System and method for identifying a landmark
First Claim
1. A system for identifying a landmark, the system comprising:
- a. a field generator for generating a magnetic field;
b. an orthopaedic implant having at least one landmark;
c. a removable probe comprising a first magnetic sensor and a stop, the stop being configured to engage a portion of the orthopaedic implant or an instrument coupled to the orthopaedic implant to position the first magnetic sensor at a predetermined distance from the at least one landmark;
d. a landmark identifier;
e. a second magnetic sensor spaced from the landmark identifier and from the removable probe; and
f. a processor for receiving sensor data from the first and second magnetic sensors and for calculating a position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark,wherein the processor is configured to generate position and orientation information for the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor based on the sensor data that is produced by the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor while the first magnetic sensor is located at the predetermined distance from the at least one landmark, and wherein the processor is configured to use the position and orientation information, the predetermined distance, and additional sensor data from the second magnetic sensor to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark after the removable probe is removed from the orthopaedic implant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (1010, 1110) for identifying a landmark is disclosed. The system includes a field generator (1016, 1116) for generating a magnetic field, an orthopaedic implant (1030, 1130) located within the magnetic field, the implant having at least one landmark (1028, 1128), a removable probe (1029, 1129) with a first magnetic sensor (1026, 1126), a landmark identifier (1016, 1116) with a second magnetic sensor (1020, 1120) and a processor (1012, 1112) for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark. The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system for identifying a landmark, the system comprising:
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a. a field generator for generating a magnetic field; b. an orthopaedic implant having at least one landmark; c. a removable probe comprising a first magnetic sensor and a stop, the stop being configured to engage a portion of the orthopaedic implant or an instrument coupled to the orthopaedic implant to position the first magnetic sensor at a predetermined distance from the at least one landmark; d. a landmark identifier; e. a second magnetic sensor spaced from the landmark identifier and from the removable probe; and f. a processor for receiving sensor data from the first and second magnetic sensors and for calculating a position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark, wherein the processor is configured to generate position and orientation information for the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor based on the sensor data that is produced by the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor while the first magnetic sensor is located at the predetermined distance from the at least one landmark, and wherein the processor is configured to use the position and orientation information, the predetermined distance, and additional sensor data from the second magnetic sensor to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark after the removable probe is removed from the orthopaedic implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for identifying a landmark, the method comprising:
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providing an orthopaedic implant assembly having an orthopaedic implant with a longitudinal groove and a removable lead having a first magnetic sensor attached thereto situated within the longitudinal groove, the orthopaedic implant having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and at least one landmark on the distal end portion; implanting the orthopaedic implant assembly in a patient; obtaining position and orientation information generated based on signals produced by the first magnetic sensor while the removable lead is situated within the longitudinal groove; removing the removable lead and the first magnetic sensor from the orthopaedic implant; after removing the removable lead and the first magnetic sensor from the orthopaedic implant; installing a first transfixion element in the proximal end portion; after installing the first transfixion element in the proximal end portion, locating the at least one landmark using (i) a landmark identifier having a second magnetic sensor or a magnetic field generator, (ii) the position and orientation information generated based on signals produced by the first magnetic sensor while the removable lead is situated within the longitudinal groove, and (iii) a third magnetic sensor that is spaced apart from the landmark identifier; and installing a second transfixion element in the located at least one landmark in the distal end portion.
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24. A method for identifying a landmark, the method comprising:
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providing an orthopaedic implant assembly having an orthopaedic implant with a longitudinal groove and a removable lead having a first magnetic sensor attached thereto situated within the longitudinal groove, the orthopaedic implant having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and at least one landmark on the distal end portion, the removeable lead being removeable through an opening defined in the proximal end portion; providing a second magnetic sensor spaced from the orthopaedic implant; placing the orthopaedic implant in a patient; installing a first transfixion element in the proximal end portion; after installing the first transfixion element in the proximal end portion, (i) identifying the at least one landmark on the distal end portion using a landmark identifier and the second sensor and (ii) installing a second transfixion element in the identified at least one landmark on the distal end portion; and removing the removable lead through the opening in the proximal end portion. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for targeting a landmark, comprising:
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a medical implant having a landmark, the medical implant defining a groove; a removable probe comprising a first magnetic field sensor; a second magnetic field sensor; a landmark identifier; and a field generator for generating a magnetic field, wherein the landmark identifier and the field generator share a common housing; a control unit configured to (i) receive data from the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, and (ii) generate calibration information based on data received while the first magnetic field sensor is located in the groove in a predetermined position relative to the landmark, wherein the control unit is configured to use the calibration information and data from the second magnetic sensor to provide information that indicates the position of the landmark identifier relative to the landmark after the removeable probe is removed from the medical implant. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for identifying a landmark, the method comprising:
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providing an orthopaedic implant assembly having an orthopaedic implant with a longitudinal groove and a removable lead having a first magnetic sensor attached thereto situated within the longitudinal groove, the orthopaedic implant having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and at least one landmark on the distal end portion, the removeable lead being removeable through an opening defined in the proximal end portion; placing the orthopaedic implant in a patient; installing a first transfixion element in the proximal end portion at a location proximal to the first magnetic sensor of the removable lead while the removable lead is situated within the longitudinal groove; after installing the first transfixion element in the proximal end portion; identifying the at least one landmark on the distal end portion using a landmark identifier; and installing a second transfixion element in the identified at least one landmark on the distal end portion. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification