Targeting device for an implant
First Claim
1. A method of securing an implant into a bone using a targeting device having at least a first and a second magnetic field communication units, said first and second communication units being at least one receiver, said receiver receiving multi-axis pulsed direct current magnetic signals in each of three orthogonal planes, and at least one transmitter, said transmitter transmitting multi-axis pulsed direct current magnetic signals in each of three orthogonal planes, a programmed computer having a visual display for displaying relative spatial orientations, comprising the steps of:
- A) placing a first of said communication units carried in a fixed position by a drill guide,B) inserting an implant into a bone, said implant having at least one connector means for receiving a connector to secure said implant to said bone, said connector means being in a fixed position relative to a second of said communication units,C) determining the position and orientation of said drill guide relative to said connector receiving means, by(a) transmitting a pulsed direct current magnetic signal from said transmitting unit;
(b) receiving said transmitted pulsed direct current magnetic signal at one of said at least two communication units, said magnetic signals providing the position and location of said communication units in relation to one another;
(c) converting received pulsed direct current magnetic signals into a relative position and orientation data into a format read by said programmed computer;
(d) displaying said converted relative position and orientation data on said programmed computer visual display member,D) aligning said drill guide with said connector means by viewing a virtual representation of said position and orientation of said connector means and said drill guide as indicated on said visual display member, andE) drilling a hole in said bone in alignment with said connector means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of securing an implant into a bone using a targeting device having at least two magnetic field communication units are disclosed. The device consists of at least a receiver and transmitter for multi-axis pulsed direct current magnetic signals in each of three orthogonal planes. One of the communication units carried in a fixed position by a drill guide and a second of the communication units is in a fixed, offset position relative to an implant connector. The position and orientation of the drill guide relative to the implant connector is determined by the transmission of the pulsed direct current magnetic signal from the transmitting unit and receiving that signal at the receiver. The signals provide the position and location of the communication units in relation to one another. The signals are converted into position and orientation data format readable by a programmed computer. The converted data is displayed on the display, enabling the alignment of the drill guide with the connector by viewing the virtual representation of the position and orientation of the connector and drill guide. A substantially offset support member can be used to releasably support the proximal end of the implant. A third communication unit in the support member can also communicate with the unit in the drill guide to enable the calculation of the relative locations of connector and drill guide.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of securing an implant into a bone using a targeting device having at least a first and a second magnetic field communication units, said first and second communication units being at least one receiver, said receiver receiving multi-axis pulsed direct current magnetic signals in each of three orthogonal planes, and at least one transmitter, said transmitter transmitting multi-axis pulsed direct current magnetic signals in each of three orthogonal planes, a programmed computer having a visual display for displaying relative spatial orientations, comprising the steps of:
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A) placing a first of said communication units carried in a fixed position by a drill guide, B) inserting an implant into a bone, said implant having at least one connector means for receiving a connector to secure said implant to said bone, said connector means being in a fixed position relative to a second of said communication units, C) determining the position and orientation of said drill guide relative to said connector receiving means, by (a) transmitting a pulsed direct current magnetic signal from said transmitting unit; (b) receiving said transmitted pulsed direct current magnetic signal at one of said at least two communication units, said magnetic signals providing the position and location of said communication units in relation to one another; (c) converting received pulsed direct current magnetic signals into a relative position and orientation data into a format read by said programmed computer; (d) displaying said converted relative position and orientation data on said programmed computer visual display member, D) aligning said drill guide with said connector means by viewing a virtual representation of said position and orientation of said connector means and said drill guide as indicated on said visual display member, and E) drilling a hole in said bone in alignment with said connector means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification