Patent · US Active

Non-fouling surfaces for reflective spheres

US8364243B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
12References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 2009
Grant dateJan 29, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/31663
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention relates to non-fouling hydrophobic reflective surfaces for a variety of applications which in one embodiment related to medical device applications comprises a method of performing a medical procedure using a surgical navigation system which includes the steps of placing one or more reflective spheres on a surgical instrument or apparatus, the reflective spheres comprising a hydrophobic coating on a sub-micron structured surface of the spheres, wherein the spheres substantially maintain their reflective properties after the spheres are contacted with a biological fluid; shining light on the reflective spheres; capturing reflected light from the spheres with a camera or other device; and registering and/or tracking a location and/or position of the spheres.

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