Patent ID: 6214019
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A guidance system for determining a path to a target area within a volume, the system comprising:an instrument having a substantially straight portion and a tip;a magnet emitting a magnetic field with a family of zero-flux lines perpendicular to isogaussian planes, wherein a selected zero-flux line is intersectable with the target area and serves as a path for the instrument and the magnet is mountable on the straight portion of the instrument;a magnetometer capable placed in or on a remote site in approximate alignment with the target area and the selected zero-flux line, the magnetometer including a transducer array having a x-plane transducer, a y-plane transducer and a z-plane transducer; anda guidance circuit coupled to the transducer array which indicates when the magnet deviates from the selected zero-flux line.