Patents Assigned to BrainLAB AG
  • Non-invasive system for fixing navigational reference
    Patent number: 7776000
    Abstract: A fixing system and method for fixing a navigational reference array for image-assisted medical treatment with respect to a patient, wherein the reference array is arranged the patient's body with the assistance of an immobilizing device, and wherein the immobilizing device is a vacuum mattress or a vacuum mattress patient jacket, and at least one anchoring for the reference array is provided on or in the vacuum mattress or a vacuum mattress patient jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Claus Schaffrath, Gerhard Kleinszig, Christoph Schenkel
  • Adjustable treatment aid for treating bones
    Patent number: 7776048
    Abstract: An adjustable treatment aid for guiding, holding, attaching and/or positioning a tool for treating a bone includes a first frame having a bone position fixing device to attach the first frame to the bone, and a second frame for guiding, holding, attaching and/or positioning the tool. At least one adjusting device allows the first frame to be spatially adjusted relative to the second frame along at least one degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Timo Neubauer, Norman Plassky, Anusch Saffari
  • Method and device for determining the location of electrical activity of nerve cells
    Patent number: 7769438
    Abstract: A method and device for determining the location of electrical activity or hyperactivity of nerve cells in an anatomical structure of a body, wherein an electrical conductivity model of the anatomical structure is generated and electrical impulses are detected by at least one electrode. Using the model and the detected electrical impulses, the location or locations of the electrical activity in the anatomical structure are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hartlep, Christoph Pedain
  • Device and method for calibrating an element and device and system for positioning an element
    Patent number: 7763030
    Abstract: A system for positioning an implant includes a holding element for holding an implant. The holding element can include a first end having a grip and a second end having a connecting element for establishing a connection to the implant. The system includes a guiding sleeve for guiding the holding element. The guiding sleeve defines a guiding area for guiding the holding element, where the holding element can be introduced into the guiding sleeve and a method for calibrating an element includes connecting the element to at least one navigation element and placing the element in contact with a calibrating device. The element is moved while the element remains in contact with the calibrating device. A device for calibrating an element includes a planar member connected to at least one navigation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Arno Blau, Falko Seifferth, Mario Zeiss
  • Video tracking and registering
    Patent number: 7760909
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for spatially locating and tracking an object, such as medical instruments, a patient and/or part of a patient's body using a camera array having at least two cameras, and for mutually assigning the spatial position of the object and an acquired, stored data set. Trackable markings are recorded via the camera array, the markings are extracted from the recordings, and a location of the markings is monitored, wherein the spatial position of the object is based on the location of the markings. Further, video recordings of a surface of the object are produced via the camera array and, with computer assistance, surface portions of the object are identified and correlated with corresponding surface portions in the stored data set, wherein the spatial position of the object is assigned to that of the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventor: Johannes Manus
  • Determining speed-of-sound factors in ultrasound images of a body
    Patent number: 7753848
    Abstract: A method for determining speed-of-sound factors in ultrasound images of a body, includes: capturing at least two ultrasound images of an internal body region from different directions; registering the at least two ultrasound images with respect to a corresponding region in a body reference model; comparing two-dimensional registrations of each of the at least two ultrasound images with a registration of at least one other ultrasound image captured from a different direction, or with another reference registration; and determining the speed-of-sound factor for each individual ultrasound direction from the comparison of reference model point distances for a particular registered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventor: Martin Haimerl
  • Medical instrument with a touch-sensitive tip
    Patent number: 7744605
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument comprising an instrument body (8), an instrument tip (5) and a tracking means (1,2, 4), characterized in that said instrument tip (5) is fitted with a touch-sensor (3) which detects a contact between said tip (5) and an object, for example a patient. It is preferably realized as an indicator device or pointer, in particular as a registering pointer for instrument tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Stefan Vilsmeier, Michael Bertram, Rainer Birkenbach
  • Method and apparatus for automated optimization of treatment plans
    Patent number: 7740606
    Abstract: A method of adjusting infusion parameters that provide coverage of a selected target volume for direct infusions of a fluid includes using an algorithm for calculation of optimal packing of spheres or cylinders in a selected volume to determine the coverage of the selected target volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hartlep, Maria Inmaculada Rodriguez Ponce
  • Planning method and system for free-form implant modification
    Patent number: 7742801
    Abstract: A method for planning a bone implant ascertains a condition of a bone to be treated, and identifies a dysfunctional part of the bone. A free-form area then can be ascertained and registered, wherein the free-form area lies below the dysfunctional part. A control data set then is produced that forms the basis for ablating the bone on the ascertained free-form area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Timo Neubauer, Manuel Millahn
  • Method and apparatus for determining a backflow of a substance
    Patent number: 7742630
    Abstract: A method for determining a backflow of a substance along a track of a delivery device includes: a) obtaining parameters that influence the flow of the fluid or substance; b) acquiring information about delivery data; and c) computing the backflow along the delivery device using the information in steps a) and b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hartlep, Christoph Pedain, Martin Brady, Raghu Raghavan
  • Method and device for preparing a drainage
    Patent number: 7734326
