Implantable sensor for determining position coordinates

• US 20020045812A1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maier Fenster, Shlomo Ben-Haim
• Original Assignee: Maier Fenster, Shlomo Ben-Haim
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo, Fenster, Maier
• Application Number:
  US09/872,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20020045812A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/029 Measuring or recording blood output from the heart, e.g. minute volume A61B8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1077 Measuring of profiles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/368 comprising more than one electrode co-operating with different heart regions A61N1/3622, A61N1/3627 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/912 Method or apparatus for measuring or testing prosthetic

Abstract

A method of measuring the size of an area (22) within a body, including bringing at least one position sensor (28) to each of a plurality of points in the area, determining position coordinates of the plurality of points, using the sensor (28) and calculating distances between the plurality of points.

Claims

1. A method of measuring the size of an area within a body, comprising:

bringing at least one position sensor to each of a plurality of points in the area;

determining position coordinates of the plurality of points, using the sensor; and

calculating distances between the plurality of points.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein bringing the at least one sensor to the plurality of points comprises bringing the distal end of a probe with the at least one sensor mounted thereon into contact with each of the plurality of points.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein bringing the distal end into contact with each of the plurality of points comprises passing the distal end over a surface adjacent the area.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein bringing the at least one sensor to the plurality of points comprises bringing the at least one sensor to a plurality of points on one or more pieces of a fractured bone.

5. A method as in any of claims 1-4, and comprising constructing a geometrical map of the plurality of points.

6. A method as in any of claims 1-4, and comprising calculating a volume associated with the area.

7. A method as in any of claims 1-4, and comprising identifying a region of the area in which there is less than a predetermined density of determined points, and prompting a user to bring a sensor to the region to determine coordinates of additional points.

8. A method as in any of claims 1-4, wherein the area is in motion, and the method comprises

associating at least one reference sensor with the area, so that the reference sensor moves with the area;

determining the position of the reference sensor when the position of a point is determined, and

comparing the positions of the plurality of points to the position of the reference sensor, so as to transform the positions to a substantially stationary frame of reference.

9. A method as in any of claims 1-4, and comprising measuring a physiological parameter at the plurality of points, indicative of whether the point belongs to the area to be measured.

10. A method of aligning pieces of a fractured bone, comprising:

uniquely associating an anchor point with each of the pieces;

determining for each piece coordinates of a plurality of points, which are descriptive of the shape and position of the piece relative to the anchor point;

moving the pieces so as to alien the bone based on the shapes and positions of the pieces;

repeatedly determining coordinates of the anchor points while moving the pieces; and

updating position information regarding the pieces, based on the coordinates of the anchor points, for guidance in moving the pieces.

11. A method as in claim 10, and comprising notifying a user when the distance between two pieces is smaller than a predetermined distance.

12. A method as in claim 10, wherein updating the position information comprises calculating the volume of an area between two pieces.

13. A method as in any of claims 10-12, and comprising:

producing an image of the pieces; and

updating the image based on the updated position information.

14. A method as in any of claims 10-12, and comprising producing a model of a volume between two pieces.

16. Apparatus as in claim 15, and comprising a screen for displaying a geometrical map of the plurality of points based on the coordinates.

15. Apparatus for intrabody measurement of an area within a body, comprising:

a probe for insertion into the area,

a position sensor mounted on the probe,

a position determining system, which determines position coordinates of the sensor at a plurality of points adjacent the area, and

calculating circuitry, which calculates distances between the plurality of points.

17. Apparatus as in any of claims 15-16, and comprising a modeling machine, coupled to the calculating circuitry, which produces a model of the area responsive thereto.

18. Apparatus as in any of claims 15-16, wherein the circuitry calculates a density of the plurality of points and signals a user as to areas in which the density is below a predetermined limit.

19. Apparatus as in any of claims 15-16, wherein the area is in motion, and the apparatus comprises:

a reference catheter, including a reference sensor, wherein the position determining system determines position coordinates of the reference sensor when determining the coordinates of the plurality of points,

wherein the calculating circuitry compares the coordinates of the plurality of points to the coordinates of the reference sensor, so as to transform the coordinates of the points to an inert frame of reference.

20. Apparatus for aligning pieces of a fractured bone, comprising

a plurality of bone position sensors, which are connected to corresponding pieces;

a position determining system for determining positions of the sensors;

a probe, including a probe position sensor, which is passed over a plurality of points on the surface of one or more of the pieces, wherein the position determining system determines coordinates of the plurality of points, representative of the shapes of the pieces; and

calculating circuitry, which determines and updates the coordinates of the plurality of points on the pieces, responsive to movements of the bone position sensors

21. The apparatus of claim 20, and comprising an imaging device for producing an image of the pieces, wherein the coordinates of the plurality of points are registered with the image

23. Apparatus as in any of claims 21-22, wherein the circuitry produces a geometrical map, based on the coordinates, which is displayed along with the images of the fractures.

24. Apparatus as in any of claims 21-22 wherein the calculating circuitry calculates distances between pieces.

22. Apparatus for aligning pieces of a fractured bone, comprising

a plurality of position sensors, which are fixed to corresponding ones of the pieces;

an imaging device, which produces an image of the pieces;

a position determining system which determines position coordinates of the sensors; and

calculating circuitry, which associates each piece seen in the image with its respective position sensor and updates the positions of the pieces in the image, responsive to changes in the coordinates of the sensors.