Patent ID: 6418335
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A61B,G01R,G01V

Abstract:
A method for noninvasive screening of a human body for the presence of a ferromagnetic foreign body, said method comprising:providing an instrument which includes at least one magnetic sensor, an applied field coil and a current source connected to said applied field coil and means for processing sensed signals from said at least one magnetic sensor, wherein said instrument functionally operates at room temperature and minimizes noise due to temperature fluctuations at said magnetic sensor; positioning said instrument external to a patient in proximity to a region of interest; supplying said applied field coil with current, thereby applying a magnetic field to said region of interest; sensing a response from said region of interest with said instrument; and outputting data corresponding to the magnetic susceptibility of a ferromagnetic foreign body within said region of interest.