Tracking data sheath

• US 5,830,144 A
• Filed: 03/06/1997
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonometrics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sonometrics Corporation
• Inventors: Vesely, Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MAULIN M
• Application Number:
  US08/812,249
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 600/459, 600/374, 600/466, 600/470
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2063 Acoustic tracking systems, e.g. using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/363 Use of fiducial points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3929 Active markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3958 emitting a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• 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 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 : involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 : involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/10 : for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 : with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/17 : for soft tissue, e.g. breast-holding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 : Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0166 : Sensors, electrodes or the like for guiding the catheter to a target zone, e.g. image guided or magnetically guided
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 : Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 3/00 : Measuring characteristics of vibrations by using a detector in a fluid G01H7/00, G01H9/00, G01H11/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 5/00 : Measuring propagation velocity of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves , e.g. of pressure waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/14 : using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/101 : Particularities of the measurement of distance G01S15/12, G01S15/14, and G01S15/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/66 : Sonar tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/86 : Combinations of sonar systems with lidar systems; Combinations of sonar systems with systems not using wave reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/876 : Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S15/872 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8922 : the array being concentric or annular
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/899 : Combination of imaging systems with ancillary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8993 : Three dimensional imaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/18 : using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52003 : Techniques for enhancing spatial resolution of targets G01S7/52046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/5206 : Two-dimensional coordinated display of distance and direction; B-scan display
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52074 : Composite displays, e.g. split-screen displays; Combination of multiple images or of images and alphanumeric tabular information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52079 : Constructional features constructional features of transducers B06B; mounting transducers G10K11/00; constructional features of ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices A61B8/44
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/6245 : Stereoscopic displays; Three-dimensional displays; Pseudo-three dimensional displays

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.

Claims

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.

2. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said connector means is located external to said elongated body member.

3. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric elements include PZT.

4. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said body member is formed of an elastomeric material.

5. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said body member is formed of a rigid material.

6. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of piezoelectric elements are cast, imbedded, or laminated between said outer and inner portions.

7. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said conductor means are wavy wires.

8. A tracking data sheath according to claim 1, wherein said sheath further comprises:

adhesive means for adhering said body member to said instrument means.

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:

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.

10. A method for configuring a surgical instrument with a position tracking sheath according to claim 9, wherein said position indicating means includes transducer means located in said elastomeric body member, the transducer means including a plurality of piezoelectric elements interconnected to form one or more transducer rings, wherein each piezoelectric element is fired individually by said position tracking system.

11. A method for configuring a surgical instrument with a position tracking sheath according to claim 9, wherein said position indicating means includes transducer means located in said elastomeric body member, the transducer means including a plurality of piezoelectric elements interconnected to form one or more transducer rings, wherein each piezoelectric element of the same transducer ring is fired in unison by said position tracking system.

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:

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.

13. A method for configuring a surgical instrument with a position tracking sheath according to claim 12, wherein each piezoelectric element is fired individually by said position tracking system.

14. A method for configuring a surgical instrument with a position tracking sheath according to claim 12, wherein each piezoelectric element of the same transducer ring is fired in unison by said position tracking system.

15. A tracking data sheath attachable to an instrument means comprising:

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.

16. A tracking data sheath according to claim 15, wherein said body member is generally elastomeric.

17. A tracking data sheath according to claim 15, wherein said body member is generally rigid.

18. A position tracking device attachable to an instrument means comprising:

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.

19. A position tracking device according to claim 18, wherein said transducer elements are piezoelectric elements.

20. A position tracking device according to claim 18, wherein said transducer elements are electromagnetic elements.