Patent ID: 8535308
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A medical probe, comprising: an insertion tube, having a longitudinal axis and having a distal end; a distal tip, which is disposed distal to the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with a body tissue; a joint, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube; and a joint sensor, contained within the medical probe, for sensing a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, the joint sensor comprising first and second subassemblies, which are disposed within the medical probe on opposite, respective sides of the joint and each comprise one or more magnetic transducers, wherein the joint sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of an axial displacement and an orientation of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, and wherein one of the first and second subassemblies is coupled to be driven by an electrical current to emit at least one magnetic field, and the other of the first and second subassemblies is coupled to output one or more signals in response to the at least one magnetic field, wherein the signals are indicative of the position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube.