Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200794 | Multi-configuration tracknig array and related method - A navigation system generally determines a location of a portion of a first medical instrument relative to a patient. The navigation system generally includes a multi-configuration tracking array that extends from the first medical instrument. A plurality of tracking devices can be positioned on the multi-configuration tracking array. At least one of the tracking devices changes to define at least a first condition and a second condition. A tracking system detects the tracking devices and relates a change between the first condition and the second condition with a change between at least a first instrument configuration and a second instrument configuration. | 08-21-2008 |
20080214922 | Method for localizing an imaging device with a surgical navigation system - The position of an imaging device can be determined at least in part with a movement portion of the imaging device. The imaging device can be moved relative to the patient to obtain image data of the patient at different perspectives or angles. The image data obtained of the patient can be displayed with a display device at various perspectives and a tracked position of the instrument can be displayed at the appropriate perspective or a selected perspective relative to the image data with the display device based upon a known position of the imaging device. | 09-04-2008 |
20080262338 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATION OF A MAGNETIC STIMULATION PROBE - A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe. | 10-23-2008 |
20090118742 | System and Method for Navigated Drill Guide - A system for tracking a navigated instrument. The system can include a first elongated instrument and a second elongated instrument. The first elongated instrument can have a first proximal end and a first distal end. The first elongated instrument can be adapted to be positioned relative to an anatomy. The second elongated instrument can move adjacent to the first elongated instrument. The second elongated instrument can have a second proximal end and a second distal end. The system can also include at least one tracking device coupled to the second elongated instrument. When the second elongated instrument is in a first position, the at least one tracking device tracks the first distal end of the first elongated instrument, and when the second elongated instrument is in a second position, the at least one tracking device tracks the second distal end of the second elongated instrument. | 05-07-2009 |
20090281417 | Method and apparatus for tracking a patient - A system for tracking a patient is provided. The system can include a first reference frame coupled to a first portion of an anatomical structure. The system can include a second reference frame, which can be coupled to a second portion of the anatomical structure. The system can also include a first tracking device coupled to the first reference frame and a second tracking device coupled to the second reference frame. The system can also include a tracking system that can track a position of the first tracking device and the second tracking device to ensure that the position of the first reference frame relative to the anatomical structure is substantially the same throughout a surgical procedure. | 11-12-2009 |
20100152571 | COMBINATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC AND ELECTROPOTENTIAL LOCALIZATION - A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more types of navigation or modalities of navigation to navigate a single instrument. The single instrument can be positioned within the patient and tracked. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within a patient. | 06-17-2010 |
20100210939 | Method and Apparatus for Surgical Navigation - Disclosed is a surgical navigation system for tracking an instrument relative to a patient. The system can track a portion of the patient, an instrument, and/or both relative to image data, a coordinate system, an atlas, a morphed atlas, or combinations thereof. The system can include a tracking device on the instrument to provide six degree of freedom information regarding the location of the instrument. | 08-19-2010 |
20100228117 | System And Method For Image-Guided Navigation - Image data can be obtained with an imaging device. A location of the imaging device relative to a subject can be determined. A location of an instrument can be tracked relative to the subject using two or more tracking systems operating with different tracking modalities. Also, the tracked location of the instrument can be illustrated relative to the image data. | 09-09-2010 |
20100234724 | Navigating A Surgical Instrument - An instrument tracking device for cooperating with an instrument during a surgical procedure where the instrument has an elongated body extending along a first longitudinal axis and including a working member at a distal tip includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. An opening can be formed through the body along a second longitudinal axis. The opening can define a passthrough in the body from the distal end to the proximal end. A first tracking coil can be disposed in the body and can define a first tracking coil axis that is substantially coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the body. A connection mechanism cooperates between the elongated housing and the body that secures the body to the elongated housing of the instrument upon passing at least a portion of the elongated housing through the passthrough of the body in an assembled position. | 09-16-2010 |
20100290690 | System And Method For Automatic Registration Between An Image And A Subject - A patient defines a patient space in which an instrument can be tracked and navigated. An image space is defined by image data that can be registered to the patient space. A tracking device can be connected to a member in a known manner that includes imageable portions that generate image points in the image data. The tracking device can be tracked to register patient space to image space. | 11-18-2010 |
20110054293 | Combination Localization System - A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more navigation modalities to navigate a single instrument in a volume. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within the volume. Image data can also be illustrated relative to a tracked position of the instrument in the volume for navigation. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054304 | Combination Localization System - A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more navigation modalities to navigate a single instrument in a volume. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within the volume. Image data can also be illustrated relative to a tracked position of the instrument in the volume for navigation. | 03-03-2011 |
