Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.

Abstract: The present invention provides for disambiguating the phase of a field received from a wireless tracker in an electromagnetic (“EM”) tracking system. In a first method, a carrier wave signal is modulated with a tracking signal transmitted by an EM tracker. A time reference indicating a starting point for a particular phase of the carrier wave signal is determined and is used to determine the proper phase for the tracking signal. In a second method, the EM tracker transmits auxiliary data that includes the proper phase of the tracking signal. In a third method, the EM tracker includes a passive transponder that receives a desired phase of a tracking signal as auxiliary data in an excitation signal. In response, the EM tracker transmits the tracking signal according to the desired phase. Tracking electronics may then lock onto the proper or desired phase determined according to any of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a flat-panel detector integrated with an electromagnetic coil array. The electromagnetic coil array is positioned inside of the flat-panel detector. The electromagnetic coil array is configured to detect an electromagnetic field at the flat-panel detector. In an embodiment, the flat-panel detector may also include a detector panel. The electromagnetic coil array may be positioned behind the detector panel. In an embodiment, the detector panel may be transparent to electromagnetic fields. In an embodiment, the flat-panel detector may also include a cold plate. The electromagnetic coil array may be positioned between the detector panel and the cold plate. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic coil array may include one or more electromagnetic coils. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic coil array may be a printed circuit board (PCB) electromagnetic coil array.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil arrangement comprising a plurality of electromagnetic sensors located about the periphery of a region and at least one center electromagnetic sensor located at or near the center of the region, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic sensors and the at least one center electromagnetic sensor are located in a single plane. An electromagnetic tracking system and method of use, the electromagnetic tracking system comprising the electromagnetic coil arrangement, at least one complementary electromagnetic sensor, and a processor configured to process a signal comprising data indicative of a mutual inductance between the at least one complementary electromagnetic sensor and each of the electromagnetic sensors of the electromagnetic coil arrangement.

Abstract: A system and method for instrument identification in an electromagnetic tracking system. The system and method comprising at least one electromagnetic transmitter and receiver assembly; at least one medical device or instrument removably coupled to the at least one electromagnetic transmitter or receiver assembly; and an RFID transponder attached to the medical device or instrument. The RFID transponder is programmed with data including a unique identifier for identifying the medical device or instrument it is attached to. The at least one electromagnetic receiver or transmitter assembly is configured to read data including the unique identifier from the RFID transponder for identifying the medical device or instrument removably coupled to the to the at least one electromagnetic transmitter or receiver assembly.

Abstract: A method for electromagnetic tracking the position and orientation of an object using a discretized numerical field model, rather than the conventional analytical dipole model. The method including the steps of determining a discretized numerical field model associated with a particular distortion source; acquiring mutual inductance signals between electromagnetic sensors and the particular distortion source, the sensors being rigidly attached to a tracked object; estimating an initial position for the tracked object in the presence of the particular distortion source; refining the estimated position of the tracked object; and estimating an orientation of the tracked object.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system including an ultrasound catheter is disclosed herein. The ultrasound catheter includes a flexible catheter housing defining a distal end, a transducer array disposed at least partially within the catheter housing, and a motor coupled with the transducer array. The motor is configured to rotate the transducer array in order to image a three-dimensional (3D) volume. The ultrasound catheter also includes at least one tracking element adapted to provide an estimate of a position and orientation of the distal end of the catheter housing. The at least one tracking element is disposed within the catheter housing and located immediately adjacent to the distal end.

Abstract: A system and method of minimizing the mutual inductance coupling between two or more coils of a coil array of an electromagnetic tracking system. The system involves a geometric arrangement of two or more coils, which significantly reduces any mutual inductance coupling between the two or more coils. The method involves characterization of two or more coils and compensating for mutual inductance coupling between the characterized two or more coils.

