Medical instrument and method for use with computer-assisted image guided surgery
US6434507B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3983
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for use with a surgical navigation system. The apparatus comprises a tool body and tool attachment onto which emitters are fixedly mounted. At least one tool tip is removably coupled with the tool body. An electrical sensor is positioned to be operated when the tool tip is changed either by coupling the tip to or removing the tip from the tool body. A controller responsive to the operation of switch detects when the tip has been changed. An alarm responsive to the controller indicates that the tool tip has been removed or changed so that the tip can be recalibrated relative to a known position in the surgical navigation system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.