Implantable sensor for determining position coordinates based on electromagnetic waves
First Claim
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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.
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Abstract
A method of measuring the size of an area (22) within a body, includind 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.
75 Citations
24 Claims
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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.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of aligning pieces of a fractured bone, comprising:
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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 align 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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for intrabody measurement of an area within a body, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for aligning pieces of a fractured bone, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (21, 23, 24)
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22. Apparatus for aligning pieces of a fractured bone, comprising:
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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.
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Specification