Operating pointer with interactive computergraphics
First Claim
1. An operating pointer apparatus that can be changed from a pointer mode to a point at patient'"'"'s anatomy to a computer mouse mode to change the functionality of a computer means, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) an operating pointer adapted to be positioned at said patient'"'"'s anatomy and to serve as a surgical pointer and which contains position location means which enables a detection means to detect the position of said operating pointer relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy;
(b) an computer with graphics means to display said patient'"'"'s anatomy based on image data taken of said patient'"'"'s anatomy and cooperatively connected to said detecting means so as to display the position of said operating pointer relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy; and
,(c) switching means cooperatively associated with said operating pointer, said detecting means, and said computer that enables said operating pointer to be switched from said pointer mode in which the position of said operating pointer is indicated by said computer on said graphics means relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy, to said mouse mode in which, when said operating pointer is manipulated by the operator, said operator can change the functional modes as displayed on a functional menu on the graphics means, said functional modes corresponding to the functionality of the operating pointer relative to the computer.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to any operating pointer or arm apparatus whose position can be detected and read out on a computer and associated graphics display, and where the pointer can be changed from its pointer function to a "3D mouse" so as to alternately by use control the functionality of the computer as in calibration and display features. Specific embodiments of the invention are given, and one of them is a neurosurgical operating arm which has electronic readout for coupling to a computergraphic display which shows the position of the arm relative to patient anatomy. In one embodiment, the arm has five angular degrees of freedom to achieve a pointer position anywhere in space, at any angle. Electronic readout from the arm positions and joint angles are assimilated into a computegraphic display system. The display system displays anatomical image data taken from the patient with modern imaging techniques. Calibration steps are described to relate the initialization and the patient-related calibrations of the operating arm during surgery. A manual or footswitch control changes the operating arm from a space pointer to a "3D Mouse" that enables easy surgeon interaction with the computergraphics and control thereof. A unique arm geometry is described with specific joint and linkage configurations. In addition, a means for skin or skull-based fiducial system or a bite or dental impression-based frame with localizer rods for providing fiducial points is described for intraoperative calibration of the arm relative to the patient'"'"'s anatomy. Other embodiments of pointers involving optical or ultrasonic detection are given as examples.
882 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An operating pointer apparatus that can be changed from a pointer mode to a point at patient'"'"'s anatomy to a computer mouse mode to change the functionality of a computer means, said apparatus comprising:
-
(a) an operating pointer adapted to be positioned at said patient'"'"'s anatomy and to serve as a surgical pointer and which contains position location means which enables a detection means to detect the position of said operating pointer relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy; (b) an computer with graphics means to display said patient'"'"'s anatomy based on image data taken of said patient'"'"'s anatomy and cooperatively connected to said detecting means so as to display the position of said operating pointer relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy; and
,(c) switching means cooperatively associated with said operating pointer, said detecting means, and said computer that enables said operating pointer to be switched from said pointer mode in which the position of said operating pointer is indicated by said computer on said graphics means relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy, to said mouse mode in which, when said operating pointer is manipulated by the operator, said operator can change the functional modes as displayed on a functional menu on the graphics means, said functional modes corresponding to the functionality of the operating pointer relative to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An operating arm apparatus having the capability to indicate the position of points in a patient'"'"'s anatomy and to function alternatively as a pointer and a computer mouse, the operating arm comprising:
-
(a) articulating joints and connecting linkages between said joints and a tip end which is designed to be positioned at said patient'"'"'s anatomy and to serve as a surgical pointer; (b) readout means cooperatively connected to said operating arm to read out the position of said joints and linkages and the tip end of said operating arm; (c) computergraphics means to display said patient anatomy based on image data taken of said patient'"'"'s anatomy and adapted to accept said readout means and accordingly to display the relationship of said tip end of said operating arm relative to said patient anatomy; and
,(d) switch means to switch alternately the function of said operating arm from a graphics pointer mode to a mouse mode, wherein in said graphics pointer mode the position of said tip end of said operating arm is indicated on said graphics means, relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy, and wherein in said mouse mode the operating arm, when moved in space by the operator, is cooperatively connected by means of said readout means to move a cursor mark displayed on said computer graphics means relative to a functional menu displayed on said computer graphics means, whereby said operator can select from said functional menu by moving said operating arm, and thus select graphics and procedural functions related to said operating arm and said graphics means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An operating arm apparatus that can be converted from a graphics pointer relative to patient'"'"'s anatomy to a graphics mouse, said operating arm apparatus consisting:
-
(a) articulating joints and connecting links between said joints and a probe end which is designed to serve as a surgical probe to be pointed at said patient'"'"'s anatomy; (b) interface means cooperatively connected to said operating arm which gives readout on the configuration of said joints and said links; (c) computer means with graphic display means to display said patient anatomy based on image data taken of said patient'"'"'s anatomy and adapted to accept said readout means and accordingly to display the relationship of said probe end of said operating arm relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy; said operating arm, interface means, and computer means being so cooperatively adapted that said operating arm can be manipulated by the operator so that it can switch between being said graphics pointer, in which state the position of said probe end is indicated on said graphics display means relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy, and being said graphics mouse, in which state when said probe end is moved in space by said operator, a cursor marker is correspondingly moved on said graphics display means relative to a functional menu on said graphics display means and whereby selections can be made by said operator from said functional menu.
-
-
18. An operating arm apparatus having the capability to indicate the position of points in a patient'"'"'s anatomy and to function alternatively as a pointer and a computer mouse, said operating arm comprising:
-
(a) articulating joints and connecting links between said joints and a probe end which can be held by the operator, and electronic readout of said joints and said links that can interface to a computer; and
,(b) a computer that can store image data of said patient'"'"'s anatomy and display said image data on graphics display means, and which can accept said electronic readout and can thus indicate the position of said probe relative to said patient'"'"'s anatomy on said graphics means, and which further enables switching of the state of said operating arm to a computer mouse mode, in which when said probe end is manipulated by said operator, said operator can choose functional modes on a functional menu displayed on said graphics means.
-
Specification