Contour mapping system and method particularly useful as a spine analyzer and probe therefor
US6524260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/103
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A contour mapping system useful as a spine analyzer includes a probe for application to a user's hand with the outer tip of at least one finger of the hand movable along the outer surface of the person's spine or other object whose contour is to be mapped. A position sensor carried by the probe is movable with the user's finger as the finger moves along the outer surface of the object. The system tracks and displays the movements of the position sensor as the probe is moved with the user's hand along the outer surface of the object. An ultrasonic transducer may be combined with the position sensor on the same probe and used to examine particular vertebrae, such as apex vertebrae, for rotation and/or deformation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.