Medical instrument with a touch-sensitive tip

US7744605B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Brainlab AG · DE

Inventors

• Stefan Vilsmeier · Munich, DE
• Michael Bertram · Borgo San Lazzaro, DE
• Rainer Birkenbach · Erding, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 29, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2010
• Expiry date: May 22, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/3958
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical instrument comprising an instrument body (8), an instrument tip (5) and a tracking means (1,2, 4), characterized in that said instrument tip (5) is fitted with a touch-sensor (3) which detects a contact between said tip (5) and an object, for example a patient. It is preferably realized as an indicator device or pointer, in particular as a registering pointer for instrument tracking systems.