A system and a method for determining an orientation of a biomedical stimulation device

• Main Authors: MARTENS, HUBERT CÉCILE FRANÇOIS, VAN KAAM, PATRICK WILHELMUS, TOADER, EMIL-CODRUT, KLEIBEUKER, JOHAN GERARD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 16.07.2014
• Subjects: DIAGNOSIS; ELECTROTHERAPY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MAGNETOTHERAPY; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; RADIATION THERAPY; SURGERY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY

The application relates to a system (1) for determination of an orientation (14) of a biomedical stimulation device (2) in respect to an object (20). The system comprises the first biomedical stimulation device (2) comprising at least two stimulator for elements (4A;4C) and a generator (22) arranged for feeding the stimulator elements (4A;4C) with time-varying electric signals (6A;6C), wherein the time-varying electric signals (6A;6C) differ by a predetermined phase. The system further comprises a sensor device (10) with a known relative position (X;α) with respect to the first biomedical stimulation device (2), arranged for sensing a sensing signal (8) from the stimulator elements (4A;4C), wherein the sensing signal (8) is originated from the time-varying electric signals (6A;6C) from the stimulator elements (4A;4C) and a processor device (12) arranged for determining the orientation (14) of the first biomedical stimulation device (2) based on a sensed phase of the sensing signal (8), phases of the time-varying signals (6A;6C) and the known relative position (X;α). Said system accurately determines the orientation, i.e. angular position, of the biomedical stimulation device in respect to the object. The orientation is also accurately determined when the biomedical stimulation device is implanted in the object. Such a system is relatively cheap. The application also relates to a method for determination of an orientation (14) of a first biomedical stimulation device (2) in respect to an object (20).