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System and method for virtual representation of bones or a bone joint

  • US 6,801,801 B1
  • Filed: 05/03/2000
  • Issued: 10/05/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for planning a surgical operation by using virtual representation of bones and/or a bone joint, the system comprising:

  • at least two reference frames each of which having first and second ends, wherein the first end of each reference frame is configured to be affixed to bones;

    a plurality of first electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the second end of each of the reference frames;

    a moveable pointer having first and second ends, wherein the first end is a pointing tip configured to directly contact bone, bone tissue or a bone joint at a plurality of desired locations;

    a plurality of second electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the second end of the moveable pointer;

    a switching device configured to activate the second electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices; and

    a three-dimensional localizer device comprising;

    at least two sensors; and

    a digitizing device configured to determine three-dimensional coordinates of the first ends of the reference frames and the pointing tip based on positions and orientations of the first and second at least three electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the reference frames and the moveable pointer; and

    an image processing unit configured to generate a virtual three-dimensional surface image based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the first ends of the reference frames and the pointing tip, wherein the virtual three-dimensional surface image includes the plurality of desired locations of the bones or the bone joint that were pointed by the pointing tip.

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