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Method and apparatus for surgical navigation

  • US 8,644,907 B2
  • Filed: 04/29/2010
  • Issued: 02/04/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A navigation system, comprising:

  • an instrument extending along a longitudinal axis;

    a tracking device positioned on the instrument, including;

    a first length of wire wrapped around the longitudinal axis of the instrument for a selected plural number of turns to form a first coil extending along the longitudinal axis and having a first wrap axis that is non-normal to the longitudinal axis; and

    a second length of wire wrapped around a portion of the first coil and around the longitudinal axis of the instrument for a selected plural number of turns extending along the longitudinal axis and having a second wrap axis that is non-normal to the longitudinal axis; and

    a localizer emitting an electromagnetic field operable to be sensed by the tracking device, wherein the first wrap axis forms a first navigation vector and the second wrap axis forms a second navigation vector, wherein the first wrap axis and second wrap axis intersect at a single point.

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