Abstract: A distance measuring method for measuring surfaces uses a laser source having a frequency that can be modulated to tune a wavelength of a laser beam in a wavelength range. The laser beam is generated with a coherence length to provide a measuring beam and is emitted at the surface, located within a specified distance range, as a measuring beam. The measuring beam is back-scattered by the surface and is received again and used to interferometrically measure the distance from a reference point to the surface. The specified distance range lies at least partly outside of the coherence length. One portion of the laser beam is temporally delayed with respect to another portion, such that the one optical path difference caused by the delay matches the optical path difference that corresponds to a distance in the specified distance range plus or minus the coherence length of the laser.

Abstract: Geodetic measuring device that has an angle and distance measuring functionality for determining a position of a target object. For this purpose, the measuring device comprises a sighting device having a lens that magnifies multiplicatively, a camera sensor comprising a plurality of image recording points for recording a camera image of a field of view, a focusing optical system arranged in front of the camera sensor—wherein a first optical path is defined between the lens and the camera sensor—and an ocular. The camera sensor is connected to an electronic graphics processor for generating a display image from the camera image. The sighting device comprises an electronic graphical display component arranged in front of the ocular for visually presenting the generated display image, wherein a second optical path separated from the first optical path by the display image is defined between the display component and the ocular.

Abstract: A navigation system for use during a surgical procedure is provided. The navigation system is configured to use electromagnetic tracking data produced by electromagnetic tracking devices and 2D image data produced by a fluoroscope to intra-operatively register 2D images of a patient to a pre-operative 3D image of the patient. In some implementations, a surgeon may be able to perform an interventional or surgical procedure guided by the navigation system.

Abstract: In a distance-measuring method, chirped laser radiation with two separable radiation components is emitted to at least one target to be surveyed and via a local oscillator path, the radiation components having an opposite chirp as a time dependency of the modulated wavelengths (?1, ?2). After reception of the laser radiation scattered back from the target and passed via the local oscillator path, the laser radiation received is converted into signals and the distance to the at least one target is determined from the signals on the basis of interferometric mixing, separation of the radiation components being effected on the basis of their spectral characteristic.

Abstract: In a distance-measuring method comprising a distance-measuring apparatus having at least one frequency-modulatable laser source for producing chirped laser radiation. The laser radiation has radiation components with opposite chirp as time dependency of the modulated wavelengths, the simultaneous oppositeness of the frequency curve being realized via an optical delay path (3) for one of the two radiation components. The radiation produced is passed in a measuring interferometer (5) to a target (6) and parallel via a local Oscillator. After reception of the laser radiation scattered back from the target (6) and passed via the local oscillator path, the laser radiation received is converted into signals and the distance to the at least one target (6) is determined from the signals on the basis of interferometric mixing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for correlating data including: receiving from a tracking subsystem a first data set including a tracked position of an object; receiving from an imaging subsystem a second data set including an image of the object; and comparing automatically at least a portion of the first data set with at least a portion of the second data based at least in part on the tracked position of the object and the image of the object. In an embodiment, the comparing automatically the first data set with the second data set is performable in real-time. In an embodiment, the method further includes registering the first data set with the second data set. In an embodiment, the tracking subsystem tracks the object electromagnetically, at least in part. In an embodiment, the imaging subsystem includes an x-ray imaging subsystem. In an embodiment, the first data set is generatable by the tracking subsystem substantially in real-time.

Abstract: A system for integrating radiolucent tracking sensors in a medical table, table mat, or surgical drape of a surgical navigation system, allowing the surgical navigation system to be less obtrusive in a surgery environment. A plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors are integrated into a table, table mat, or surgical draping of a surgical navigation system for improving surgical navigation workflow and eliminating image artifacts from intraoperative images. The plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors may be located within a table or adjacent to a table surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine, in particular for a coordinate measurement machine. The optical sensor comprises a sensor-side coupling part for mechanically and optically connecting to the measurement machine, and a sensor element. According to the invention, the sensor comprises a sensor protective coupling as collision protection, said protective coupling comprising a coupling part on the measurement machine side and a coupling part on the sensor element side, wherein a fiber optic cable is routed between the coupling parts of the sensor protective coupling and wherein a fiber optic cable protection element surrounds the fiber optic cable, wherein the ends of the fiber optic cable protection element are fastened to the associated coupling part of the sensor protective coupling.

Abstract: A surface sensing device comprising an optical monitoring system for measuring a displacement of the tip a hollow stylus with respect to a stylus carrier. According to the invention, the light emitting means of the optical monitoring system are built in such a way that the beam has at least two distinguishable light characteristics with a given characteristics distribution. The optical monitoring system further comprises an optically encoding component positioned in the stylus carrier in the optical return path and designed to transform the information of an impinging position of the returned beam upon the optical encoding component into a change of the characteristics distribution of the returned beam, and the detector means is sensitive for the at least two distinguishable light characteristics and built for generating the electrical output signal dependent on the changed characteristics distribution of the returned beam.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system having one or more magnetoresistance sensors, where the sensors have the noise and dynamic range appropriate for electromagnetic position and orientation tracking. The surgical navigation system comprising at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor rigidly attached to an anatomical reference of a patient, at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to at least one device, and at least one processor for determining the position and orientation of the at least one device.

