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Publication Number
US-11432882-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
According to one aspect of the invention, a system for medical object tracking is provided. The system includes a plurality of radio frequency transceivers where each of the plurality of radio frequency transceivers are configured to emit a radio frequency signal at a respective frequency. The system includes a radio frequency beacon removably attachable to a medical object where the radio frequency beacon configured to: reflect the radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency transceivers, and emit vibration-based signals. The system includes a control device in communication with the plurality of radio frequency transceivers where the control device includes processing circuitry configured to determine a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the reflected radio frequency signals and vibration-based signals.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an RF-based medical object tracking system that includes a plurality of radio frequency transceivers and a radio frequency beacon removably attachable to a medical object. Each transceiver emits a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency, and the radio frequency beacon emits a second radio frequency signal at a second respective frequency different from the first respective frequency in response to receiving the radio frequency signal. A control device in communication with the plurality of radio frequency transceivers determines a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the second radio frequency signal.
The beacon includes a platform with medical object affixation elements extending orthogonally and at an oblique angle from the platform, a dome, and an antenna disposed within the dome, with a circuit board disposed between the dome and the platform and the antenna affixed to the circuit board. The beacon is also described as including a mechanical mounting mechanism such as a twist-lock to a platform with fixation elements.
Disclosed systems and methods integrate RF tracking with additional sensing, where vibration-based signals may be emitted by the beacon and accelerometer data may be used alongside reflected RF signals. The control device determines three-dimensional position and can optionally determine orientation, including 6-DOF, based on the RF signals and additional beacon-emitted signals, using processing that includes triangulation and range-Doppler processing with Doppler filtering to reject clutter.
The medical object tracking system is disclosed for orthopedic surgery contexts, including orthopedic joint replacement such as knee arthroplasty, where tracked pins and beacons are used with customization of implant and cutting planes. The document further describes use cases involving tracking of cutting tools and jigs and integration with laser or LIDAR scanning, along with association of QR-linked procedure preferences.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims include three independent claims: a system claim, a method claim, and a beacon structure claim. The independent claims focus on a plurality of radio frequency transceivers interrogating a removably attachable radio frequency beacon that emits a different second frequency in response to received first-frequency signals, determining a medical object location in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the second radio frequency signals, and a specific beacon construction with a dome, an antenna inside the dome, and a circuit board between the dome and the platform.
Three-dimensional RF tracking using frequency-shifted beacon signals
A system for medical object tracking using a plurality of radio frequency transceivers that each emit a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency, and a radio frequency beacon removably attachable to a medical object that emits a second radio frequency signal at a second respective frequency different than the first respective frequency in response to receiving the radio frequency signal, where a control device determines a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the second radio frequency signal.
Method of determining 3D location using frequency-shifted beacon emissions
A method implemented in a system for tracking a medical object comprising removably affixing to the medical object a radio frequency beacon having a platform with a first medical object affixation element extending orthogonally from the platform and a second medical object affixation element extending at an oblique angle from the platform, emitting at each radio frequency transceiver of a plurality of radio frequency transceivers a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency, emitting at the radio frequency beacon in response to the radio frequency signal at the first respective frequency second radio frequency signals at a second respective frequency different than the first respective frequency, and determining a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the second radio frequency signals.
Radio frequency beacon with dome-contained antenna on intermediate circuit board
A radio frequency beacon comprising a platform; a first medical object fixation element extending from and perpendicular to the platform; a second medical object fixation element disposed at an oblique angle to the platform; a dome including an antenna disposed within; and a circuit board disposed between the dome and the platform, the antenna being affixed to the circuit board.
Across the independent claims, the central coverage is for tracking medical objects by interrogating a removable RF beacon that emits a different second frequency in response to received first-frequency signals, and determining the medical object location in three-dimensional space based on the second radio frequency signals. The beacon structure claim further requires a dome containing an antenna with a circuit board disposed between the dome and the platform.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Orthopedic surgery use including orthopedic joint replacement such as knee arthroplasty with tracked pins/beacons.
Integration with laser/LIDAR scanning.
Tracking of cutting tools and jigs.
Customization of implant/cutting planes.
Association of QR-linked procedure preferences.
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