    Abstract: A method for positioning at least one catheter on a body in which a fluid is present includes performing a body-specific detection of anatomical structure and/or tissue structure. A position of the fluid in the body and/or the amount of fluid in the body are detected and at least one catheter is positioned such that at least a part of the fluid can be drained from the body. A method for simulating drainage of a fluid from an interstice of a body includes performing a body-specific detection of anatomical structure and/or tissue structure. A position of the fluid in the body and/or the amount of fluid in the body are detected and a location of at least one catheter on the body is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Christoph Pedain, Andreas Hartlep
  • Medical instrument identification
    Patent number: 7726564
    Abstract: A medical instrument identification system for identifying a medical instrument from a plurality of medical instruments includes at least one optical sensor for detecting features of the at least one medical instrument, and a data processing device operatively coupled to the at least one optical sensor. The data processing device is operative to use videometric pattern recognition to identify the at least one medical instrument based on the detected features, wherein the optical sensor and the data processing device are assigned to a medical instrument tracking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventor: Günter Goldbach
  • Multi-band tracking and calibration system
    Patent number: 7728280
    Abstract: A camera system includes at least two camera units, wherein each camera unit comprises at least one detection element for detecting an optical signal. At least one of the at least two camera units includes at least one element operative to enable detection of light in at least two different spectral ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Thomas Feilkas, Manfred Weiser
  • Determining distribution for planning an infusion
    Patent number: 7715902
    Abstract: A method for identifying advantageous and non-advantageous infusion regions in the tissue includes capturing at least one of (i) functional anatomical data and (ii) structural anatomical data. The captured anatomical data is evaluated with computer assistance. Based on the evaluating step, the method includes determining infusion distribution information, such as directional and velocity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hartlep, Christoph Pedain, Raghu Raghavan, Martin Brady
  • Method and device for stimulating the brain
    Patent number: 7711431
    Abstract: A method for stimulating a particular area of a brain using a stimulation device includes detecting a spatial structure of a head and determining electrical and/or magnetic properties of at least one part of anatomical structures of the head. An energy amount to be provided by the stimulation device for stimulating the particular area of the brain is calculated automatically based on the spatial structure of the head and the determined electrical and/or magnetic properties of at least one part of the anatomical structures of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Philip Tanner, Thomas Bauch
  • Self adjusting operation lamp system
    Patent number: 7706683
    Abstract: A combined operation lamp image detecting system includes an operation lamp attached to a movable mount, and at least one camera arranged in a fixed, known and/or detectable positional relationship relative to the operation lamp. The moveable mount includes actuators that are controlled on the basis of image signals detected by the camera so as to maintain shadow free illumination of a workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Holger-Claus Rossner, Günter Goldbach
  • Method and device for detecting and localising an impingement of joint components
    Patent number: 7699793
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting an impingement of joint components of a joint includes detecting a spatial position of each joint component during a relative movement of the joint components; calculating an instantaneous center point of rotation or an instantaneous axis of rotation from the detected spatial positions of the joint components; when one joint component moves relative to the other joint component, establishing whether the calculated instantaneous center point of rotation moves within a first expectation range or whether the calculated instantaneous axis of rotation moves within a second expectation range; and establishing that there is an impingement of the joint components when at least one of the calculated instantaneous center point of rotation or the calculated instantaneous axis of rotation leaves or exits the respective expectation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Hubert Götte, Martin Immerz
  • Marker navigation device
    Patent number: 7696899
    Abstract: A marker navigation device for determining and/or tracking a location of a marker device is provided. The marker device is attachable to an object, said marker device including a plurality of markers having known dimensions and being in a known positional relationship relative to each other. The marker navigation device includes: a detection device operative to detect signals emitted by or reflected from the plurality of markers, wherein the detection device is formed such that in first locations of the detection device relative to the marker device, detection of signals from one marker of the plurality of markers is restricted or impossible due to a location of another marker of the plurality of markers. In second locations of the detection device relative to the marker device, the plurality of markers are detectable by the detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Martin Immerz, Gregor Tuma
  • Adjustable marker arrangement
    Patent number: 7688998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reference star adapter and a method of re-calibrating a previously registered body using the reference star adapter. The reference star adapter includes a first fixing element for coupling the reference star adapter to a body, and a second fixing element for coupling the reference star adapter to a plurality of markers. At least one joint is coupled between the first fixing element and the second fixing element, and at least one position detector is operatively coupled to the at least one joint, wherein the at least one position detector provides data describing a position or a geometry of the at least one joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Gregor Tuma, Norman Plassky
  • Medical upright positioning device and system
    Patent number: 7686509
    Abstract: A medical upright positioning device includes a planar structure having a foot positioning device. At least one outer edge of the planar structure comprises an abutting or engaging device arranged in a predefined positional relationship to the foot positioning device, wherein the abutting or engaging device is operative to position the planar structure in at least one predefined orientation relative to a reference direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BrainLAB AG
    Inventors: Oliver Fleig, Philipp Pousset