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Publication Number
US-8088058-B2
Publication Date
2012-01-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Just one embodiment of the invention includes a device, method and system for positioning a treatment instrument with respect to a patient. The novel device includes a holder for securing the treatment instrument (e.g., a magnetic stimulation device used for transcutaneous magnetic stimulation treatment of depression). The holder allows the treatment instrument to move about the patient. The device also includes a first arm that is coupled to the holder, and a vertical support that is coupled to the first arm. The first arm is substantially transverse to the vertical support, and may rotates about the vertical support in a horizontal axis. Such rotation, as well as movement and rotation of other components with respect to each other may be facilitated by a ball bearing construction.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device and system for positioning a treatment instrument with respect to a patient. A holder secures the treatment instrument and allows the treatment instrument to move about the patient, supported by a first arm, a counterbalance, and a vertical support coupled to the first arm at a pivot point, with the first arm being substantially transverse to the vertical support.
The articulating arrangement includes a second arm coupled to the vertical support and the holder such that the second arm is substantially parallel to the first portion of the first arm. A vertical member is directly coupled to the first arm and the second arm and is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation throughout the range of movement of the first arm, with ball bearings and a center-of-gravity arrangement described for stable positioning.
The system further optionally includes a treatment instrument locator device for determining positions as a function of detecting fiducial reflectors located on the treatment instrument and the patient. A video camera determines the position of the treatment instrument and the position of the patient by detecting the location of the fiducial reflectors, while maintaining a line of sight to at least one fiducial reflector while the articulating arm is in operation.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two related inventive concepts: a counterbalanced articulating-arm positioning device that maintains a vertical member substantially vertical throughout the first arm’s range of movement, and an integrated positioning system that adds a treatment instrument locator device using fiducial reflectors and a video camera with maintained line of sight during articulating-arm operation. The main inventive features are concentrated in 5 inventive-feature elements across the two independent claims.
Counterbalanced transverse first arm with pivoted vertical support
A holder for securing the treatment instrument, wherein the holder allows the treatment instrument to move about the patient; a first arm; a counterbalance; a vertical support coupled to the first arm at a pivot point, wherein the first arm is substantially transverse to the vertical support; wherein a first portion of the first arm extends in a first direction from the pivot point and a second portion of the first arm extends in a second direction from the pivot point, wherein the holder is coupled to the first portion of the first arm and the counterbalance is coupled to the second portion of the first arm.
Parallel second arm arrangement
A second arm coupled to the vertical support and the holder such that the second arm is substantially parallel to the first portion of the first arm.
Substantially vertical member maintained throughout range of movement
A vertical member directly coupled to the first arm and the second arm, wherein the vertical member is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation throughout the range of movement of the first arm.
Fiducial-reflector based treatment instrument locator device
A treatment instrument locator device comprising fiducial reflectors located on the treatment instrument and the patient, and a video camera for determining the position of the treatment instrument and the position of the patient as a function of detecting the location of the fiducial reflectors.
Maintained line of sight during articulating arm operation
The video camera maintains a line of sight to at least one fiducial reflector while the articulating arm is in operation.
The claim coverage centers on a counterbalanced articulating-arm positioning structure where the first arm pivots about a vertical support and a vertical member remains substantially vertical throughout the first arm’s range of movement, together with a treatment instrument locator device using fiducial reflectors and a video camera that maintains line of sight while the articulating arm is operating.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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