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Publication Number
US-11896319-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for medical object tracking are provided. The system may include a plurality of radio frequency transceivers that each emit a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency. The system may further include a radio frequency beacon that is attachable to the medical object and 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. The system may also include a control device in communication with the plurality of radio frequency transceivers, the control device including processing circuitry that determines a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the second radio frequency signal. The beacon may include a platform, a first fixation element that extends from the platform; and a second fixation element that is tilted relative to the first fixation element.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for tracking a medical object in three-dimensional space using radio frequency transceivers and a radio frequency beacon. A first radio frequency transceiver emits a first radio frequency signal at a first frequency, and a second and third radio frequency transceivers emit corresponding radio frequency signals at second and third frequencies. The beacon emits additional radio frequency signals at different fourth, fifth, and sixth frequencies in response to receiving the first, second, and third radio frequency signals.
A control device in communication with the transceivers includes processing circuitry that determines a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the fourth, fifth, and sixth radio frequency signals. In another implementation, a plurality of radio frequency transceivers emits radio frequency signals at respective first frequencies and the radio frequency beacon 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.
The beacon includes a platform with a first fixation element extending substantially orthogonally from the platform and a second fixation element extending at an oblique angle or tilted relative to the first fixation element. A computer-implemented method includes removably affixing the radio frequency beacon to the medical object, emitting radio frequency signals from a plurality of radio frequency transceivers, emitting corresponding second radio frequency signals at frequencies different than the first respective frequencies in response to the received signals, and determining the location in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the second radio frequency signals.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims covering system and computer-implemented method aspects of 3D medical object tracking using multiple radio frequency transceivers and a radio frequency beacon with orthogonal and tilted fixation elements. Across the independent claims, the inventive core is the beacon’s responsive emission of different frequency signals and a control device determining the 3D location based on those emitted signals.
Tri-frequency transceiver interrogation with responsive beacon frequency emissions for 3D location
A system including a first, a second, and a third radio frequency transceiver that emit a first, a second, and a third radio frequency signal, respectively, and a radio frequency beacon that emits a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth radio frequency signal in response to receiving the first, second, and third radio frequency signals; wherein a control device determines a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the fourth radio frequency signal, the fifth radio frequency signal, and the sixth radio frequency signal.
Beacon with orthogonal and tilted fixation elements emitting a different frequency signal for 3D location
A system including a plurality of radio frequency transceivers that each emit a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency, and a radio frequency beacon attachable to the 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, wherein the radio frequency beacon comprises a platform with a first fixation element extending substantially orthogonally and a second fixation element spaced from and tilted relative to the first fixation element; and wherein 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.
Computer-implemented tracking by removably affixing a beacon and determining 3D location based on emitted different-frequency signals
A computer-implemented method comprising removably affixing a radio frequency beacon to the medical object wherein the radio frequency beacon comprises a platform, a first fixation element extending substantially orthogonally from the platform, and a second fixation element spaced from and tilted relative to the first fixation element; emitting, from each radio frequency transceiver of a plurality of radio frequency transceivers, a radio frequency signal at a first respective frequency; emitting, from the radio frequency beacon in response to the radio frequency signal at each first respective frequency, a second radio frequency signal at a second respective frequency that is 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.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on a radio frequency beacon with a platform and fixation elements extending substantially orthogonally and tilted/oblique, and a control device determining the medical object’s three-dimensional location using frequency-shifted or otherwise different radio frequency signals emitted by the beacon in response to received transceiver signals.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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