Method of tracking an object having a passive transponder attached thereto

• US 7,969,143 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2001
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: superDimension, Ltd. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gilboa, Pinhas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zaveri; Subhash
• Application Number:
  US09/860,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,690 Days
• Field of Search: 324/207.17, 324/207.23, 324/207.22, 324/244, 324/245, 702/153, 702/150, 702/152, 342/450, 342/451, 342/463, 342/448
• US Class Current: 324/207.17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3975 active
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/225 Helmet sighting systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/004 for measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/02 Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux G01R33/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/66 Radar-tracking systems; Analogous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/874 Combination of several systems for attitude determination in general G01C, control of attitude G05D1/49
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of tracking translation and rotation of one or more objects within a region of interest. The method includes providing a passive transponder in the region of interest, the transponder having a position and an orientation, generating an electromagnetic field in the region of interest, causing the transponder to generate electromagnetic signal, mapping the electromagnetic field and the signal as functions of the position and the orientation of the transponder, fixing the transponder to the object being tracked, receiving the signals generated by the transponder while the transponder is fixed to the object being tracked, and processing the signal, with reference to the functions, to compute the three-dimensional translational position and three-axis rotational orientation of the object.

Claims

1. A method of tracking translation and rotation of one or more objects within a region of interest, comprising:

providing a passive transponder in the region of interest, the transponder having a position and an orientation;

generating an electromagnetic field in the region of interest, thereby causing the transponder to transmit electromagnetic signals;

mapping said electromagnetic field and said signals as functions of the position and the orientation of the transponder;

fixing the transponder to the object being tracked;

receiving the signals transmitted by the transponder while the transponder is fixed to the object being tracked; and

processing the signals, with reference to said functions, to compute the three-dimensional translational position and three-axis rotational orientation of the object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving is effected using at least one sensor separate from the transponder.