3D position and orientation measurements with a magnetic sensor for use in vascular interventions

In minimal-invasive intravascular procedures high ionising-radiation doses are employed to monitor the medical instruments during an intervention, creating an important health risk to the medical staff. To reduce the high doses, a magnetic-based navigation system to guide the medical tools to the intervention place without the use of X-rays is being developed. The system consists of a 3D magnetic source and a 3D magnetic sensor that is placed at the tip of the medical tool. The magnetic field generated by the source is measured by the sensor and converted by means of a mathematical algorithm into the position and orientation of the sensor with respect to the magnetic source. 1D measurements that were performed using a patient model are extended to 3D position and orientation measurements.