Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imagable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a fiducial marker kit. In one example, the kit includes a fiducial marker assembly that includes a bone screw base for receiving an imageable marker or locatable divot. A valved protective sleeve prevents debris from accumulating in a receptacle portion of the base, which may otherwise degrade the accuracy of patient registration in an image-guided surgical procedure. In one example, the valve automatically opens or closes upon insertion or removal of a screwdriver or other tool, or a shaft portion of the imageable marker or locatable divot. Various bone screw base and receptacle combinations are also discussed.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imageable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imageable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imageable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imageable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imagable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a stereotactic apparatus that includes reticles or other imagable locators for confirming placement of an instrument introduced along a desired trajectory. In certain examples, the reticles are re-positionable with respect to the trajectory to permit placement confirmation along different views. In other examples, the reticles are positionable toward or away from a skull.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting information on advertisers, products, and/or services of interest to a consumer. The present invention provides a bridge between the physical world and the virtual world that is beneficial to both consumers and advertisers. When a consumer participating in a consumer loyalty system is exposed to an advertisement of interest containing an alphanumeric identifier of the present invention, the consumer may send an initiation message to the alphanumeric identifier and thereafter the consumer's profile within the consumer loyalty system is mapped or linked to the profile of the participating advertiser. Such alphanumeric identifiers may be incorporated into all forms of known advertising media. The present invention provides a method and system for a consumer to easily bookmark a specific advertiser, product, and/or service for later review without having to write down or memorize a URL address or any other contact information.

Abstract: A system and method for the selection and delivery of at least one targeted advertisement over a network, wherein the targeted advertisement conforms to the preferences and criteria specified by each respective user and each respective advertiser. The targeted advertisement selections may be prioritized via correlation of a wide variety of user information and advertiser information. Such a system and method provide for delivery of highly targeted advertisements that ensures a retailer that advertisement marketing is reaching their desired demographic audience and, likewise, exposes each respective end user to highly relevant product and service advertisements. The present invention further increases network efficiency by performing advertisement selection and formatting only once at user login to eliminate continual fetching and formatting of new advertisements during the session. The system or method may employ a map of advertisements that is generated for the user a single time at login.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a shunt passer or like surgical instrument configured for receiving different-sized positioning locators of an image guided surgical system. In one example, the surgical instrument includes portions having different diameters for receiving the different-sized affixation mechanisms for the positioning locators.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a system for storing and communicating information between a consumer and proprietor, enabling the proprietor to build a database of consumer information and enabling the consumer to build a database of information from businesses participating in the system of the present invention. The invention enables the proprietor to analyze consumer habits and communicate incentives and rewards to specific consumers. Consumers utilize a handheld personal information device to store a unique personal identifier. The personal information device transmits the unique personal identifier to, and may receive information from, an information exchange unit upon entry of the consumer into a participating place of business. Consumer personal information and transaction data are recorded and stored in a secure central database.

Abstract: An interface with a point of sale (POS) system at a place of business, and more specifically, an interface that is external to the POS software and capable of interfacing disparate POS systems. A point of sale specific interface (POSSI), which functions to bidirectionally translate POS system specific data that is communicated from the existing POS system database into generic transaction/update upload bundles that are communicated to the business server software (BSS). Having bidirectional translating capability, the POSSI may provide communications between a central subsystem database of a consumer loyalty system, accessible via the BSS and an internet connection, and disparate pre-existing POS systems at various places of business. Acting as a go-between, the POSSI communicates with the BSS by means of a generic interface, while the POSSI communicates with disparate POS systems by means of a system specific interface.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for storing and communicating information between a customer and proprietor, enabling the proprietor to build a database of customer information and enabling the customer to build a database of information from businesses participating in the system of the invention. Customers provide information only to those proprietors they choose and automatically receive business contact information and other important information (including but not limited to store hours, special deals). Examples of the customer information to be stored by the business are contact information such as address and telephone information, shopping habits, amounts purchased, photographs, demographic data, date of initiation into the customer loyalty program, and the like. The invention enables the proprietor to analyze customer habits and communicate special offers or customer rewards to specific classes of customers.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imagable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a stereotactic apparatus that includes reticles or other imagable locators for confirming placement of an instrument introduced along a desired trajectory. In certain examples, the reticles are re-positionable with respect to the trajectory to permit placement confirmation along different views. In other examples, the reticles are positionable toward or away from a skull.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma.