US5617857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging system having interactive medical instruments and methods
Assignee: Image Guided Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1997-04-08
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an improved imaging system and method. The imaging system is of the type having a medical instrument including a source for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion. The imaging system further includes detector for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy. Such an imaging system is improved by providing a storage device on or in the medical instrument for storing initialization information, such as the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body. A transfer device is provided for transferring the initialization information from the storage device to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor. In this manner, the processor may then configure itself according to the attached instrument so that the system may track the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon detection of the emitted energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin D. Chader
- 👤 Ivan Faul
- 👤 Timothy L. Feaver
- 👤 Waldean A. Schulz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/06; A61B34/00; A61B34/20; A61B5/061; A61B5/064; A61B90/00; A61B90/10; A61B90/90; A61B90/98; A61B17/00; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00464; A61B2017/00477; A61B2017/00482; A61B2017/00681; A61B2017/00725; A61B2034/2046; A61B2034/2055; A61B2034/2072; A61B90/36; A61B2090/363; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937; A61B2090/3945; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An improved imaging system of the type having a medical instrument including means for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion, the imaging system further including means for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy, wherein the improvement comprises: means on or in the medical instrument for storing information relating to the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body; means for transferring the location information from the storing means to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor, wherein the processor may determine the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon receipt of the location information and upon detection of the emitted energy, wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the storing means and means for emitting detectable energy; and means for indicating the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment, the indicating means being formed upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body, and wherein the processor includes means for correlating the location of the work portion relative to the energy-emitting elements based on the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An improved imaging system of the type having a medical instrument including means for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion, the imaging system further including means for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy, wherein the improvement comprises: means on or in the medical instrument for storing information relating to the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body; means for transferring the location information from the storing means to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor, wherein the processor may determine the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon receipt of the location information and upon detection of the emitted energy, wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the storing means and means for emitting detectable energy; and means for indicating the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment, the indicating means being formed upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body, and wherein the processor includes means for correlating the location of the work portion relative to the energy-emitting elements based on the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the storing means comprises an electronic memory chip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the energy-emitting means comprises a plurality of energy-emitting elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the storing means is included within the instrument body and includes information relating to the location of the work portion relative to the energy-emitting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the medical instrument includes a removable attachment having the energy-emitting means and the storing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 5, wherein the storing means includes information indicating that the storing means is included in the attachment, wherein the processor may determine that the instrument body is being used with the attachment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the means for determining the type of instrument body comprises an electrical circuit that is formed upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body, whereby a characteristic of the circuit may be detected to indicate the type of instrument body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising means for attaching the attachment to only selected types of instrument bodies, and wherein the storing means includes information relating to the location of the energy-emitting elements relative to the selected type of instrument body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a reference frame in communication with the processor, the reference frame having at least three energy-emitting units and having means for storing information identifying the reference frame upon connection of the reference frame to the processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved method of the type wherein the location of an instrument body of a medical instrument is determined by detecting energy emitted from an energy-emitting source associated with the medical instrument and processing in a processor the detected information, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting the medical instrument to the processor; transferring stored electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to the medical instrument; determining with the processor the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the detected information and the stored information; wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the energy-emitting source and the stored electronic information, and further comprising removably attaching the attachment to the instrument body; and further comprising detecting the type of instrument body upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body and determining the location of a work portion of the instrument body relative to the energy-emitting source based on the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved method of the type wherein the location of an instrument body of a medical instrument is determined by detecting energy emitted from an energy-emitting source associated with the medical instrument and processing in a processor the detected information, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting the medical instrument to the processor; transferring stored electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to the medical instrument; determining with the processor the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the detected information and the stored information; wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the energy-emitting source and the stored electronic information, and further comprising removably attaching the attachment to the instrument body; and further comprising detecting the type of instrument body upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body and determining the location of a work portion of the instrument body relative to the energy-emitting source based on the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the energy-emitting source is included within the instrument body, and wherein the transferring step further includes transferring electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to a work portion of the instrument body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the transferring step further comprises transferring