Inductively coupled RF tracking system for use in invasive imaging of a living body
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Aug 1, 1995
Issued Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Feb 14, 1994
filing date -
Nov 18, 1991
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
RF tracking system employs a RF invasive device coupled to surgical tracking equipment for tracking the invasive device. An inductive coupling permits the device to be quickly coupled to, and decoupled from, the equipment. The coupling comprises an inducting coil which transmits a signal from the surgical tracking equipment to a communicating coil in the invasive device. The signal received by the communicating coil passes along leads to a tracked coil in a distal end of the invasive device. The tracked coil transmits the signal as RF energy which is received by the surgical tracking equipment which superimposes the position of the distal end of the invasive device on an X-ray image and displays it on a monitor A sterile shield is employed as a sterile barrier between the inducting coil and the equipment end of the invasive device to prevent contamination of the invasive device by the inducting coil. The cross-section of the invasive device at its equipment end can be made identical to the rest of the invasive device to permit other invasive devices to pass completely over the invasive device.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available