Medical positioning system

• US 5,782,765 A
• Filed: 04/25/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Drogo IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jonkman, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, SHAWNA JEANNINE
• Application Number:
  US08/639,478
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 600/424, 600/9, 600/11, 600/13, 600/372, 600/390, 606/130, 128/897, 128/898, 128/899, 128/903
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• 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 5/062 using magnetic field

Abstract

A method and apparatus for positioning a probe inside a patient including a plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes arranged around the patient for communicating with the probe and generating navigation signals, a system for generating one or more positional signals in response to the navigational signals, and a system for collecting and analyzing those positional signals to determine the location of the medical instrument inside the patient'"'"'s body. The transmitting/receiving nodes may be arranged on a flexible blanket which is wrapped around and adhered to the patient'"'"'s body or over a table supporting the patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A medical positioning system comprising:

a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, the probe having one of a transmitter and a receiver provided thereon, the transmitter being adapted for generating a signal and the receiver being adapted to detect the signal;

a plurality of nodes provided on a flexible framework and arranged to substantially surround at least a portion of the patient, the nodes having the other of the transmitter and receiver provided thereon; and

a controller electronically connected to the receiver and adapted to interpret the signals received by the transmitter;

whereby the position of the probe with respect to the plurality of nodes can be determined by interpreting the signals controller.

2. A medical positioning system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible framework comprises a blanket.

3. A medical positioning system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible framework is adhered to at least a portion of the patient by adhesive.

4. A medical positioning system comprising:

a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, the probe having one of a transmitter and a receiver provided thereon, the transmitter being adapted for generating a signal and the receiver being adapted to detect the signal;

a plurality of nodes arranged to surround at least a portion of the patient over approximately 360°

in a plane passing through the patient, the nodes having the other of the transmitter and receiver provided thereon; and

a controller electronically connected to the receiver and adapted to interpret the signals received by the transmitter;

whereby the position of the probe with respect to the plurality of nodes can be determined by interpreting the signals controller.

5. A medical positioning system according to claim 4 wherein the nodes are provided on a flexible framework.

6. A medical positioning system according to claim 5 wherein the flexible framework comprises a blanket.

7. A medical positioning system according to claim 5 wherein the flexible framework is adhered to at least a portion of the patient by adhesive.

8. A medical positioning system according to claim 4 wherein the nodes are provided on a framework.

9. A medical positioning system according to claim 8 wherein the framework comprises a plurality of towers.

10. A medical positioning system comprising:

a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, the probe having one of a transmitter and a receiver provided thereon, the transmitter being adapted for generating a signal and the receiver being adapted to detect the signal;

a plurality of nodes provided in a flexible framework blanket, the nodes being arranged around at least a portion of the patient and having the other of the transmitter and receiver provided thereon; and

a controller electronically connected to the receiver and adapted to interpret the signals received by the transmitter;

whereby the position of the probe with respect to the plurality of nodes can be determined by interpreting the signals controller.

11. A medical positioning system according to claim 10 wherein the flexible framework is adhered to at least a portion of the patient by adhesive.

12. A medical positioning system comprising:

a probe adapted for insertion into a patient, the probe having one of a transmitter and a receiver provided thereon, the transmitter being adapted for generating a signal and the receiver being adapted to detect the signal;

a plurality of nodes provided on a plurality of towers arranged to substantially surround at least a portion of the patient, the nodes having the other of the transmitter and receiver provided thereon; and

a controller electronically connected to the receiver and adapted to interpret the signals received by the transmitter;

whereby the position of the probe with respect to the plurality of nodes can be determined by interpreting the signals controller.