Patent · US Expired

Free-hand aiming of a needle guide

US6216029A · kind A · utility

587Cited by
24References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 2, 1998
Grant dateApr 10, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 2, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2090/378
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for free-hand directing of a needle towards a target located in a body volume. The method includes the steps of producing an image of the target and the body volume, transmitting the image by means of an imaging detector to a display screen which communicates with a position sensing controller, sensing spatial orientation data of the imaging detector with respect to a reference, transmitting the spatial orientation data onto the display screen, placing the needle with a point thereof substantially pointing at the target sensing spatial orientation data of the needle with respect to the reference, transmitting the spatial orientation data of the needle to the position sensing controller, causing the position sensing controller, based on the spatial orientation data of the imaging detector and of the needle, to indicate on the display screen a trajectory of the needle point, and inserting the needle into the body volume towards the target in accordance with the trajectory indicated on the display screen.

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