Tracking data sheath
First Claim
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1. A tracking data sheath attachable to an instrument means comprising:
- an elongated body member having an outer portion and an inner portion;
transducer means for generating tracking signals, the transducer means including a plurality of piezoelectric elements interconnected to form one or more transducers rings, wherein the transducer rings are arranged between the outer and inner portions;
conductor means for interconnecting the plurality of piezoelectric elements and communicating tracking signals to and from the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and
connector means for connecting the tracking data sheath to an associated position tracking system, the connector means connected to said conductor means.
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Abstract
A tracking data sheath (20,20'"'"',100) arrangable on a variety of different surgical instruments (e.g., catheters and probes) to provide the surgical instruments with 3-D tracking capability. The tracking data sheath (20,20'"'"',100) being generally elastomeric or rigid for convenient installation and removal, and having transducers (30) and conductors (32) embedded therein.
147 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tracking data sheath attachable to an instrument means comprising:
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an elongated body member having an outer portion and an inner portion; transducer means for generating tracking signals, the transducer means including a plurality of piezoelectric elements interconnected to form one or more transducers rings, wherein the transducer rings are arranged between the outer and inner portions; conductor means for interconnecting the plurality of piezoelectric elements and communicating tracking signals to and from the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and connector means for connecting the tracking data sheath to an associated position tracking system, the connector means connected to said conductor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for configuring a surgical instrument with a position tracking sheath including a generally elastomeric body member having at least one open end, and position indicating means for indicating the position of the position tracking sheath, the method comprising:
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rolling the sheath along the longitudinal axis thereof into a rolled-up position; inserting the surgical instrument into the open end of the sheath over the surgical instrument; unrolling the sheath from the rolled-up position onto the surgical instrument; and connecting the position indicating means with a position tracking system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for configuring a surgical instrument with a position tracking sheath including a generally rigid body member having at least one open end, and position indicating means for indicating the position of the position tracking sheath, the method comprising:
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inserting the surgical instrument into the sheath; and connecting the position indicating means with a position tracking system, wherein the position indicating means includes transducer means integrally formed in the sheath, the transducer means including a plurality of piezoelectric elements interconnected to form one or more transducer rings. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A tracking data sheath attachable to an instrument means comprising:
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an elongated body member; transducer means for generating tracking signals, the transducer means including a plurality of electromagnetic elements interconnected to form one or more transducer rings; conductor means for interconnecting the plurality of electromagnetic elements and communicating tracking signals to and from the plurality of electromagnetic elements; and connector means for connecting the tracking data sheath to an associated position tracking system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A position tracking device attachable to an instrument means comprising:
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an elongated body member; transducer means for generating position tracking signals, the transducer means including a plurality of interconnected transducer elements; conductor means for interconnecting the plurality of transducer elements and communicating tracking signals to and from the plurality of transducer elements; and connector means for connecting the tracking data sheath to an associated position tracking system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification