Three Dimensional Minimally-Invasive Spinal Imaging System and Method

• US 20120065497A1
• Filed: 09/10/2010
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brown, Richard L., Herrmann, Erik J.
• Application Number:
  US12/879,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20120065497A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2063 Acoustic tracking systems, e.g. using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3929 Active markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0875 for diagnosis of bone A61B5/4504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A method and system is disclosed that is operable to generate a location value associated with an implant that has been implanted in a predetermined location of a vertebra of a spine. The location value can be utilized to generate a three-dimensional animation of the spine in motion. The system includes a plurality of implants that include a controller having a memory. The implants also include a telemetry unit connected with the controller that is used to wirelessly transmit and receive data. In addition, the implants include an acoustic generator that is configured to generate an acoustic pulse in response to a signal from the controller. An external control unit is wirelessly connected with the implant for receiving various data values from the implant.

Claims

8-1. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spinal animation application configure to generate a spinal animation as a function of a plurality of readings taken from said implants.

9. A system, comprising:

at least one implant configured to be implanted on a vertebra of a spine, wherein said implant includes a controller connected with an acoustic generator that is operable to generate an acoustic pulse in response to a signal from said controller, wherein said implant includes a gyroscope connected with said controller configured to generate an angular rotation reading associated with said vertebra, wherein said implant includes an accelerometer connected with said controller configured to generate an angular motion reading associated with said vertebra, and a first telemetry unit connected with said controller;

an external control unit connected with a second telemetry unit in communication with said first telemetry unit of said implant, wherein said external control unit is connected with at least three external receiver patches placed on a patient'"'"'s skin in a spaced apart relationship in relation to said at least one implant, wherein said external control unit is operable to generate a reading signal that is transmitted to said controller of said implant and associate a first time value with said reading signal; and

wherein in response to said reading signal said controller is operable to generate said signal to cause said acoustic generator to generate said acoustic pulse, wherein in response to said reading signal said controller obtains and transmits said angular rotation reading and said angular motion reading to said external control unit, wherein each of said external receiving patches are operable to generate detection signals that are transmitted to said external control unit when said acoustic pulse is detected by said external receiving patches, and wherein said external control unit is operable to assign a detection time value to each detection signal received from each respective external receiving patch.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said external control unit includes a universal interface port for transmitting data to a computing device.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising an implant location application operable to determine a three-dimensional location of said implant as a function of said first time value and said detection time values.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein a plurality of reading signals are generated to generate a plurality of result sets that are stored in a database.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each said result set includes said first time value, said detection time values, said angular rotation reading and said angular motion reading.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising an animation application configured to generate a spinal animation as a function of said plurality of result sets.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising a temperature sensor connected with said controller for generating a temperature reading of tissue surrounding said at least one implant.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising a rechargeable power unit connected with said controller, said gyroscope sensor, said accelerometer, and said acoustic generator.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an external power patch placed on said patient'"'"'s skin for recharging said rechargeable power unit.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said power patch is operable to generate electromagnetic energy that is used to charge said rechargeable power unit.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said power patch is operable to generate acoustic waves that is used to charge said rechargeable power unit.

20. A method, comprising:

generating a reading request with an external control unit that is wirelessly transmitted to at least one implant oriented in a predetermined location on a vertebra of a spine;

recording a first time value associated with said reading request;

generating an acoustic ping with said implant in response to said reading request;

obtaining an angular rotation reading and a angular movement reading in response to said reading request;

wirelessly transmitting said angular rotation reading and said angular movement reading to said external control unit;

monitoring at least three external receiving patches connected with said external control unit for detection of said acoustic ping;

recording a detection time value from each said external receiving patch when said acoustic ping is detected;

storing said first time value, said angular rotation reading, said angular movement reading, and said detection time values in a database associated with said external control unit;

calculating a location value for said at least one implant as a function of said first time value and said detection time values; and

generating a graphical animation of said implants on said vertebra of said spine as a function of said location value, said angular rotation reading, and said angular movement reading.