INTEGRATED MEDICAL TRACKING SYSTEM

• US 20080103509A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Goldbach, Gunter
• Application Number:
  US11/923,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A medical tracking system includes a tracking unit including an image recording and image signal processing system, and a programmable computer platform integrated with the tracking unit. The programmable computer platform includes a navigation unit configured to implement at least part of medical navigation.

Claims

1. A medical tracking system, comprising:

a tracking unit including an image recording and image signal processing system, and

a programmable computer platform integrated with the tracking unit, wherein the programmable computer platform includes at least a part of a medical navigation unit.

2. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the image recording and image signal processing system and the programmable computer platform are formed as a single assembly.

3. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking unit and the programmable computer platform are arranged in a common casing.

4. The tracking system according to claim 1, further comprising a multi-purpose broadband interface for data transfer with instruments or devices utilized during navigation.

5. The tracking system according to claim 1, further comprising a mass storage device.

6. The tracking system according to claim 5, wherein the mass storage device is a removable mass storage device.

7. The tracking system according to claim 5, wherein the mass storage device is a hard drive.

8. The tracking system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote control device communicatively coupled to the tracking system, said remote control device operative to provide a user interface for the tracking unit and/or the programmable computer platform.

9. The tracking system according to claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface or display device coupled to the tracking system.

10. The tracking system according to claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface and/or display device are communicatively coupled to the tracking system via a wireless connection.

11. The tracking system according to claim 1, comprising at least one of:

a marker illumination device for the operating field;

or

a control interface for controlling the tracking system.

12. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the programmable computer platform is configured to perform at least one of:

a synchronous image acquisition function;

an image processing function;

a marker identification and/or tracking function;

an instrument identification and/or tracking function;

a storage function;

a remote login function;

a function for graphically visualizing and/or graphically superimposing instruments or instrument shapes;

a function for implementing or performing or assisting application-specific tasks.

13. The tracking system according to claim 12, wherein the storage function includes storage of at least one of application-specific information, patient information, updatable tracking system operational information (updates) or information concerning medical apparatus, instruments or devices.