Patents Assigned to BrainLAB AG
  • Patent number: 7972305
    Abstract: A drug supply system for CED (convection-enhanced delivery) catheter infusions is provided, the system including a drug conducting system having a drug depot and a catheter supply line and a conveying device that provides for conveying the drug from the drug depot into the catheter supply line. The drug conducting system is a system that is closed to the outside in a fluidic seal The drug supply system further includes a conveying fluid conveying system arranged between the conveying device and the drug supply system and is connected to the conveying device and to the drug depot, via a drug displacement element, without fluid-drug contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Stephan Mittermeyer
  • Patent number: 7970190
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of a frontal pelvic plane of a pelvic bone includes ascertaining a position of a pubic point of the pelvic bone; generating at least one x-ray recording of the pelvic bone; ascertaining a straight line in the at least one x-ray recording that passes through the pubic point and a contour of the pelvic bone; and ascertaining the location of the frontal pelvic plane from a rear-projection of the straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Steinle, Rainer Lachner, Stefan Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 7970174
    Abstract: A method for tracking at least one medical marker is provided, wherein actual properties of the at least one marker are compared with nominal properties of the at least one marker. A basis for subsequent use of information obtained from the at least one marker is formed based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Günter Goldbach
  • Patent number: 7962196
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of an object relative to a body structure includes: providing a location of a first part of the object relative to a second part of the object, said second part different from said first part; attaching a marker device to the body structure; detecting a location of the marker device relative to the body structure; positioning the object relative to the body structure; detecting a location of the first part of the object relative to the marker device; and calculating a relative location of the second part of the object relative to the location of the body structure based on the location of the first part relative to the second part, the location of the marker device relative to the body structure, and the location of the first part relative to the marker array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Gregor Tuma
  • Patent number: 7925324
    Abstract: A method for defining an antetorsion angle ? of a femur is provided. The antetorsion angle ? is defined by two angles ?? and ? that can be determined by means of two images of the femur, wherein the equation tan ?=tan ??/(cos ?·cos ?) can be used to calculate the antetorsion angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventor: Christian Maier
  • Patent number: 7922391
    Abstract: A device and method are provided that enable calibration information to be determined for an x-ray apparatus that performs a three-dimensional x-ray scan. The calibration information is determined using an adapting method, wherein the adapting method is based on a position of an x-ray source relative to an x-ray unit marker device during image acquisition, an x-ray unit data set that describes the position of the x-ray unit marker device during image acquisition, and a two-dimensional calibration data set that describes at least one and preferably two actual two-dimensional x-ray images produced by irradiating a calibration object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Robert Essenreiter, Michael Bertram, Martin Ringholz
  • Patent number: 7892224
    Abstract: A method for determining and representing possible entry and/or target areas for positioning catheters in an area on the basis of functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area, includes: indicating at least one entry area of the catheter or at least one target area of the catheter; determining at least one target area of the catheter based on the at least one indicated entry area of the catheter and taking into consideration specified catheter positioning guidelines and the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area, or at least one entry area of the catheter based on the at least one indicated target area of the catheter and taking into consideration specified catheter positioning guidelines and the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data of the area; and representing the functional data and/or structural and/or anatomical data with the at least one indicated entry area and the at least one determined target area, or representing the functiona
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hartlep, Christoph Pedain
  • Patent number: 7883492
    Abstract: A catheter for administering a substance into body tissues includes an elongated catheter body that has at least one portion of the length of the catheter body that expands after the catheter is inserted in the patient's body. The portion that expands provides a seal against backflow of the substance along the outer surface of the catheter body and away from the intended treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Stephan Mittermeyer, Andreas Hartlep
  • Patent number: 7883545
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a dimensional change in a first object, wherein in an initial state said first object is connected to a second object via a joint, and wherein a first reference system is rigidly connected to the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventor: Gregor Tuma
  • Patent number: 7874686
    Abstract: A reflective marker and method for manufacturing reflective marker, wherein the reflective marker includes an inner body and a reflective covering, and a reflective substance is applied to the inner body and forms the reflective covering together with pellets contained in the substance or applied after the substance has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Holger-Claus Rossner, Thomas Pittroff
  • Patent number: 7873403
    Abstract: A method for determining a three-dimensional form of a body from two-dimensional projection images includes producing at least one projection image of the body and producing corresponding model projection images from a generic model of the body. The body projection images and the model can be input into a computer-assisted processing unit and the generic model can be adjusted to the body by comparing image contents of the body projection images with the model projections images at a two-dimensional level only. The three-dimensional form of the body can be determined from the adjusted generic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Rainer Lachner, Thomas Feilkas, Falko Seifferth, Stefan Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 7863566
