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DARPA
Invests in World’s Smallest
Magnetic Sensors
BURLINGTON, VERMONT;
Ascension Technology
Corporation has received
a contract from the
Defense Advanced Projects
Agency (DARPA) to develop
the next generation
of pulsed DC magnetic
sensors for medical
use. DARPA’s interest
lies in the development
of tele-robotic systems
for performing emergency
battlefield procedures.
|
 |
Mock-up
of 0.6 mm sensor, far
left, that will be developed
in the next phase of
Ascension’s microBIRD
development program.
Six degrees-of-freedom
sensors with diameters
of 1.3 mm, 1.8 mm and
3 mm are currently available. |
The new tele-robotic
systems will seamlessly translate
a surgeon’s natural hand,
wrist and finger movements
into corresponding micro-movements
of a variety of instrumented
end-effectors positioned inside
the patient. Miniaturized
sensors are required on the
end-effectors to avoid collisions
among instruments while providing
precise 3D guidance to internal
targets.
The DARPA contract will fund
the development of a sensor
just 0.6 mm in diameter, with
a cable width of 0.4 mm, and
integrate it with Ascension’s
current microBIRD products.
A prototype device will be
delivered by mid-2006.
Under the leadership of Dr.
Richard Satava, DARPA has
already invested in the development
of Ascension’s microBIRD development
program. microBIRD utilizes
pulsed DC magnetic field tracking
technology for 3D guidance
of medical instruments, such
as scopes, probes and catheters,
for interventional and diagnostic
purposes. A key enabling technology
developed as part of the program
is Ascension’s “unique” flat
transmitter, which slides
beneath the patient, and negates
ferrous metal distortion of
sensor measurements.
For more information about
microBIRD and Ascension Technology
Corporation (Burlington, VT)
contact Trish Scott, tscott
(at) ascension-tech.com, or
visit www.ascension-tech.com.
-- end --
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jack Scully (802)
893-6657 or e-mail: jscully
(at) ascension-tech.com
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