Ascension Technology has decreased the dimensions of its 3D Guidance medSAFE magnetic sensor to 0.90 mm (0.035 inch), without sacrificing tracking parameters.

The outer diameter of its new sensor is, small enough to comfortably fit the hollow tube of a 19-gauge biopsy needle, the Burlington, Vt.-based company said.

The new sensor passively senses pulsed DC magnetic fields generated by either a cubic transmitter or a flat transmitter and is available for easy integration and manufacturability by medical OEMs. Its first use is fast, accurate, and unobtrusive tracking of the distal tip of a needle deployed for soft tissue intervention, Ascension said.