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US5305751A
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Measurement of liquid flows in a living organism
Assignee: YNI Ltd
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Filing: 1992-06-04
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Granted: 1994-04-26
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Expires: 2012-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A method of measuring liquid flows in a living organism comprises the steps of applying an applied magnetic field to a living organism, introducing a time-varying quantity of a magnetizable fluid into a flow of liquid in the living organism, and measuring the variation in an induced magnetic field emanating from the living organism as a measure of the flow of the magnetizable fluid and the liquid within the living organism. The measurement of the induced magnetic field is preferably accomplished with at least two magnetic field sensors positioned at different locations relative to the living organism, whose outputs are detected with SQUID detectors. A cross correlation of the outputs of the magnetic field sensors permits the flow of liquid to be deduced as a function of time and location.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Chopp
- 👤 John Moran
- 👤 Norman Tepley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/026; A61B5/0265; A61B5/0275; A61B5/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of measuring liquid flows in a living organism, comprising the steps of: applying an applied magnetic field to a living organism; introducing a quantity of a magnetizable fluid from an external source into a flow or liquid in the living organism, wherein the quantity of magnetizable liquid flowing from the external source varies as a function of time; and measuring the variation in an induced magnetic field emanating from the living organism as a measure of the flow of the magnetizable fluid and the liquid within the living organism, the step of measuring including a step of determining a liquid flow from the measured magnetic field variation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of measuring liquid flows in a living organism, comprising the steps of: applying an applied magnetic field to a living organism; introducing a quantity of a magnetizable fluid from an external source into a flow or liquid in the living organism, wherein the quantity of magnetizable liquid flowing from the external source varies as a function of time; and measuring the variation in an induced magnetic field emanating from the living organism as a measure of the flow of the magnetizable fluid and the liquid within the living organism, the step of measuring including a step of determining a liquid flow from the measured magnetic field variation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a constant applied magnetic field is applied during the step of applying.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a time-varying applied magnetic field is applied during the step of applying.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a spatially varying applied magnetic field is applied during the step of applying.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of introducing includes the step of providing a magnetizable fluid which exhibits paramagnetism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of introducing includes the step of providing a magnetizable fluid which is a suspension of magnetite particles in a carrier fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring includes the substeps of positioning at least two magnetic field sensors at different locations adjacent to the living organism, and determining the induced magnetic field as a function of time at each of the magnetic field sensors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7, including the additional step, after the step of determining, of correlating the induced magnetic fields sensed by each of the magnetic field sensors to deduce the flow of the magnetizable fluid past the magnetic field sensors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the living organism is a human being.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the living organism is a non-human animal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of measuring liquid flows in a living organism, comprising the steps of: applying an applied magnetic field to a living organism; introducing a quantity of a magnetizable fluid from an external source into a flow of liquid in the living organism, wherein the quantity of magnetizable fluid flowing from the external source varies as a function of time; measuring the variation in an induced magnetic field emanating from the living organism as a measure of the flow of the magnetizable fluid and the liquid within the living organism using at least two magnetic field sensors disposed adjacent to the body, each magnetic field sensor having an associated SQUID detector that detects the electric current flowing in its associated magnetic field sensor; and correlating the induced magnetic fields sensed by each of the magnetic field sensors to deduce the flow of the magnetizable fluid past the magnetic field sensors.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of measuring liquid flows in a living organism, comprising the steps of: applying an applied magnetic field to a living organism; introducing a quantity of a magnetizable fluid from an external source into a flow of liquid in the living organism, wherein the quantity of magnetizable fluid flowing from the external source varies as a function of time; measuring the variation in an induced magnetic field emanating from the living organism as a measure of the flow of the magnetizable fluid and the liquid within the living organism using at least two magnetic field sensors disposed adjacent to the body, each magnetic field sensor having an associated SQUID detector that detects the electric current flowing in its associated magnetic field sensor; and correlating the induced magnetic fields sensed by each of the magnetic field sensors to deduce the flow of the magnetizable fluid past the magnetic field sensors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, wherein a constant applied magnetic field is applied during the step of applying.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, wherein a time-varying applied magnetic field is applied during the step of applying.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, wherein a spatially varying applied magnetic field is applied during the step of applying.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of introducing includes the step of providing a magnetizable fluid which exhibits paramagnetism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of introducing includes the step of providing a magnetizable fluid which is a suspension of magnetite particles in a carrier fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of measuring includes the step of providing magnetic field sensors which are made of a material that is a superconductor when cooled below a superconducting transition temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of measuring includes the step of providing magnetic field sensors which are planar loop magnetometers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of measuring includes the step of providing magnetic field sensors which are gradiometers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the step of correlating includes the step of determining the flow rate of the liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4079730A
Cited
JPH0284933A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-25 | 1997-10-25 | 1998-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-25 | 2001-10-25 | 2002-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-25 | 2005-10-25 | 2006-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |