System and method for identifying a landmark

US8739801B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. · US

Inventors

• James K. Rains · Cordova, US
• Nicholas S. Ritchey · Collierville, US
• Gene Edward Austin · Bartlett, US
• Henry B. Faber · Memphis, US
• Nathaniel Kelley Grusin · Germantown, US
• Tobias Schwägli · Solothurn, CH
• William M. Ricci · Richmond Heights, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 3, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 4, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/397
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system (10, 110) for identifying a landmark is disclosed. The system includes a field generator (16, 116) for generating a magnetic field, an orthopaedic implant (30, 130) located within the magnetic field, the implant having at least one landmark (31) and a first magnetic sensor (32) spaced apart from the landmark, a landmark identifier (18, 118) with a second magnetic sensor (20, 120) and a processor (12, 112) for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark. The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks.