Three Dimensional Minimally-Invasive Spinal Imaging System and Method
First Claim
8-1. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spinal animation application configure to generate a spinal animation as a function of a plurality of readings taken from said implants.
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Abstract
A method and system is disclosed that is operable to generate a location value associated with an implant that has been implanted in a predetermined location of a vertebra of a spine. The location value can be utilized to generate a three-dimensional animation of the spine in motion. The system includes a plurality of implants that include a controller having a memory. The implants also include a telemetry unit connected with the controller that is used to wirelessly transmit and receive data. In addition, the implants include an acoustic generator that is configured to generate an acoustic pulse in response to a signal from the controller. An external control unit is wirelessly connected with the implant for receiving various data values from the implant.
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Citations
20 Claims
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8-1. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spinal animation application configure to generate a spinal animation as a function of a plurality of readings taken from said implants.
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9. A system, comprising:
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at least one implant configured to be implanted on a vertebra of a spine, wherein said implant includes a controller connected with an acoustic generator that is operable to generate an acoustic pulse in response to a signal from said controller, wherein said implant includes a gyroscope connected with said controller configured to generate an angular rotation reading associated with said vertebra, wherein said implant includes an accelerometer connected with said controller configured to generate an angular motion reading associated with said vertebra, and a first telemetry unit connected with said controller; an external control unit connected with a second telemetry unit in communication with said first telemetry unit of said implant, wherein said external control unit is connected with at least three external receiver patches placed on a patient'"'"'s skin in a spaced apart relationship in relation to said at least one implant, wherein said external control unit is operable to generate a reading signal that is transmitted to said controller of said implant and associate a first time value with said reading signal; and wherein in response to said reading signal said controller is operable to generate said signal to cause said acoustic generator to generate said acoustic pulse, wherein in response to said reading signal said controller obtains and transmits said angular rotation reading and said angular motion reading to said external control unit, wherein each of said external receiving patches are operable to generate detection signals that are transmitted to said external control unit when said acoustic pulse is detected by said external receiving patches, and wherein said external control unit is operable to assign a detection time value to each detection signal received from each respective external receiving patch. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method, comprising:
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generating a reading request with an external control unit that is wirelessly transmitted to at least one implant oriented in a predetermined location on a vertebra of a spine; recording a first time value associated with said reading request; generating an acoustic ping with said implant in response to said reading request; obtaining an angular rotation reading and a angular movement reading in response to said reading request; wirelessly transmitting said angular rotation reading and said angular movement reading to said external control unit; monitoring at least three external receiving patches connected with said external control unit for detection of said acoustic ping; recording a detection time value from each said external receiving patch when said acoustic ping is detected; storing said first time value, said angular rotation reading, said angular movement reading, and said detection time values in a database associated with said external control unit; calculating a location value for said at least one implant as a function of said first time value and said detection time values; and generating a graphical animation of said implants on said vertebra of said spine as a function of said location value, said angular rotation reading, and said angular movement reading.
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Specification