A brain measurement apparatus configured to generate an MR image and a brain's magnetic field distribution of a subject includes: an MRI module having a transmission coil configured to transmit a transmission pulse toward the subject and a detection coil configured to detect a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated in the subject by the transmission pulse; an optically pumped magnetometer configured to detect a brain's magnetic field of the subject; a generator configured to generate the MR image based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signal detected by the detection coil and generating the brain's magnetic field distribution based on the brain's magnetic field detected by the optically pumped magnetometer; a marker displayed on the MR image generated by the generator; and a helmet-type frame to which the detection coil, the optically pumped magnetometer, and the marker are attached and which is attached to a head of the subject.

The invention provides a magnetic inductive sensing device (30) comprising a loop antenna (10) for inductively coupling with electromagnetic (EM) signals emitted from a medium in response to stimulation of the medium with electromagnetic excitation signals. The device includes an electromagnetic shield (36) element which is arranged such as to intercept electromagnetic signals travelling to or from the antenna. The shield element is formed of conductive material such as to block electrical field components of incident signals but further incorporates a non-conductive gap in the material so as to prevent the formation of eddy currents. A loop of the antenna is broken by an opening, the opening being bridged by a capacitor, and the device comprises a signal processing means which is electrically coupled to the antenna via only a single point of the antenna, located to one side of the opening.

A medical device comprises a control system, processing modules, and a wire bundle connecting the control system to the processing modules, the wire bundle comprising control lines and data lines. Each processing module is coupled to a respective set of sensors arranged to interface with a biological tissue site, the sensors being configured to capture analog physiological signals generated from the biological tissue site. The control system is configured to generate a control signal on the control lines to initiate a data collection cycle by the processing modules. In response to the control signal, each processing module is configured to perform a respective data collection process which comprises (i) capturing and processing an analog physiological signal on each enabled sensor to generate a data sample for each analog physiological signal captured on each enabled sensor, and (ii) outputting data samples to the control system on the data lines.

A surgical robotic system includes a plurality of magneto sensors for measuring a torque, axial force, angle, position, or speed of various driven members in the surgical robotic system.

During both invasive and non-invasive treatments and therapies, inaccuracies in locating the areas of interest mean that not all the area is treated, or the treatment is incomplete. A magnetic field probe 100, 1010, 102, 103 is provided that improves determination of a disposition of an implantable magnetic marker 200, the probe comprising a first 110, 120 and second 110, 120 magnetic sensor, substantially disposed along a transverse axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the probe 150. The first 110, 120 and second 110, 120 magnetic sensors are close to the distal end 160 of the probe, and are separated by a minor sensor separation. A third 120, 130 magnetic sensor is provided close to the proximal end 165, separated by a major sensor separation from the second magnetic sensor 110, 120 close to the distal end 160, the major sensor separation being larger than the minor sensor separation; and the ratio of the major sensor separation to the minor sensor separation is in the range 1.25 to 40, preferably in the range 1.6 to 7.6. In this example, the second magnetic sensor is functionally configured and arranged to co-operate with both the first magnetic sensor and the third magnetic sensor. This may be implemented using three or more magnetic sensors. This provides a probe capable of accurately determining one or more dispositions of the implantable magnetic marker when the distal end of the probe is close to the marker and also when it is further away. In particular, including the pair of sensors close to the distal end may increase the sensitivity and accuracy of the probe.

A stimulation system includes an energy source, an electronics unit with a controller, and an actuator that is coupled with the electronics unit and/or the energy source. The actuator emits electromagnetic waves for stimulation of genetically manipulated tissue. The electronics unit is disposed in a housing. The stimulation system is configured for at least temporary implantation in a human or animal body. The controller controls the stimulation of tissue in the body by way of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the actuator. A selector of the stimulation system selects the area of the said tissue for stimulation. The selector includes a masking device for masking certain areas of the tissue, so that an intensity of the stimulation for the masked areas is reduced or equal to zero.

A magnetic marker for marking a site in tissue in the body. In one embodiment, the marker comprises a magnetic metallic glass. In another embodiment, the marker is in a non-spherical configuration having an anisotropy ratio less than 9. In yet another embodiment, the marker is in a non-spherical configuration having an anisotropy ratio less than 6. In yet another embodiment, the marker is in a non-spherical configuration having an anisotropy ratio less than 3.

The invention relates to a measurement device 1 comprising a rotatable magnetic object 4 which can oscillate with a resonant frequency if excited by an external magnetic torque. The measurement device 1 is adapted such that the resonant frequency depends on the temperature or on another physical or chemical quantity like pressure, in order to allow for a wireless temperature measurement or measurement of the other physical or chemical quantity via an external magnetic field providing the external magnetic torque. This measurement device can be relatively small, can be read-out over a relatively larger distance and allows for a very accurate measurement.

A calibration method includes receiving magnetic field values, which are generated by a plurality of real magnetic transmitters and are measured at multiple positions on a grid in a region containing a magnetic field perturbing element. Approximate locations of the real magnetic transmitters are received. Using the approximate locations, a respective plurality of imaginary magnetic sources is characterized inside the field perturbing element. Using the measured magnetic field values, the approximate locations, and the characterized imaginary sources, there are iteratively calculated (i) actual locations of the real and imaginary magnetic sources in the region, and (ii) modeled magnetic field values that would result from the real and imaginary magnetic sources at the actual locations. Using the calculated locations, and the modeled magnetic field values at the multiple positions on the grid, a magnetic field calibration function is derived for the region.

An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.