OBJECTIVETo study the practicability of single-electrode metal detector by using it to take off foreign bodies from swine.

METHODSThe single-electrode metal detector was invented based on the theory of complementary oscillator. Twelve extremities were obtained from 3 Minnesota-Hormel stains 7-month old male swine. All the extremities were divided into 3 groups: lump metal foreign bodies were planted in group A, needle shape metal foreign bodies were planted in group B, and sand shapd metal foreign bodies were planted in group C. The self-invented single-electrode metal detector was used to take off these foreign bodies, and the taking times were recorded. After the operation, the X-ray was used to examine if the foreign bodies were still in the extremities of the swine.

RESULTSThe foreign bodies were taken off completely in the 3 groups, and the average time were 38 s, 3 min and 12 s, and 3 min and 59 s respectively. The X-ray examination confirmed that the detector could take off the foreign bodies completely.

CONCLUSIONThis detector has satisfactory effect in animal experiment, which could detect and extract metal foreign bodies quickly and exactly without X-ray help duration the operation, and can be used in clinical cases secondly.