Patents by Inventor Mark Peter Heilbrun

Mark Peter Heilbrun has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for photogrammetric surgical localization
    Patent number: 6491702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sofamor Danek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peter Heilbrun, Paul McDonald, J. Clayton Wiker, Spencer Koehler, William Peters
  • Apparatus and method for photogrammetric surgical localization
    Patent number: 6165181
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sofamor Danek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peter Heilbrun, Paul McDonald, J. Clayton Wiker, Spencer Koehler, William Peters
  • Apparatus and method for photogrammetric surgical localization
    Patent number: 6146390
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sofamor Danek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Peter Heilbrun, Paul McDonald, J. Clayton Wiker, Spencer Koehler, William Peters
  • Apparatus and method for photogrammetric surgical localization
    Patent number: 5836954
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for defining the location of a medical instrument relative to features of a medical workspace including a patient's body region are described. Pairs of two-dimensional images are obtained, preferably by means of two video cameras making images of the workspace along different sightlines which intersect. A fiducial structure is positioned in the workspace for defining a three dimensional coordinate framework, and a calibration image pair is made. The calibration image pair comprises two 2D projections from different locations of the fiducial structure. After the calibration image pair is made, the fiducial structure is removed. A standard projection algorithm is used to reconstruct the 3D framework of the fiducial structure from the calibration image pair. Appropriate image pairs can then be used to locate and track any other feature such as a medical instrument, in the workspace, so long as the cameras remain fixed in their positions relative to the workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark Peter Heilbrun, Paul McDonald, J. Clayton Wiker, Spencer Koehler, William Peters