Implantable biomarker and method of use
First Claim
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1. An implantable biomarker for tracking a device in a mammalian body, the implantable biomarker comprising:
- a dielectric base having a means for mounting the implantable biomarker on the device; and
a plurality of wave-guide rods, the plurality of wave-guide rods being disposed on a plane and extending from the dielectric base in a parallel orientation, the plurality of wave-guide rods being integral with the dielectric base.
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Abstract
The present invention provides an implantable biomarker for finding a location inside a patient while performing minimally invasive or open surgical procedures. The implantable biomarker includes a dielectric base that includes two opposing sides from which extend a plurality of wave-guide rods. The implantable biomarker is preferably mounted upon a surgical instrument or surgical implant and used in conjunction with an image-guided system to enable a surgeon to quickly and easily find the location without requiring extensive x-rays or the use of expensive and cumbersome equipment.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An implantable biomarker for tracking a device in a mammalian body, the implantable biomarker comprising:
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a dielectric base having a means for mounting the implantable biomarker on the device; and
a plurality of wave-guide rods, the plurality of wave-guide rods being disposed on a plane and extending from the dielectric base in a parallel orientation, the plurality of wave-guide rods being integral with the dielectric base. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An image guided system for tracking a device in a mammalian body, the image guided system comprising:
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an implantable biomarker having a dielectric base and a plurality of wave-guide rods, the plurality of wave-guide rods being disposed on a plane and extending from the dielectric base in a parallel orientation;
a means for mounting the implantable biomarker on the device;
a transducer adapted to emit an excitation signal and receive a return signal;
a computer adapted to interpret the return signal and determine the location of the implantable biomarker, the computer being operably connected to the transducer; and
a means for reporting the location of the implantable biomarker, the means for reporting being operably connected to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. An image guided system for tracking a surgical instrument in a mammalian body, the image guided system comprising:
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an implantable biomarker having a dielectric base and a plurality of wave-guide rods;
a means for mounting the implantable biomarker on the surgical instrument adjacent an operative tip of the surgical instrument;
a transducer adapted to emit an excitation signal and receive a return signal;
a computer operably connected to the transducer, the computer having a means for interpreting the return signal and determining the location of the implantable biomarker, the computer also having a means for extrapolating the location of the surgical instrument based upon the location of the implantable biomarker; and
a means for reporting the location of the surgical instrument, the means for reporting being operably connected to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. An image guided system comprising:
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a surgical implant;
an implantable biomarker operably mounted on the surgical implant, the implantable biomarker having a dielectric base and a plurality of wave-guide rods;
a transducer adapted to emit an excitation signal and receive a return signal;
a computer operably connected to the transducer, the computer having a means for interpreting the return signal from the transducer and determining the location of the implantable biomarker; and
a means for reporting the location of the surgical implant, the means for reporting being operably connected to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for tracking a surgical instrument during an operation on a mammalian body, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a surgical instrument having an implantable biomarker mounted adjacent an operative tip of the surgical instrument, the implantable biomarker having a dielectric base and a plurality of wave-guide rods;
providing a transducer adapted to emit an excitation signal and receive a return signal, the transducer being operably connected to a computer that includes a means for interpreting the return signal from the transducer and determining the location of the implantable biomarker, the computer also having a means for extrapolating the location of the surgical instrument based upon the location of the implantable biomarker, and the computer also having a means for reporting the location of the surgical instrument;
inserting the operative tip of the surgical instrument into the mammalian body; and
positioning the transducer for operatively transmitting the excitation signal into the mammalian body and receiving the return signal from the implantable biomarker.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
mounting the implantable biomarker on a mounting collar; and
mounting the mounting collar adjacent the operative tip of the surgical instrument.
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17. The method of claim 15 wherein the dielectric base includes two opposing sides extending from the dielectric base, and each of the plurality of wave-guide rods extend from, in alternating order, one of the two opposing sides, such that each of the plurality of wave-guide rods overlaps those adjacent, between the two opposing sides, and are disposed on a plane and in a parallel orientation.
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18. A method for tracking a surgical implant within a mammalian body, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a surgical implant having an implantable biomarker mounted thereon, the implantable biomarker having a dielectric base and a plurality of wave-guide rods;
providing a transducer adapted to emit an excitation signal and receive a return signal, the transducer being operably connected to a computer that includes a means for interpreting the return signal from the transducer and determining the location of the implantable biomarker and a means for reporting the location of the surgical implant;
inserting the surgical implant into the mammalian body; and
positioning the transducer for operatively transmitting the excitation signal into the mammalian body and receiving the return signal from the implantable biomarker. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification