System and method for identifying a landmark

• US 9,192,399 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2014
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Ritchey, Nicholas S., Wilhelm, Hoa La, Grusin, Nathaniel Kelley
• Primary Examiner(s): SEVILLA, CHRISTIAN ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US14/580,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20150141811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 336 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1703 using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1707 using electromagnetic effects, e.g. with magnet and external sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1725 for applying transverse screws or pins through intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7233 with special means of locking the nail to the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/256 having a database of accessory information, e.g. including context sensitive help or scientific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/363 Use of fiducial points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3958 emitting a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/397 electromagnetic other than visible, e.g. microwave
• 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 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/081 Gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformers; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 : Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

A field generator for use in a surgical targeting system is disclosed. The field generator includes a mounting structure including elements that are configured to receive components of an electromagnetic field generator. The elements are disposed on the mounting structure at locations and orientations relative to each other. The field generator includes at least one covering formed over the mounting structure, wherein, in use, the locations and orientations of the elements relative to each other remain substantially unaltered after exposure to one or more sterilization processes.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

exposing a landmark identifier to a sterilization process, the landmark identifier comprising a mounting structure comprising a plurality of elements that are configured to receive induction coils of an electromagnetic field generator, the plurality of elements disposed on the mounting structure at locations and orientations relative to each other, wherein exposing the landmark identifier does not substantially alter the locations and orientations of the plurality of elements relative to each other.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the landmark identifier to target a landmark of an orthopaedic implant.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein targeting comprises placing the field generator within an operating range of a sensor and using a display of a targeting system for positioning the landmark identifier in a predetermined position relative to the landmark.

4. A method of making a landmark identifier, the method comprising:

forming elements at locations in a mounting structure, the mounting structure comprising a first dimension stable autoclavable material;

securing electromagnetic induction coils at orientations in the elements;

forming a hole through the mounting structure;

securing a coupling member to the mounting structure, the coupling member having a through hole that is aligned with the hole formed through the mounting structure when the coupling member is secured to the mounting structure, the coupling member comprising a second dimension stable autoclavable material;

covering the mounting structure and the electromagnetic induction coils with a third autoclavable material; and

optionally applying a fourth autoclavable material over an exterior surface of the third autoclavable material.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising removably coupling at least one of a sleeve and sleeve attachment to the coupling member.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising forming one or more apertures in the mounting structure and disposing at least one of a hollow material and a foam material in the one or more apertures.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising forming a gripping surface on an external surface of the landmark identifier, the gripping surface comprising at least one of a surface texture and a surface depression.