Abstract: A system with a container (1) and a tool holder (20) having two ends (21, 22). One of the ends of the tool holder is adapted to be secured to a machine tool and the other end is adapted for attaching a cutting edge or a cutting edge carrying unit. The tool holder includes an internal cavity (23) surrounded by a cavity wall. The cavity accommodates the container. One end of the cavity is adapted for connection to a supply for a cooling medium and the other end is connected to an outlet for cooling medium. The cavity furthermore includes an opening (25) for installation of the container. At least one gap for leading the cooling medium is formed between the container and the cavity wall. The container can be installed in a machine tool, and the container can be used to accommodate one or several sensors for measuring parameters or for receiving a damping system.

Abstract: In a method for generating a synthetic wavelength, particularly for an interferometric distance measuring setup, with a primary laser source defining a primary frequency ?0 and at least a first sideband frequency ?1 of the primary frequency ?0, laser radiation with the first sideband frequency ?1 and a corresponding first wavelength is provided wherein the first sideband frequency ?1 is continuously shifted, particularly by modulating the primary laser source. The synthetic wavelength is generated by combining the first wavelength and a second wavelength which is defined by the primary laser source, particularly by superposition.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance sensor for use in a position and orientation tracking system includes an insulating substrate, a pattern of a metal material and/or a semiconductor material deposited on a surface of the insulating substrate, and a bias magnet material deposited over the alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material. The position and orientation tracking system includes at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object, at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked, and a processor coupled to the at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one magnetoresistance sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a medical imaging device is provided. The system includes a medical imaging device. The system further includes a medical instrument. Further, the system includes a navigation subsystem that is configured to track the medical instrument. Furthermore, the system includes a control subsystem that communicates with the navigation subsystem. The control subsystem is configured to correlate at least one of orientation, position and motion of the medical instrument with a function of the medical imaging device. The control subsystem is further configured to direct the medical imaging device to perform the function associated with the medical imaging device, based on the correlation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine, in particular for a coordinate measurement machine. The optical sensor comprises a sensor-side coupling part for mechanically and optically connecting to the measurement machine, and a sensor element. According to the invention, the sensor comprises a sensor protective coupling as collision protection, said protective coupling comprising a coupling part on the measurement machine side and a coupling part on the sensor element side, wherein a fiber optic cable is routed between the coupling parts of the sensor protective coupling and wherein a fiber optic cable protection element surrounds the fiber optic cable, wherein the ends of the fiber optic cable protection element are fastened to the associated coupling part of the sensor protective coupling.

Abstract: Multimodal optical imaging is disclosed. Possible devices include a filter assembly that is capable of rotary action during real time image acquisition. Systems are disclosed that include such filter assemblies, which are detachable or integrated in the systems. Various techniques for capturing image targets using multiple light sources such as white light and fluorescent light are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multimodal optical imaging is disclosed. Possible devices include a filter assembly that is capable of rotary action during real time image acquisition. Systems are disclosed that include such filter assemblies, which are detachable or integrated in the systems. Various techniques for capturing image targets using multiple light sources such as white light and fluorescent light are also disclosed.

Abstract: Geodetic measuring device that has an angle and distance measuring functionality for determining a position of a target object. For this purpose, the measuring device comprises a sighting device having a lens that magnifies multiplicatively, a camera sensor comprising a plurality of image recording points for recording a camera image of a field of view, a focusing optical system arranged in front of the camera sensor—wherein a first optical path is defined between the lens and the camera sensor—and an ocular. The camera sensor is connected to an electronic graphics processor for generating a display image from the camera image. The sighting device comprises an electronic graphical display component arranged in front of the ocular for visually presenting the generated display image, wherein a second optical path separated from the first optical path by the display image is defined between the display component and the ocular.

Abstract: In a distance-measuring method, chirped laser radiation with two separable radiation components is emitted to at least one target to be surveyed and via a local oscillator path, the radiation components having an opposite chirp as a time dependency of the modulated wavelengths (?1, ?2). After reception of the laser radiation scattered back from the target and passed via the local oscillator path, the laser radiation received is converted into signals and the distance to the at least one target is determined from the signals on the basis of interferometric mixing, separation of the radiation components being effected on the basis of their spectral characteristic.

Abstract: An imaging and navigation system is disclosed herein. The imaging and navigation system includes a computer and an ultrasonic imaging device disposed at least partially within an ultrasound catheter. The ultrasonic imaging device is connected to the computer and is adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The imaging and navigation system also includes a tracking system connected to the computer. The tracking system is adapted to estimate a position of a medical instrument. The imaging and navigation system also includes a display connected to the computer. The display is adapted to depict the generally real time three-dimensional image from the ultrasonic imaging device and to graphically convey the estimated position of the medical instrument.