Patent · US Expired

Surgical guidance method and system for approaching a target within a body

US5711299A · kind A · utility

376Cited by
2References
25Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 1996
Grant dateJan 27, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 26, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2034/2048
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical guidance system includes a magnetic field generator carried by a support frame, a guidance system controller, at least one magnetic field sensor located at a surgical instrument, and a feedback display device. The guidance system indicates the position of the surgical instrument relative to a trajectory as the surgical instrument approaches a surgical target within a body. The magnetic field generator establishes a magnetic field having geometric characteristics that indicate the trajectory from an initial point to the target. The sensors detect the distinguishable orientation of the magnetic field along the trajectory, and the feedback display device indicates whether the surgical instrument is aligned or misaligned with the trajectory. The magnetic field generator is adjustable upon the support frame such that the approach angle and position of the trajectory may be selected.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.