Abstract: Various methods for fabricating an antenna are provided. The methods include stitching an antenna pattern onto a substrate where the stitching incorporates a wire.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system comprising at least one electromagnetic transmitter assembly or at least one electromagnetic receiver assembly with two coils attachable to a trackable object to be tracked. The two coils including a first large coil and a second small coil, with the second small coil positioned asymmetrically with respect to the first large coil. The electromagnetic tracking system enables a medical professional to continually track the position and orientation of the object during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method of minimizing the electromagnetic field distortion in an electromagnetic tracking system. The system and method comprising a transmitter or receiver coil arrangement comprising at least two coils connected in series and symmetrically about opposite ends of an object to be tracked. The object to be tracked may be a medical device, implant or instrument that may be made of a magnetic field distorting electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system comprising a transmitter coil array with two or more transmitter coils and a receiver coil array with one or more ferrite rod antennas. A transmitter or receiver coil array for an electromagnetic tracking system comprising a plurality of ferrite rod antennas positioned on a plane at different locations, with different orientations, and pointing in different directions.

Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic tracking system, including at least one electromagnetic field receiver having at least one scalar-magnetometer, at least one electromagnetic field transmitter, and tracker electronics. Also provided is a method for electromagnetic tracking, including generating at least one magnetic field, sensing the at least one magnetic field with at least one scalar-magnetometer, and determining a relative position of the at least one scalar-magnetometer based on the sensed at least one magnetic field.

Abstract: A source for inducing an electromagnetic magnetic field, comprising: a substrate, a conductive layer coupled to the substrate, and a planar coil coupled to the substrate, wherein the planar coil comprises non-concentric rings, and wherein the non-concentric rings are configured such that a drive current applied across the non-concentric rings provides a magnetic field, and wherein the magnetic field comprises a moment vector that is tilted at an angle from the normal to a plane of the planar coil. Also provided are a method of electromagnetic tracking, a method of manufacture of a planar coil, and an electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a tracking system, including a motor coupled to a medical instrument and configured to generate at least one magnetic field, and at least one receiver coil configured to sense the magnetic field. Also provided is a method of tracking, including rotating a rotor of a motor, wherein the rotor comprises a permanent magnet that generates a rotating magnetic field when the rotor is rotated, sensing the rotating magnetic field with at least one receiver, transmitting to a processor a signal indicative of the rotating magnetic field, and processing the signal to determine a position of the motor. Further provided is a method of tracking, comprising energizing a stator coil of a motor to generate at least one magnetic field, sensing the at least one magnetic field with at least one receiver, transmitting to a processor a signal indicative of the at least one magnetic field, and processing the signal to determine a position of the motor.

Abstract: Provided in certain embodiments is a tracking system, having a transformer-coupled guidewire system, having a coil comprising a primary winding, configured to enable a guidewire including a secondary winding to be inductively coupled to the primary winding, and configured to enable a catheter to be slid over the guidewire while the secondary winding is inductively coupled to the primary winding. Also provided is a tracking method, including positioning a primary winding about a first coil that is integral to a first end of a guidewire, inductively coupling the primary winding and the first coil, transferring the energy between the first coil and a second coil integral to a second end of the guidewire, passing a catheter over the guidewire, and tracking the guidewire while the catheter is slid over the guidewire.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for an electromagnetic shield assembly for use with C-arms. In an embodiment, the system may include a ring shield configured to encompass an x-ray detector. The ring shield may have a first window opening to receive x-rays. The system may also include a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for a universal navigation target. In an embodiment, the system may include a radiolucent calibration target and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield may include a ring shield having a first window opening to receive x-rays and a window shield configured to shield the first window opening of the ring shield.

Abstract: Described herein are one or more implementations for reducing the effects of distortion caused by the distorters in medical image-capture components used in medical electromagnetic tracking system. Examples of a medical image-capture component include an X-ray image detector used in fluoroscopic image-guided medical procedures and a surgical microscope. With one or more implementations described herein, the electromagnetic receiver unit (or transmitter unit) is conformably attached to the medical image-capture component.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system including an ultrasound catheter is disclosed herein. The ultrasound catheter includes a flexible catheter housing defining a distal end, a transducer array disposed at least partially within the catheter housing, and a motor coupled with the transducer array. The motor is configured to rotate the transducer array in order to image a three-dimensional volume. The ultrasound catheter also includes a tracking element adapted to provide an estimate of a position and/or orientation of the distal end of the catheter housing. The tracking element is disposed within the catheter housing and immediately adjacent to the distal end.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system is disclosed herein. The surgical navigation system includes a tracking system, a field generator operatively connected to the tracking system, a field sensor operatively connected to the tracking system, and an electrostatic shield circumscribing the field sensor. The electrostatic shield is adapted minimize capacitive coupling between the field generator and the field sensor.