Magnetic field digitizer for stereotactic surgery

• US 5,483,961 A
• Filed: 08/29/1994
• Issued: 01/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Compact International Incorporated (Publicis Groupe SA)
• Original Assignee: Patrick J. Kelly, Stephan J. Goerss
• Inventors: Kelly, Patrick J., Goerss, Stephan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZELE, KRISTA MICHELLE
• Application Number:
  US08/297,427
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 128/653.1, 128/653.2, 128/653.5, 601/4, 606/130, 364/413.13
• US Class Current: 600/429
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3411 with a plurality of holes, e.g. holes in matrix arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/10 for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis

Abstract

The present invention enables stereotactic surgery with a minimal structure present in order to facilitate surgery yet with enhanced accuracy in stereotactic imaging assistance to the surgeon. This device and method is known as "frameless" stereotaxis system, and uses coordinate referencing between the CT or MRI scans and a stereotactic referencing system which uses an electromagnetically driven system (transmitter and receiver) to determine the location of a stylus.

Magnetic field distortion is reduced through the use of a low frequency magnetic field. The frame of reference through which this system operates is coordinate referenced to the coordinates of a composite image formed from a CT, MRI, or other system which are arranged and may be generated in two or three dimensional fashion in response to the position of a pointer as they are referenced to the orientation of a patient during an operation. In the present device and method, registration of the scan images illustrating the lesion, with the physical position of the patient is performed by first synchronizing to two coordinate systems, which can be performed in several ways, including the calibration of the stylus to several landmarks on the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

Claims

1. A locating device for use with sterotactic device comprising:

electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises;

an electromagnetic transmitter having an input;

an electromagnetic receiver having an output;

a magnetic field digitizer having an input connected to said output of said electromagnetic receiver and a first output connected to said input of said electromagnetic transmitter, and a second output for outputting a position signal;

a computer having an input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitizer, a data input, and a display output; and

a display having an input connected to said display output of said computer;

an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with the three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field; and

a head holder for performing cranial surgery and wherein said head holder supports said electromagnetic transmitter.

2. A locating device for use with a stereotactic device comprising:

electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises;

electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;

an electromagnetic transmitter receiver means for receiving electromagnetic energy;

magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;

computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and for correcting error associated with said position signal, and having an input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input, and a display output and

display means for receiving said transmitted scan lines and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means; and

an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating mean and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field.

3. A locating device for use with a stereotatic device comprising:

electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises;

electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;

an electromagnetic receiver mean for receiving electromagnetic energy;

magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;

computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and for computing a midpoint reference base upon at least three reference positions and at least three points on scan images, each point associated with the position of an associated said reference position; and

having an input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input and a display output; and

display means for receiving said transmitted scan image and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means; and

an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field.

4. A locating device for use with a stereotatic device comprising:

electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises;

electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;

an electromagnetic receiver means for receiving electromagnetic energy;

magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;

computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and for correcting error associated with a position of said electromagnetic receiver means; and

having an input connected to said second input of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input, and a display output; and

display means for receiving said transmitted scan image and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means; and

an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field.

5. A locating device for use with a stereotactic device comprising:

electromagnetic position indicating mean for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises;

electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;

an electromagnetic receiver means for receiving electromagnetic energy;

magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;

computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and having and input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input, and a display output; and

display means for receiving said transmitted scan image and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means;

an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field; and

calibration means for providing a spatial position reference for said electromagnetic receiver means.