Patents Assigned to BrainLAB AG
  • Patent number: 8463005
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a stent within a body, comprising the steps of: providing a 3D dataset of voxels representing a 3D image containing the stent; determining a starting position for the determination of the stent position; determining the axis of symmetry of the stent in the 3D dataset; determining a second dataset representing at least one image containing the stent in its present position; and determining the positional offset of the stent by image fusion using the 3D dataset and the second dataset and by penalizing a rotation around the axis of symmetry as compared to the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Stephan Erbel, Verena Schultheis, Rainer Birkenbach
  • Patent number: 8463004
    Abstract: A method for determining a characteristic axis of a body structure includes generating at least two two-dimensional recordings of an area of the body structure; comparing each of the at least two recordings of the area with a generic model of the area in question, said generic model containing information on the position of the characteristic axis; ascertaining a mapping protocol for mapping the respective generic model onto the respective recording of the area; using the ascertained mapping protocol to map the respective position of the characteristic axis in the respective generic model to obtain the respective position of the characteristic axis in the two-dimensional mapping of the body structure; and using rear projection to determine a three-dimensional position of the characteristic axis from the at least two characteristic axes in the two-dimensional mappings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Gregor Tuma, Mario Schubert, Frank Gruenschlaeger, Martin Haimerl
  • Patent number: 8456649
    Abstract: A retro-reflector for image-guided operation systems, comprising eight cube corners, wherein the tips of the cube corners are adjacent to each other and each cube corner is formed from three reflective faces, comprising a protection against contamination which prevents dirt from being deposited in the cube corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Christian Maier
  • Publication number: 20130137973
    Abstract: A device for determining the aperture angle of a joint includes a detection device for detecting positions of joint components and/or positions of structures connected to or to be connected to the joint and a computational unit for ascertaining the aperture angle of the joint based on the detected positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: BRAINLAB AG
    Inventor: BRAINLAB AG
  • Patent number: 8446473
    Abstract: An image generating device for an optical, in particular medical tracking system, for determining the position of a recorded image point, includes a light scattering effect generating device, in particular a star and/or cross effect generating device. The invention further provides a tracking system including such an image generating device and to a method for determining the position of a recorded image point using an optical, in particular medical tracking system, in which: an image is generated using an image generating device; a light scattering effect, in particular a star and/or cross effect, is generated on the image for predetermined image points; and in which the position of an image point is ascertained on the basis of the light scattering pattern projected on the image, in particular on the basis of the star and/or cross effect lines and/or their intersection points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Günter Goldbach
  • Publication number: 20130085779
    Abstract: A data processing method for planning a medical treatment comprising following steps performed by a computer: acquiring reference patient data describing medical information on at least one reference patient including information on progression of the medical constitution of the at least one reference patient; acquiring current patient data describing medical information on a current patient; determining information on the progression of the medical constitution of the current patient based on the reference patient data and the current patient data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: BRAINLAB AG
    Inventor: BRAINLAB AG
  • Patent number: 8412308
    Abstract: A medical laser target marker includes a retro-reflector for receiving and reflecting light, at least one first medical tracking marker, and at least one second medical tracking marker. The at least one first medical tracking marker is arranged on the laser target marker and has a first functional configuration. The at least one second medical tracking marker is arranged on the laser target marker and has a second functional configuration different from the first functional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Günter Goldbach
  • Patent number: 8406850
    Abstract: A method for estimating the physiological parameters defining the edema induced upon infusion of fluid from an intraparenchymally placed catheter including; a) acquisition of patient-specific medical data; b) estimation of pertinent tissue microstructure based on the patient-specific medical data and/or generalized information derived or drawn from one or more of the following: experience, literature, modeling, studies, research, analysis; c) acquisition of information about delivery parameters, and/or delivery device geometry, and/or fluid properties; and d) computing a field of values of predicted extracellular volume fraction over the tissue region using the information obtained in (b) and (c). According to a further aspect, a method of infusing or planning and/or monitoring an infusion of a contrast agent such that the distribution of such agent can be detected and observing and/or measuring the backflow length along the catheter track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Raghu Raghavan, Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 8393588
    Abstract: An adaptor for fixing a medical apparatus to one or two support structures, wherein the adaptor is constructed in three parts from a bearing part and two support parts, wherein the bearing part can be connected to the medical apparatus, the first support part can be connected to a first support structure and the second support part can be connected to a second support structure, and the adaptor can assume at least three states, wherein: in the first state, the bearing part is connected free of clearance to the first support part only; in the second state, the bearing part is connected free of clearance to the second support part only; and in the third state, the bearing part is connected free of clearance to the first support part and the second support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Stefanie Blum, Steffi Blechinger, Holger Rossner, Richard Wohlgemuth