20110071389 | System and Method for Automatic Registration Between an Image and a Subject - A patient defines a patient space in which an instrument can be tracked and navigated. An image space is defined by image data that can be registered to the patient space. A tracking device can be connected to a member in a known manner that includes imageable portions that generate image points in the image data. Selected image slices or portions can be used to register reconstructed image data to the patient space. | 03-24-2011 |
20110237935 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A system can include an implantable device, an instrument, a display device and a processor. The implantable device can include a port and a localizer for generating a navigation field. The instrument can include a tracking device for sensing the navigation field. The processor can be operably coupled to the tracking and display devices and operable to determine a real-time location of the instrument relative to the port and a trajectory of the instrument relative to an insertion axis of the port. The processor system can be operable to cause the display device to graphically render the instrument as a plurality of two or three-dimensional rings positioned around an axis coincident with the determined trajectory and in spaced relation to each other along the axis. A first ring of the plurality of rings can be positioned at the determined instrument location relative to a graphical representation of the port location. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237936 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A support tool or a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to a patient includes an antenna array for receiving or sensing a navigation field. The navigation field can be generated from a localizer. The localizer can be incorporated or included in an implanted device. | 09-29-2011 |
20110237937 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A system to generate a navigation field relative to an implanted device is disclosed. The system can include a small and/or thin localizer array positioned in the implanted device. A power management scheme and circuits can be provided to conserve and resource power in the implanted device. | 09-29-2011 |
20110238034 | Method and Apparatus for Guiding an External Needle to an Implantable Device - A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis. | 09-29-2011 |
20110261180 | System and Method for Radio-Frequency Imaging, Registration, and Localization - A system for performing a medical procedure on a patient is provided. The system can include an imaging head defining a field of view relative to the patient. The imaging head can include at least one transmitter that emits at least one signal in the field of view, and at least one receiver that receives at least one reflected signal from the field of view. The at least one reflected signal received can be based on at least one electrical property of at least one material in the field of view. The system can further include a workstation, which can determine, based on the at least one reflected signal received by the at least one receiver, a location of at least one boundary of the material within the field of view. The system can include a display that displays an image of the location of the at least one boundary. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270081 | Navigated Malleable Surgical Instrument - A surgical instrument can include a body, a tracking device, and a handle. The body can include proximal and distal ends, and a flow passage extending therebetween. The body can be formed from a malleable material such that it can be bent between the proximal and distal ends from a first configuration to a second bent configuration and maintain the bent configuration. The tracking device can be positioned adjacent the distal end for tracking a distal tip of the instrument. The handle can be coupled to the proximal end of the body and can include an internal flow passage in fluid communication with the body flow passage. The tracking device can include a pair of lead wires wound around the body to the handle, where the wound wires can conform to the bent configuration of the body such that they do not strain or break during bending of the body. | 11-03-2011 |
20120197108 | Method and Apparatus for Image-Based Navigation - A system and method for a procedure that can be performed on any appropriate subject. Procedures can include assembling any appropriate work piece or installing members into a work piece, such as an airframe, autoframe, etc. Regardless of the subject, tracking a substantially small tracking device in a plurality of degrees of freedom is provided. The tracking device can be positioned on or be formed in an instrument to be tracked. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197109 | Method and Apparatus for Image-Based Navigation - A system and method for a procedure that can be performed on any appropriate subject. Procedures can include assembling any appropriate work piece or installing members into a work piece, such as an airframe, autoframe, etc. Regardless of the subject, tracking a substantially small tracking device in a plurality of degrees of freedom is provided. The tracking device can be positioned on or be formed in an instrument to be tracked. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197110 | Method and Apparatus for Image-Based Navigation - A system and method for a procedure that can be performed on any appropriate subject. Procedures can include assembling any appropriate work piece or installing members into a work piece, such as an airframe, autoframe, etc. Regardless of the subject, tracking a substantially small tracking device in a plurality of degrees of freedom is provided. The tracking device can be positioned on or be formed in an instrument to be tracked. | 08-02-2012 |
20120201421 | System and Method for Automatic Registration Between an Image and a Subject - A patient defines a patient space in which an instrument can be tracked and navigated. An image space is defined by image data that can be registered to the patient space. A tracking device can be connected to a member in a known manner that includes imageable portions that generate image points in the image data. Selected image slices or portions can be used to register reconstructed image data to the patient space. | 08-09-2012 |
