Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position of a wireless catheter probe being used during a surgical procedure. Magnetic fields are projected into an anatomical body to induce voltage signals in a sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the position of a wireless sensor/transmitter. The voltage signals are wirelessly re-transmitted by the sensor/transmitter as positional signals indicative of a current location of the sensor/transmitter in the anatomical body. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless catheter probe is self-powered using the induced voltage signals on a sensing coil. In another embodiment, induced voltage signals of a separate coil are used to power the device.

Abstract: An integrated surgical anchor/localization sensor is disclosed. The anchor is adapted to be secured to an anatomical structure and contains a sensor housing. A receiver is located within the sensor housing and is adapted to sense reference signals generated by a surgical guidance system. A transmitter, connected to the receiver, conveys to a processor signals received by the receiver, so that the signals transmitted by the receiver are indicative of a current position of the anchor. Various other structures and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated surgical anchor/localization sensor is disclosed. The anchor is adapted to be secured to an anatomical structure and contains a sensor housing. A receiver is located within the sensor housing and is adapted to sense reference signals generated by a surgical guidance system. A transmitter, connected to the receiver, conveys to a processor signals received by the receiver, so that the signals transmitted by the receiver are indicative of a current position of the anchor. Various other structures and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for and method of determining and compensating for the effect of a field influencing object on a field sensor, preferably a coil, that is within a navigational domain. The navigational domain contains navigational magnetic energy and disturbing magnetic energy, and the field influencing object produces the disturbing magnetic energy in response to the navigational magnetic energy. The correction system includes a first transmitter for projecting into the navigational domain field energy in a first waveform sufficient to induce a first signal value in the sensing coil. The system also includes a second transmitter for projecting into the navigational domain field energy in a second waveform sufficient to induce a second signal value in the sensing coil. The system further includes a signal processor for receiving the first signal value and for receiving the second signal value to determine the effect of the electrically conductive object on the field senior.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position of a wireless catheter probe being used during a surgical procedure. Magnetic fields are projected into an anatomical body to induce voltage signals in a sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the position of a wireless sensor/transmitter. The voltage signals are wirelessly re-transmitted by the sensor/transmitter as positional signals indicative of a current location of the sensor/transmitter in the anatomical body. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless catheter probe is self-powered using the induced voltage signals on a sensing coil. In another embodiment, induced voltage signals of a separate coil are used to power the device.

Abstract: A method for use during a procedure on a body. The method generates a display representing relative positions of two structures during the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system comprises an ultrasound machine and a computer coupled to the ultrasound machine. A memory is coupled to the computer and includes computer instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to generate an icon representing the surgical instrument with a tip and the surgical instrument's trajectory and to overlay the icon on a real-time ultrasound image having an image plane, such that when the surgical instrument crosses the ultrasound image plane the format of the surgical instrument's trajectory is changed to represent the surgical instrument's crossing of the ultrasound image's plane. The system also comprises a localizer coupled to the ultrasound machine, and a display coupled to the computer for displaying the generated icon superimposed on the real-time image.

Abstract: A system for utilizing and registering at least two surgical navigation systems during stereotactic surgery. The system comprises a first surgical navigation system defining a first patient space, a second surgical navigation system defining a second patient space, and a translation device to register the coordinates of the first patient space to the coordinates of the second patient space. The translation device comprises a rigid body, at least one component for a first navigation system placed in or on the rigid body, and at least one component for a second navigation system placed in or on the rigid body, in known relation to the at least one component for the first navigation system. The translation device is positioned in a working volume of each of the at least two navigation systems.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system comprises an ultrasound machine and a computer coupled to the ultrasound machine. A memory is coupled to the computer and includes computer instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to generate an icon representing the surgical instrument with a tip and the surgical instrument's trajectory and to overlay the icon on a real-time ultrasound image having an image plane, such that when the surgical instrument crosses the ultrasound image plane the format of the surgical instrument's trajectory is changed to represent the surgical instrument's crossing of the ultrasound image's plane. The system also comprises a localizer coupled to the ultrasound machine, and a display coupled to the computer for displaying the generated icon superimposed on the real-time image.

Abstract: A method for use during a procedure on a body. The method generates a display representing relative positions of two structure during the procedure.

Abstract: A system for utilizing and registering at least two surgical navigation systems during stereotactic surgery. The system comprises a first surgical navigation system defining a first patient space, a second surgical navigation system defining a second patient space, and a translation device to register the coordinates of the first patient space to the coordinates of the second patient space. The translation device comprises a rigid body, at least one component for a first navigation system placed in or on the rigid body, and at least one component for a second navigation system placed in or on the rigid body, in known relation to the at least one component for the first navigation system. The translation device is positioned in a working volume of each of the at least two navigation systems.

Abstract: A system for utilizing and registering at least two surgical navigation systems during stereotactic surgery. The system comprises a first surgical navigation system defining a first patient space, a second surgical navigation system defining a second patient space, and a translation device to register the coordinates of the first patient space to the coordinates of the second patient space. The translation device comprises a rigid body, at least one component for a first navigation system placed in or on the rigid body, and at least one component for a second navigation system placed in or on the rigid body, in known relation to the at least one component for the first navigation system. The translation device is positioned in a working volume of each of the at least two navigation systems.