  • Patent number: 8391955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the position of an object moving within a body, wherein the body is connected to markers, a movement signal is determined based on the measured movement of the markers, images are taken from the object using a camera or detector, wherein the camera or detector is moved with respect to the object, it is determined from which direction or range of angles or segment the most images corresponding to a predefined cycle of the movement signal are taken, and using at least some or all of the images of the segment containing the most images for a specified movement cycle, an image of the object is reconstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Stephan Erbel, Kajetan Berlinger, Armin Fürst
  • Patent number: 8382759
    Abstract: A tracking device for an intramedullary pin whose spatial position is determined and/or tracked in image-guided surgery, including a reference device at a proximal end of the intramedullary pin and a medical navigation system which locates the reference device and determines the orientation of the intramedullary pin from the proximal end. A deformation detection device detects deformations of the intramedullary pin and communicates the deformations to the navigation system. Also provided is a tracking method for determining or tracking the spatial position of an intramedullary pin in image-guided surgery, and to an intramedullary pin that includes a deformation detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Gregor Tuma, Christian Wende
  • Patent number: 8386077
    Abstract: A method for assessing the positioning accuracy of a medical robot arm comprising at least one joint, wherein the rigidity of the robot arm in a joint placement is calculated and assessed on the basis of a rigidity model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Richard Wohlgemuth
  • Patent number: 8382766
    Abstract: The present application relates to a surgical connecting device for connecting a first and second cutting block which each serve to make an incision on a first and second anatomical structure, comprising: a first attaching section for attaching the surgical connecting device to the first cutting block by a mechanical connection; a second attaching section for attaching the surgical connecting device to the second cutting block by a releasable mechanical connection; and a spacing section which spaces the first attaching section away from the second attaching section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Blaine Warkentine, Norman Plaβky, Manuel Millahn
  • Patent number: 8328793
    Abstract: A device for coupling at least two medically applicable instruments, which are coupled to at least two control apparatuses, includes a central control unit coupled to input and/or output connections of said at least two control apparatuses. The central control unit includes at least one processor that receives output signals from the at least two control apparatuses and converts the output signals into a unified format. At least one processor receives inputted control signals, converts the control signals into formats corresponding to the respective at least two control apparatuses, and transfers the converted control signals to the at least two control apparatuses to control the at least two medically applicable instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Stefan Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 8317844
    Abstract: A device for fixing a reference element with respect to a field of surgery includes a first fixing portion operable to provide a mechanical resistance against pulling and/or pushing forces, a second fixing portion provided with a surface structure operable to secure the device against an angular force, and a coupling structure. The coupling structure is operative to mechanically couple the second fixing portion to the first fixing portion, wherein said second fixing portion can be pivoted with respect to the first fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Christian Maier, Georg Maier
  • Patent number: 8308663
    Abstract: A device for determining the aperture angle of a joint includes a detection device for detecting positions of joint components and/or positions of structures connected to or to be connected to the joint and a computational unit for ascertaining the aperture angle of the joint based on the detected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Gregor Tuma, Mario Schubert, Claus Shaffrath
  • Patent number: 8307591
    Abstract: The invention relates to an embedding unit for display devices to be embedded in a building, comprising at least one receptacle for a medical display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Steinle, Nils Frielinghaus, Christoffer Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8303596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for positioning a jig at a structure using at least one fixing element comprising at least one adjusting element which can directly interact with or guide the at least one fixing element and which can interact with the jig, so that the relative position between the at least one fixing element and the jig can be adjusted by changing the position of the at least one adjusting element, as well as to a method for positioning a jig at a structure comprising two rotatable adjusting elements, wherein the resection plane of the jig can be moved along or in a first direction when the adjusting elements are moved in the same direction and wherein the resection plane is turned if the adjusting elements are moved in an opposite or different direction or only one adjusting element is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Norman Plaβky, Manuel Millahn
  • Patent number: 8295909
    Abstract: A medical tracking and appliance control system includes a medical tracking system having a camera array and an infrared light source, and at least one medical appliance controllable via infrared signals or operative to exchange data via infrared signals. The infrared light source of the medical tracking system is operable to provide wireless control and/or data exchange with the medical appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Günter Goldbach
  • Patent number: 8277454
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system for navigation-assisted shoulder operations in which the humeral component is partially replaced with a prosthesis, comprising: a first tracking unit which is configured to be fastened to a section of a bone which is to be removed during the operation; a detection unit which is configured to detect landmarks on the bone; a second tracking unit which is configured to be attached to another section of the same bone; a camera unit which simultaneously detects the first and second tracking unit, in order to determine their respective location; and a computational unit which is connected to the camera unit and is configured to: determine a first relative location of the landmarks relative to the first tracking unit from data acquired by means of the detection unit; and calculate a second relative location of the landmarks relative to the second tracking unit on the basis of the first relative location; such that additional navigated treatment apparatuses can be exac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Timo Neubauer, Julia Fessler