DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF TRACKING ANATOMICAL FEATURES
First Claim
1. A method of tracking one or more anatomical features of a patient, comprising:
- introducing a first implantable magnetic source into a patient'"'"'s body;
fixedly securing the first implantable magnetic source to a first portion of a first anatomical feature of the patient; and
monitoring a magnetic field generated by the first implantable magnetic source with a magnetic sensing system positioned outside the patient'"'"'s body in order to track a position of the first implantable magnetic source fixedly secured to the first anatomical feature.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods of tracking one or more anatomical features of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of tracking anatomical features of a patient includes introducing a first implantable magnetic source into a patient'"'"'s body, fixedly securing the magnetic source to a first anatomical feature, and monitoring the magnetic field generated by the magnetic source with a magnetic sensing system positioned outside the patient'"'"'s body in order to track a position of the magnetic source. In another embodiment, a method of tracking anatomical features of a patient includes introducing a first implantable magnetic sensor into a patient'"'"'s body, fixedly securing the sensor to a first anatomical feature of the patient, and monitoring a strength of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic source positioned outside the patient'"'"'s body with the sensor in order to track a position of the sensor relative to the magnetic source.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of tracking one or more anatomical features of a patient, comprising:
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introducing a first implantable magnetic source into a patient'"'"'s body; fixedly securing the first implantable magnetic source to a first portion of a first anatomical feature of the patient; and monitoring a magnetic field generated by the first implantable magnetic source with a magnetic sensing system positioned outside the patient'"'"'s body in order to track a position of the first implantable magnetic source fixedly secured to the first anatomical feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of tracking anatomical features of a patient, comprising:
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introducing a first implantable magnetic sensor into a patient'"'"'s body; fixedly securing the first implantable magnetic sensor to a first portion of a first anatomical feature of the patient; and monitoring a strength of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic source positioned outside the patient'"'"'s body with the first implantable magnetic sensor in order to track a position of the first implantable magnetic sensor relative to the magnetic source. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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gaining minimally invasive access to a first bony anatomical feature; introducing at least one implantable device containing a permanent magnet into a patient'"'"'s body through the minimally invasive access; threadingly engaging a housing of the at least one implantable device with the first bony anatomical feature through the minimally invasive access; closing the minimally invasive access to the first bony anatomical feature with the at least one implantable device threadingly engaged with the first bony anatomical feature; and monitoring a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet contained by the at least one implantable device with a magnetic sensing system positioned outside the patient'"'"'s body in order to track a position of the at least one implantable device threadingly engaged with the first bony anatomical feature.
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Specification