from the attachment to the processor electronic information indicating that the attachment is connected to the instrument body, and further comprising manually entering into the processor information identifying the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising selectively preventing connection of the attachment to the instrument body based on the stored information in the attachment and the type of instrument body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the transferring step further comprises transferring to the processor electronic information regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to a work portion on the instrument body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the detecting step comprises forming an electrical circuit upon connection of the attachment to the instrument body and measuring a characteristic of the circuit when current is passed therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising placing a reference frame in communication with the processor, the reference frame having at least three energy-emitting units, and further comprising transferring to the processor electronic information identifying the reference frame upon connection of the reference frame to the processor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved imaging system of the type having a medical instrument including means for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion, the imaging system further including means for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy, wherein the improvement comprises: means on or in the medical instrument for storing information relating to the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body; and means for transferring the location information from the storing means to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor, wherein the processor may determine the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon receipt of the location information and upon detection of the emitted energy; wherein the medical instrument includes a removable attachment having the energy-emitting means and the storing means, wherein the storing means includes information indicating that the storing means is included in the attachment, and wherein the processor may determine that the instrument body is being used with the attachment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved imaging system of the type having a medical instrument including means for emitting detectable energy and an instrument body having a work portion, the imaging system further including means for detecting the energy and a processor for determining the location of the medical instrument based on the detected energy, wherein the improvement comprises: means on or in the medical instrument for storing information relating to the location of the energy-emitting means relative to the instrument body; and means for transferring the location information from the storing means to the processor upon connection of the medical instrument to the processor, wherein the processor may determine the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space upon receipt of the location information and upon detection of the emitted energy; wherein the medical instrument includes a removable attachment having the energy-emitting means and the storing means, wherein the storing means includes information indicating that the storing means is included in the attachment, and wherein the processor may determine that the instrument body is being used with the attachment.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved method of the type wherein the location of an instrument body of a medical instrument is determined by detecting energy emitted from an energy-emitting source associated with the medical instrument and processing in a processor the detected information, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting the medical instrument to the processor; transferring stored electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to the medical instrument; and determining with the processor the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the detected information and the stored information; wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the energy-emitting source and the stored electronic information, and further comprising removably attaching the attachment to the instrument body; and wherein the transferring step further comprises transferring from the attachment to the processor electronic information indicating that the attachment is connected to the instrument body, and further comprising manually entering into the processor information identifying the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
176 words
An improved method of the type wherein the location of an instrument body of a medical instrument is determined by detecting energy emitted from an energy-emitting source associated with the medical instrument and processing in a processor the detected information, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting the medical instrument to the processor; transferring stored electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to the medical instrument; and determining with the processor the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the detected information and the stored information; wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the energy-emitting source and the stored electronic information, and further comprising removably attaching the attachment to the instrument body; and wherein the transferring step further comprises transferring from the attachment to the processor electronic information indicating that the attachment is connected to the instrument body, and further comprising manually entering into the processor information identifying the type of instrument body that is connected to the attachment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
156 words
An improved method of the type wherein the location of an instrument body of a medical instrument is determined by detecting energy emitted from an energy-emitting source associated with the medical instrument and processing in a processor the detected information, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting the medical instrument to the processor; transferring stored electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to the medical instrument; and determining with the processor the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the detected information and the stored information; wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the energy-emitting source and the stored electronic information, and further comprising removably attaching the attachment to the instrument body; and further comprising selectively preventing connection of the attachment to the instrument body based on the stored information in the attachment and the type of instrument body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
156 words
An improved method of the type wherein the location of an instrument body of a medical instrument is determined by detecting energy emitted from an energy-emitting source associated with the medical instrument and processing in a processor the detected information, wherein the improvement comprises: connecting the medical instrument to the processor; transferring stored electronic information from the medical instrument to the processor regarding the location of the energy-emitting source relative to the medical instrument; and determining with the processor the location of the instrument body in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the detected information and the stored information; wherein the medical instrument further includes an attachment having the energy-emitting source and the stored electronic information, and further comprising removably attaching the attachment to the instrument body; and further comprising selectively preventing connection of the attachment to the instrument body based on the stored information in the attachment and the type of instrument body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-07 | 2000-10-07 | 2001-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | 2005-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-07 | 2008-10-07 | 2009-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |