member to the implant; means for measuring a voltage and current between the guiding member and the ground for a plurality of cycles, during each of which the voltage and current are measured for a plurality of times; means for computing the average of the measured voltages and the average of the measured currents in each cycle; means for determining the detachment of an implant from the guiding member based on a change in impedance between the guiding member and the ground, wherein the change is detected using the average voltage and average current of the latest cycle of voltage and current measurements, and the average voltage of the previous cycle of voltage and current measurements; means for extracting the minimum of average voltages each of which is taken for a plurality of voltage measurements; and means for comparing the minimum with the present average, and storing the present average as a new minimum voltage if it is less than the minimum voltage.