Targeting device for an implant
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in securing a first member to a second member, wherein said second member is hidden from visual observation within a third member comprising:
- A. a first member, said first member having a first receiver and at least one connector receiving means for receiving a connector, B. a guide member, said guide member having one of a second receiver or a transmitter and carrying said connector;
C. electronics for positioning and orienting said guide member relative to said first member connector receiving means, said device having;
(a) a direct current magnetic field transmitter;
(b) at least one magnetic field receiver for receiving said transmitted direct current magnetic fields;
(c) power means for supplying direct current electrical signals to said magnetic field transmitter to create said transmitted direct current magnetic fields;
(d) receiver electronics for measuring, and converting out-put signals from said magnetic field receiver into position and orientation measurements, (e) programmed computer, said programmed computer having a visual display member, said output signals from said receiver electronics being converted into position and orientation measurements and visually displayed on said computer visual display member, whereby the relative position and orientation of said first member connector receiving means relative to said guide member is determined.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention discloses a two- or three-axis transmitter positioner driven by a pulsed DC current, external to the patient, coupled with three- or two-axis receivers positioned internal and/or external to the implant. The receivers are sensitive to a transmitted DC magnetic field emanating from the activated transmitter. Receiver signal processing electronics control the receiver and serve to convert its output to a format suitable for processing by a digital computer in conjunction with a method for processing received signals so as to thereby develop position and orientation data of the transverse locking holes or pin placement. Such data then can be graphically displayed to the user so as to guide the user for accurate alignment of a drill bit with the transverse holes in the implanted device.
183 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in securing a first member to a second member, wherein said second member is hidden from visual observation within a third member comprising:
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A. a first member, said first member having a first receiver and at least one connector receiving means for receiving a connector, B. a guide member, said guide member having one of a second receiver or a transmitter and carrying said connector;
C. electronics for positioning and orienting said guide member relative to said first member connector receiving means, said device having;
(a) a direct current magnetic field transmitter;
(b) at least one magnetic field receiver for receiving said transmitted direct current magnetic fields;
(c) power means for supplying direct current electrical signals to said magnetic field transmitter to create said transmitted direct current magnetic fields;
(d) receiver electronics for measuring, and converting out-put signals from said magnetic field receiver into position and orientation measurements, (e) programmed computer, said programmed computer having a visual display member, said output signals from said receiver electronics being converted into position and orientation measurements and visually displayed on said computer visual display member, whereby the relative position and orientation of said first member connector receiving means relative to said guide member is determined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. The method of calibrating and determining the fixed offset distance and orientation between at least two positions relative to third position, where the first position is the location of a magnetic field transmitter, comprising the steps of:
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1—
transmitting a predetermined magnetic field from said first position,2—
positioning a movable guide element to a first of said at least two positions, said movable guide element having means for receiving said predetermined magnetic field,3—
receiving said predetermined magnetic field at said first of said at least two positions,4—
receiving said predetermined magnetic field at a second of said at least two positions,5—
computing the fixed distance and orientation offset between said first position and said second position of said at least two positions,6—
storing in a computer data memory, the computed data representing said fixed distance and orientation offset between said first position and said second position of said at least two positions,whereby said movable guide member at said second of said at least two positions can be reproducably located relative to said first of said at least two positions, by means of magnetic fields transmitted from said first position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification