Patent ID: 8517031
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body, said system defining a coordinate system and comprising: first and second drive electrodes configured to be affixed to opposed external surfaces of said body so as to create a first pathway for transmission of current through said body and thereby generate a voltage on a device electrode having a known positional relationship to said medical device; first and second reference electrodes disposed proximate said first and second drive electrodes, respectively, and coupled to a common reference node, said common reference node outputting a reference signal, said reference signal establishing an origin of said coordinate system; third and fourth drive electrodes configured to be affixed to opposed external surfaces of said body so as to create a second pathway for transmission of current through said body orthogonal to said first pathway; third and fourth reference electrodes disposed proximate said third and fourth drive electrodes, respectively, and coupled to said common reference node; and, an electronic control unit configured to determine said position of said medical device responsive to a position signal generated by said device electrode and said reference signal.