20120220860 | Combination of Electromagnetic and Electropotential Localization - A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more types of navigation or modalities of navigation to navigate a single instrument. The single instrument can be positioned within the patient and tracked. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within a patient. | 08-30-2012 |
20120294491 | System and Method for Automatic Registration Between an Image and a Subject - A patient defines a patient space in which an instrument can be tracked and navigated. An image space is defined by image data that can be registered to the patient space. A tracking device can be connected to a member in a known manner that includes imageable portions that generate image points in the image data. The tracking device can be tracked to register patient space to image space. | 11-22-2012 |
20130102878 | Trackable Biopsy Needle - A trackable biopsy needle assembly including an inner tube of an outer cannula, an inner dielectric layer, a first coil, a second coil, a third coil, an outer dielectric layer, and an outer tube of the outer cannula. The inner tube defines a bore. The inner dielectric layer is secured onto an outer surface of the inner tube. The first, second, and third coils are wound over the inner dielectric layer. The outer dielectric layer is secured onto the first coil, the second coil, and the third coil. The outer tube is fastened to the outer dielectric layer. | 04-25-2013 |
20130296830 | Method And Apparatus For Guiding An External Needle To An Implantable Device - A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis. | 11-07-2013 |
20130303896 | Method And Apparatus For Guiding An External Needle To An Implantable Device - A system can include an implantable device, an instrument, a display device and a processor. The implantable device can include a port and a localizer for generating a navigation field. The instrument can include a tracking device for sensing the navigation field. The processor can be operably coupled to the tracking and display devices and operable to determine a real-time location of the instrument relative to the port and a trajectory of the instrument relative to an insertion axis of the port. The processor system can be operable to cause the display device to graphically render the instrument as a plurality of two or three-dimensional rings positioned around an axis coincident with the determined trajectory and in spaced relation to each other along the axis. A first ring of the plurality of rings can be positioned at the determined instrument location relative to a graphical representation of the port location. | 11-14-2013 |
20130317355 | Navigating A Surgical Instrument - An instrument tracking device for cooperating with an instrument during a surgical procedure where the instrument has an elongated body extending along a first longitudinal axis and including a working member at a distal tip includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. An opening can be formed through the body along a second longitudinal axis. The opening can define a passthrough in the body from the distal end to the proximal end. A first tracking coil can be disposed in the body and can define a first tracking coil axis that is substantially coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the body. A connection mechanism cooperates between the elongated housing and the body that secures the body to the elongated housing of the instrument upon passing at least a portion of the elongated housing through the passthrough of the body in an assembled position. | 11-28-2013 |
20140024920 | Methods And Apparatus For Electromagnetic Navigation Of A Magnetic Stimulation Probe - A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe. | 01-23-2014 |
20140148692 | Method and Apparatus for Surgical Navigation - Disclosed is a surgical navigation system for tracking an instrument relative to a patient. The system can track a portion of the patient, an instrument, and/or both relative to image data, a coordinate system, an atlas, a morphed atlas, or combinations thereof. The system can include a tracking device on the instrument to provide six degree of freedom information regarding the location of the instrument. | 05-29-2014 |
20140240481 | System And Method For Radio-Frequency Imaging, Registration, And Localization - A system for performing a medical procedure on a patient is provided. The system can include an imaging head defining a field of view relative to the patient. The imaging head can include at least one transmitter that emits at least one signal in the field of view, and at least one receiver that receives at least one reflected signal from the field of view. The at least one reflected signal received can be based on at least one electrical property of at least one material in the field of view. The system can further include a workstation, which can determine, based on the at least one reflected signal received by the at least one receiver, a location of at least one boundary of the material within the field of view. The system can include a display that displays an image of the location of the at least one boundary. | 08-28-2014 |
20140275989 | Navigation Field Distortion Detection - Disclosed is a method and system for navigating an instrument relative to a patient that can be near a field distorting feature. A localizer can generate an electromagnetic field that is sensed by a tracking device to determine a location of the tracking device with the sensed electromagnetic field. The system and related method can assist in determining whether a navigation field is distorted near a tracking device of the instrument. | 09-18-2014 |
20140323852 | Electromagnetic Coil Apparatuses for Surgical Navigation and Corresponding Methods - An electromagnetic device includes a jig and multiple wires. The jig includes a center member and coil-separating blocks. The coil-separating blocks protrude from the center member and are separated from each other to provide a coil channels. Each of the wires is wrapped on the jig, around the center member, and in one of the coil channels to form one of a multiple coils. Each of the coils is configured to connect to an electromagnetic navigation system and generate respective electromagnetic fields to be emitted relative to a subject. | 10-30-2014 |