Patent ID: 8204574

Claim:
A stylet for an image guided system, the image guided system including a locating device and operable for emitting an electromagnetic field for locating the stylet, the stylet comprising: a flexible elongate member; an electrically conductive member operatively secured over the flexible elongate member so as to encompass the flexible elongate member, the electrically conductive member including a positive lead and a negative lead; and a reinforcement member operatively secured to the flexible elongate member and which is disposed inside the electrically conductive member, the reinforcement member made of a magnetic material, the reinforcement member including a first member in electrical communication with the positive lead and a second member in electrical communication with the negative lead, the first member and second members being electrically insulated from each other, the first and second members being disposed in a substantially symmetric manner relative to a longitudinal axis of the flexible elongate member, the first and second members each have a substantially D-shaped cross section and each member having a flat surface, wherein the flat surfaces of the first and second members substantially oppose each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, the reinforcement member reinforcing the stylet and providing electrical communication between the electrically conductive member and the locating device such that current induced in the electrically conductive member due to the electromagnetic field is transmitted to the locating device via the reinforcement member.