Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11510739-B2
Publication Date
2022-11-29
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 using a plurality of radio frequency transceivers and a plurality of radio frequency beacons removably attachable to a medical object. Each radio frequency transceiver emits a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency, and each radio frequency beacon modifies the radio frequency signal from the first respective frequency to a second respective frequency different than the first respective frequency.
The system determines the location of the respective medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the modified radio frequency signal. The radio frequency beacon includes an antenna within a dome or antenna housing, and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor disposed within the dome or antenna housing. Processing circuitry obtains the modified radio frequency signal and supports location determination using the modified radio frequency signal.
The disclosed beacon structure further includes mounting and medical object fixation elements extending from the mounting, including a first medical object fixation element extending from and perpendicular to the mounting and a second medical object fixation element disposed at an oblique angle to the mounting. In example implementations, multiple beacons are used for tracking a bone and a cutting instrument, and IMU information can be used to obtain six-degree-of-freedom measurement including tilt and positional data.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent system claims, each covering an RF medical object tracking system with inventive features centered on removable RF beacons that modify interrogating RF signals to a different frequency and a control device that determines 3D location based on the modified radio signal.
Removably attachable RF beacons that modify RF signals to a different frequency
A plurality of radio frequency beacons removably attachable to a respective medical object, each beacon including processing circuitry configured to obtain a modified radio frequency signal by modifying the radio frequency signal from the respective first frequency to a second respective frequency different than the first respective frequency.
Control device determines 3D location based on modified RF signal
A control device in communication with the plurality of radio frequency transceivers, the control device including processing circuitry configured to determine a location of the respective medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the modified radio frequency signal.
Beacon dome/antenna housing with IMU sensor and affixed antenna and IMU
Each radio frequency beacon includes a dome or an antenna housing including an antenna disposed within, and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor disposed within the dome or antenna housing, with processing circuitry disposed between the dome/antenna housing and the mounting, the IMU sensor and the antenna being affixed to the processing circuitry.
Beacon mounting with first perpendicular fixation element and second oblique fixation element
Each radio frequency beacon includes mounting and a first medical object fixation element extending from and perpendicular to the mounting, and a second medical object fixation element being disposed at an oblique angle to the mounting.
Across both independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the combination of multiple RF transceivers and removably attachable RF beacons that modify RF signals from a first respective frequency to a second respective frequency, and a control device that determines the medical object’s 3D location based at least in part on the modified radio frequency signal, with beacon implementation including an antenna and IMU sensor housed within a dome or antenna housing and supported by mounting and fixation elements.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?