Locator, device and method for electronically locating and reading the setting of an adjustable valve
Inventors
Negre, Philippe • Boyer, Christophe • Morel, Sylvain • Moureaux, Christophe
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8630695-B2
Publication Date
2014-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention is aimed at improving valve pinpointing and reading devices by proposing to activate a magnetic detection source allowing measurements regularly-distributed in a circle around an axis at predetermined measurement positions. An exemplary locator comprises a casing (26) provided with a mechanism for detecting and analyzing the magnetic field of the magnetic dipole of the valve. It comprises:—a magnetic detection source (36) able to detect and measure the magnetic field of the magnetic center of the valve at predetermined measurement positions distributed in a circle around an axis (X-X′), linked to—a microprocessor (32) for analyzing the measurements and for generating detection signals.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electronically locating method for a magnetic center of an implanted magnetic adjustable valve. The method pinpoints a fluid flow reference axis (Ax) for flow of fluid through the valve, then activates electronically detecting a magnetic field at predetermined measurement positions angularly and uniformly distributed in a circle around an axis. The magnetic field emitted by the valve is electronically measured at the predetermined measurement positions.
The method displaces the mechanism for electronically detecting a magnetic field until the magnetic field measured is substantially the same at substantially diametrically opposite positions, and the magnetic center of the valve is determined as the center between said opposite positions. In analysis, the microprocessor determines dipole orientation relative to the valve flow axis to compute and display a valve pressure setting, based on the measured magnetic field. In optional operation, the microprocessor estimates implantation depth by comparison using calibration values.
A further aspect is a device and locator architecture in which the magnetic field of the magnetic center is electronically detected and measured at predetermined angularly and uniformly distributed positions around an axis, and the microprocessor analyzes the measurements to generate detection signals. The described locator includes a casing surrounding the mechanism and the microprocessor, and the locator and selector are two separable units with a collar configured as a seat for the locator. The system provides guidance and pressure/orientation indication via electronic output, including a screen, LED, and/or sound emitter, aligned using reference axes of the locator (Az) and the valve (Ax).
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims: one method claim and two apparatus/device claims. Across these claims, the inventive content covers electronically measuring magnetic fields at predetermined angularly and uniformly distributed positions, analyzing the measurements with a microprocessor to locate a magnetic center and infer valve setting information, and implementing a separable locator/selector with alignment and readout features.
Electronic magnetic-center locating by diametrically opposite matching
A method that pinpoints the fluid flow reference axis (Ax), activates electronically detecting a magnetic field at predetermined measurement positions angularly and uniformly distributed in a circle around an axis, electronically measures the magnetic field emitted by the valve at the predetermined measurement positions, and displaces the mechanism until the magnetic field measured is substantially the same at substantially diametrically opposite positions, where the magnetic center of the valve is in the center between said opposite positions.
Magnetic-center locator with microprocessor-analyzed angular measurements
A locator comprising a casing surrounding a mechanism for electronically detecting and measuring a magnetic field (CM) of the magnetic center at predetermined measurement positions angularly and uniformly distributed in a circle around an axis, linked to a microprocessor for analyzing the magnetic field measurements and for generating detection signals.
Pinpointing and valve pressure detection using separable locator and selector with alignment frame
A device for pinpointing and detecting valve pressure that includes a locator with a mechanism for electronically detecting and measuring a magnetic field (CM) of the magnetic center at predetermined measurement positions angularly and uniformly distributed in a circle around an axis, linked to a microprocessor for analyzing the magnetic field measurements and for generating detection signals and a selector of tubular structure exhibiting a collar with an alignment frame configured as a seat for the locator, where the collar comprises an alignment frame (Az) for aligning the selector with respect to an axis (Ax) of flow, and where the locator and said selector are two separable units.
Overall, the claims focus on electronically detecting and measuring the magnetic field of an implanted adjustable valve’s magnetic center at uniformly distributed angular positions, using a microprocessor to analyze the magnetic-field measurements to locate the magnetic center and generate detection signals, and providing a locator/selector device with an alignment frame to relate the locator reference axis (Az) to the valve flow reference axis (Ax) for pressure-related indication.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?