    Abstract: A medical x-ray detection device includes an x-ray detector operable to detect the presence of x-ray radiation in a medical environment, and a signal emitter operatively coupled to said x-ray detector. The signal emitter includes at least one active light-emitting signal device, wherein the signal emitter is operative to emit a signal corresponding to the presence of x-ray radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Aleksander Bogojevic, Manfred Weiser
  • Patent number: 7862568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixing device comprising at least one guide for a securing element, a fixing system comprising such a fixing device and at least one securing element, as well as a positioning system comprising such a fixing system, and a positioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Stefan Vilsmeier, Rainer Birkenbach, Eric Merlin
  • Patent number: 7848543
    Abstract: A method and system for mapping anatomical connection and signaling across a multiplicity of channels, channel contents, and channel speed. In particular, the anatomical connection and signaling is mapped in relation to the human brain. Constructs a three-dimensional, dynamically structured, active model, for general or individual patterns. Uses for the present invention include: risk reduction in surgery to significant channels; planning cell insertion at sites where they can be expected to migrate to a less reachable target site; guiding searches for metastatic tumors; indirectly localizing brain structures; constructing models of disease in which multiple sites are involved in the deficit and any proposed repair; and building simulation of normal processes which require the sequential interaction of multiple sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Raghu Raghavan, Timothy Poston
  • Patent number: 7820446
    Abstract: A transparent marker casing for use with a tracking system, comprising a material that is transparent to radiation emanating from at least one marker, wherein the marker casing is formed such that it at least partially surrounds the at least one marker. The casing can include a moisture sensor that can detect moisture or liquid on a surface of the casing and provide a signal indicative of the presence of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Thomas Feilkas, Hansjörg Huber
  • Patent number: 7822588
    Abstract: A method for selecting a femoral implant based on models of a femoral neck and/or a femoral head of a patient is provided. A femoral neck model and/or femoral head model is produced from three-dimensional reference point spatial positions of the femoral neck or head, and a base size of a femoral implant model is ascertained based on the femoral head model. A femoral implant model is produced from the base size, and the implant model is positioned at a position in or on the femoral head model. An implant value is ascertained that indicates how many or what proportion of the ascertained reference point spatial positions are outside the implant model. If the implant value exceeds a predetermined value, the implant model is repositioned and the process is repeated. If the implant value does not exceed the value, an appropriate size and position of the implant is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Heiko Mueller, Robert Dick, Martin Adamski, Gregor Tuma
  • Patent number: 7822244
    Abstract: A method for segmenting a body structure image data set produced from a medical imaging method includes: using a reference data set to define delineated body structures in the body structure image data set; and ascertaining an overall mapping function that substantially maps a reference data set onto the body structure image data set, wherein the overall mapping function comprises a portion that includes a dissection of the body structure image data set into structural parts and their individual rearrangement, and a portion which includes a global deformation and/or shift of the body structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventor: Andreas Blumhofer
  • Patent number: 7818838
    Abstract: The invention concerns a patient positioning system for radiotherapy, comprising a device for positioning a patient within the framework of treatment planning, using image detection and/or carrying out radiation treatment, comprising a patient bed (3, 42, 50) on which a patient is positioned, wherein means are provided by which the same bed (3, 42, 50) may be arranged both on a planning couch (8) for image detection within the framework of treatment planning as well as on a radiotherapy table (1, 44), and by providing a reference means (54) on the patient bed by which the position of the immobilised patient or of a marked radiation target is determined with respect to the patient bed (3, 42, 50). Within this framework, a corresponding method is also provided, as well as an adjusting means for the transport and the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Stephan Erbel, Stephan Fröhlich
  • Patent number: 7809184
    Abstract: A device and method for automatically verifying, calibrating and surveying a navigable surgical instrument, wherein by means of a scanning device, the geometry of the instrument, in particular the shape of the functional elements (e.g., tips) and their spatial position with respect to an attachable reference system, are detected. By means of a data processing unit, a three-dimensional model of the instrument is calculated from the detected information concerning the geometry of the instrument including the reference system, wherein verification, calibration or surveying is performed with the aid of the ascertained information concerning the geometry of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Timo Neubauer, Norman Plassky
  • Patent number: 7787932
    Abstract: A method for computer-assisted medical navigation and/or pre-operative treatment planning includes detecting the current position of a patient or a part of a patient's body and the positions of medical treatment devices or treatment-assisting devices. The detected positional data can be assigned to body structure data, in order to jointly use the body structure data in assignment with the positional data, within the context of assisting the treatment. The body structure data can be used which is obtained based on a three-dimensional generic model, where the model is adapted by two-dimensional data linking with patient-characteristic, two-dimensional detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Stefan Vilsmeier, Mario Zeiss, Claus Schaffrath, Thomas Feilkas