SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TABLESIDE REMOTE CONNECTIONS OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS USING WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20080109012A1
• Filed: 11/03/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Jensen, Vernon T., Falco, Francois E., Leparmentier, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US11/556,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20080109012A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/107 Visualisation of planned trajectories or target regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/376 using X-rays, e.g. fluoroscopy
• 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 6/04 Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like operating tables A61G13/00; operating chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4441 the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/547 involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

System, method and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, a tool interface unit (TIU) of a medical navigation system or an integrated medical imaging and navigation system includes a wireless transceiver to communicate with a navigation computer in order to reduce or eliminate cabling between the TIU and the navigation computer. In some embodiments, the TIU is mounted to a side of a surgical table in order to reduce the possibility of contamination of the cables from a non-sterile environment. In some embodiments, the TIU is battery powered and includes a battery and a battery charger.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in navigated surgical procedures, the apparatus comprising:

a tool interface unit; and

a navigation computer operably coupled to the tool interface unit via a wireless communication path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of instruments and devices operably coupled to the tool interface unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tool interface unit comprises at least one wireless transceiver and a processor operably coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tool interface unit further comprises a power supply operably coupled to the processor, the power supply operable to supply power to the processor and the at least one wireless transceiver.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply is a battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one wireless transceiver is operable to establish the wireless communication path between the tool interface unit and the navigation computer.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one wireless transceiver is operable to establish a wireless communication path between the plurality of instruments and devices and the tool interface unit.

9. A tool interface unit comprising:

a processor; and

at least one wireless transceiver operably coupled to the processor, the at least one wireless transceiver operable to establish a wireless communication path to a navigation computer.

10. The tool interface unit of claim 9, further comprising a cable interface operably coupled to the processor, the cable interface operable to pass data between the processor and a plurality of cables, the plurality of cables being operably coupled to a plurality of instruments and devices.

11. The tool interface unit of claim 10, wherein the at least one wireless transceiver is operable to receive from the processor position and orientation information for each of the plurality of instruments and devices, and operable to transmit the position and orientation information to the navigation computer via a wireless communication path.

12. The tool interface unit of claim 9, wherein the at least one wireless transceiver is operable to establish a wireless communication path between a plurality of instruments and devices and the tool interface unit, and operable to transmit data between the plurality of instrument and devices and the processor.

13. The tool interface unit of claim 9, further comprising a power supply operably coupled to the processor, the power supply operable to supply power to the processor and the at least one wireless transceiver.

14. The tool interface unit of claim 13, wherein the power supply is a battery.

15. The tool interface unit of claim 14, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

16. The tool interface unit of claim 15, further comprising a battery interface operably coupled to the battery, the battery interface operable to receive AC electrical power from an external power source, and operable to charge the rechargeable battery.

17. A medical navigation system comprising:

a tool interface unit; and

a workstation operably coupled to the tool interface unit via a wireless communication path.

18. The medical navigation system of claim 17, wherein the medical navigation system is an integrated medical imaging and navigation system.

19. The medical navigation system of claim 18, further comprising an imaging system operably coupled to the workstation.

20. The medical navigation system of claim 17, further comprising a cable management apparatus mounted adjacent to the tool interface unit for supporting excess cable lengths.

21. The medical navigation system of claim 17, wherein the tool interface unit is mounted to a side of a table.

22. The medical navigation system of claim 21, wherein the table includes a rail and the tool interface unit is mounted to the rail on the side of the table.

23. The medical navigation system of claim 17, wherein the workstation includes a navigation computer operably coupled to the tool interface unit via a wireless communication path.

24. The medical navigation system of claim 17, further comprising at least one instrument and/or at least one navigation sensor operably coupled to the tool interface unit via a wireless communication path.

25. The medical navigation system of claim 17, wherein the tool interface unit comprises at least one wireless transceiver, and a processor operably coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver.

26. A method for navigated surgical procedures, the method comprising:

mounting a tool interface unit to a side of a table;

establishing a wireless communication path between the tool interface unit and a navigation computer; and

transmitting data between the tool interface unit and the navigation computer via the wireless communication path.