• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.232-237
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• 2023

This paper presents a system for estimating the position of a magnet using a magnetic sensor. An algorithm is presented to analyze the waveform and output voltage values of the magnetic field generated at each position when the magnet moves and to estimate the position of the magnet based on the analyzed data. Here, the magnet is sufficiently small to be inserted into a blood vessel and has a micro-magnetic field of hundreds of nanoteslas owing to the small size and shape of the guide wire. In this study, a highly sensitive magneto-impedance (MI) sensor was used to detect these micro-magnetic fields. Nine MI sensors were arranged in a 3×3 configuration to detect a magnetic field that changes according to the position of the magnet through the MI sensor, and the voltage value output was polynomially regressed to specify a position value for each voltage value. The accuracy was confirmed by comparing the actual position value with the estimated position value by expanding it from a 1D straight line to a 3D space. Additionally, we could estimate the position of the magnet within a 3% error.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.395-401
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• 2019

This paper proposes a method for estimating the location of a magnetized tip that is inside a non-transparent space or body by using arrayed giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors. In general, an object located in such an opaque space can be detected using X-rays, magnetic fields, ultra-sonic sensors, etc., depending on its characteristics. X-ray is mostly used for medical purposes but frequent exposure to it could cause harm to patients as well as doctors. In this study, how well a GMR sensor is applicable instead of an X-ray is investigated. The sensor's voltage output is experimentally fitted to distance with a relationship of 3rd degree polynomial. To detect a small magnetized tip with 900 Oe inside a human body, a 2×2 arrayed GMR sensor and a location estimation algorithm based on information acquired from four sensors is developed. Evaluation tests show that the suggested method is applicable to limited cases with a distance less than 33-55 mm, and the location of a magnet tip is estimated relatively well with an error less than 1.5 mm.