Magnetic tracker system and method for use for surgical navigation
First Claim
1. A method for magnetically tracking a device of interest, the method comprising:
- generating a plurality of pre-determined multi-frequency signals, wherein the pre-determined multi-frequency signals are phase shifted with respect to each other;
transmitting a plurality of magnetic fields from a transmitter circuit based on the corresponding pre-determined multi-frequency signals, the magnetic fields propagating through an area of examination encompassing the device of interest and a magnetic sensor coupled to the device of interest;
generating a sensor signal at the magnetic sensor indicative of a field strength of the magnetic fields transmitted by the transmitter circuit;
determining a direction of the magnetic fields with respect to the magnetic sensor based on the phase shift between the pre-determined multi-frequency signals;
determining a position of the magnetic sensor relative to the transmitter circuit based on the multi-frequency signals and the sensor signal;
determining at least one of;
a position and an orientation of the device of interest in relation to the determined position of the magnetic sensor; and
manipulating the device of interest to at least one of;
a desired position and a desired orientation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for magnetically tracking a device of interest generating a plurality of pre-determined multi-frequency signals. The method and system transmits a plurality of magnetic fields from a transmitter circuit based on the corresponding pre-determined multi-frequency signals. The magnetic fields propagating through an area of examination encompassing the device of interest and a magnetic sensor coupled to the device of interest. The method and system generate a sensor signal at the magnetic sensor indicative of field strength of the magnetic fields transmitted by the transmitter circuit. Further, the method and system determine a position of the magnetic sensor relative to the transmitter circuit based on the multi-frequency signals and the sensor signal.
30 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for magnetically tracking a device of interest, the method comprising:
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generating a plurality of pre-determined multi-frequency signals, wherein the pre-determined multi-frequency signals are phase shifted with respect to each other; transmitting a plurality of magnetic fields from a transmitter circuit based on the corresponding pre-determined multi-frequency signals, the magnetic fields propagating through an area of examination encompassing the device of interest and a magnetic sensor coupled to the device of interest; generating a sensor signal at the magnetic sensor indicative of a field strength of the magnetic fields transmitted by the transmitter circuit; determining a direction of the magnetic fields with respect to the magnetic sensor based on the phase shift between the pre-determined multi-frequency signals; determining a position of the magnetic sensor relative to the transmitter circuit based on the multi-frequency signals and the sensor signal; determining at least one of;
a position and an orientation of the device of interest in relation to the determined position of the magnetic sensor; andmanipulating the device of interest to at least one of;
a desired position and a desired orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A magnetic tracking system for tracking a device of interest, the system comprising:
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a transmitter circuit configured to generate a plurality of magnetic fields based on corresponding pre-determined multi-frequency signals, wherein the pre-determined multi-frequency signals are phase shifted with respect to each other, the magnetic fields propagating through an area of examination; a magnetic sensor coupled to the device of interest, the magnetic sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a field strength of the magnetic fields transmitted by the transmitter circuit when positioned within the area of examination; a controller configured to determine a position of the magnetic sensor relative to the transmitter circuit based on the pre-determined multi-frequency signals and the sensor signal, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a direction of the magnetic fields with respect to the magnetic sensor based on the phase shift between the plurality of pre-determined multi-frequency signals; and
further wherein the controller is configured to determine at least one of;
a position and an orientation of the device of interest in relation to the determined position of the magnetic sensor and manipulate the device of interest to at least one of;
a desired position and a desired orientation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification