Accession Number:

ADA193361

Title:

Method for Locating a Small Magnetic Object in the Human Body,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NEW YORK UNIV N Y

Personal Author(s):

• Kaufman, Lloyd
• Williamson, Samuel J.
• Ilmoniemi, Risto J.
• Weinberg, Harold
• Boyd, Arthur D.

Report Date:

1988-02-29

Pagination or Media Count:

15.0

Abstract:

A piece of a thin acupuncture needle lodged under the right scapula of a patient could not be found in surgical procedures accompanied by studies of 30 standard X-ray images. To locate it, we mapped the magnetic field component normal to a plane lying above the object, using a superconducting quantum interference device SQUID. Assuming that the needle could be modelled as a magnetic dipole, we were able to infer its lateral position, depth, orientation, and magnetic moment. With this information, directed CT scans, high-resolution X-ray films, and the subsequent surgical removal of the needle proved that it could be located in the body with an accuracy of about three millimeters.

Descriptors:

• *ACUPUNCTURE
• *NEEDLES
• *SURGERY
• *MAGNETIC DETECTION
• ACCURACY
• HIGH RESOLUTION
• HUMAN BODY
• INTERFERENCE
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• MAGNETIC MOMENTS
• QUANTUM THEORY
• SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
• X RAY FILM
• SUPERCONDUCTORS

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Medical Facilities, Equipment and Supplies

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE