387 results about "Localization system" patented technology

An automated system for navigating a medical device through the lumens and cavities in an operating region in a patient. The system includes an elongate medical device, having a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be introduced into the operating region. The system also includes an imaging system for displaying an image of the operating region, including a representation of the distal end of the medical device in the operating region. The system also includes a localization system for determining the position of the medical device in a frame of reference translatable to the displayed image of the imaging system. Finally, the system includes a system for orienting the medical device in a selected direction in the operating region, this system may be, for example, a magnetic navigation system which acts through the interaction of magnetic fields associated with the medical device inside the operating region and at least one external source magnet outside the patient's body.

Methods and apparatus using a surgical navigation system to position the femoral component of a prosthetic hip during hip joint replacement surgery without separately affixing a marker to the femur. The navigation system acquires the center of rotation of the hip joint as well as at least one point on the femur in the pelvic frame of reference. From these two points, the navigation system calculates the position and length of a first line between the center of rotation of the hip joint and the point on the femur. Optionally, a second point on the femur that is not on the first line is palpated. The system can calculate the position and length of a second line that is perpendicular to the first line and that runs from the first line to the second palpated point on the femur. The prosthetic cup is implanted and its center of rotation is recorded. A tool for forming the bore within which the stem of the femoral implant component will be placed is tracked by the navigation system. While the tool is fixed to the femur, the surgeon re-palpates the same point(s) on the femur that were previously palpated. The navigation system calculates the position and length of a first line between the center of rotation of the prosthetic cup and the re-palpated first point. If a second point on the femur was re-palpated, the navigation system also calculates the position and length of a perpendicular line between the first line and the second point. The surgical navigation system uses this information to calculate and display to the surgeon relevant information about the surgery, such as change in the patient's leg length and / or medialization / lateralization of the joint.

A unified approach, a fusion technique, a space-time constraint, a methodology, and system architecture are provided. The unified approach is to fuse the outputs of monocular and stereo video trackers, RFID and localization systems and biometric identification systems. The fusion technique is provided that is based on the transformation of the sensory information from heterogeneous sources into a common coordinate system with rigorous uncertainties analysis to account for various sensor noises and ambiguities. The space-time constraint is used to fuse different sensor using the location and velocity information. Advantages include the ability to continuously track multiple humans with their identities in a large area. The methodology is general so that other sensors can be incorporated into the system. The system architecture is provided for the underlying real-time processing of the sensors.

Replica correlation processing, and associated representative signal-data reduction and reconstruction techniques, are used to detect signals of interest and obtain robust measures of received-signal parameters, such as time differences of signal arrival and directional angles of arrival, that can be used to estimate the location of a cellularized-communications signal source. The new use in the present invention of signal-correlation processing for locating communications transmitters. This enables accurate and efficient extraction of parameters for a particular signal even in a frequency band that contains multiple received transmissions, such as occurs with code-division-multiple-access (CDMA) communications. Correlation processing as disclosed herein further enables extended processing integration times to facilitate the effective detection of desired communications-signal effects and replication measurement of their location-related parameters, even for the communications signals modulated to convey voice conversations or those weakened through propagation effects. Using prior, constructed, signal replicas in the correlation processing enables elimination of the inter-site communications of the signal representations that support the correlation analyses. Reduced-data representations of the modulated signals for voiced conversation, or for the variable components of data communications, are used to significantly reduce the inter-site communications that support the correlation analyses.

The invention relates to a portable mini gamma camera for intrasurgical use. The inventive camera is based on scintillation crystals and comprises a stand-alone device, i.e. all of the necessary systems have been integrated next to the sensor head and no other system is required. The camera can be hot-swapped to any computer using different types of interface, such as to meet medical grade specifications. The camera can be self-powered, can save energy and enables software and firmware to be updated from the Internet and images to be formed in real time. Any gamma ray detector based on continuous scintillation crystals can be provided with a system for focusing the scintillation light emitted by the gamma ray in order to improve spatial resolution. The invention also relates to novel methods for locating radiation-emitting objects and for measuring physical variables, based on radioactive and laser emission pointers.

A system for navigating a medical device through the lumens and cavities in an operating region in a subject, comprising an imaging system for displaying an image of the operating region, including a representation of the distal end of the medical device in the operating region. The system also includes a localization system for determining the position of the medical device in a frame of reference translatable to the displayed image. Finally, the system includes an algorithm for evaluating one or more rotation matrix using a cost function to determine an optimum rotation matrix for performing transformation of a vector in the local frame of the localization system to that of the reference frame of the navigation system. The rotation matrix can then provide a scale invariant transformation or “registration” of the coordinate systems of the localization system and the navigation system. This allows navigation to be performed to a significant extent from the localization system display alone, which avoids the frequent x-ray irradiation that occurs during the use of fluoro imaging for navigation purposes.

A medical tracking system includes a localization system operative to spatially localize medical instruments; a computer operative to assign absolute and / or relative positions of said instruments in a coordinate system; and at least one localizable gamma camera operative to detect gamma radiation emitted from a tracer material.

Systems and methods for bridging packet flows to bypass call legs and / or tunnels are provided. A tunnel initiator, which can be an access gateway, a foreign agent, and a mobility anchor point, for example, provides a bypass for certain packets that have a destination serviced by the same tunnel initiator. The bridge allows the packets to bypass a backhaul loop and reduces latency and frees bandwidth for other purposes in the network. The bridging can be implemented in a tunnel initiator for mobile to mobile packet flows, mobile to land line packet flows, and land line to mobile packet flows. Route optimization can also be provided in certain embodiments.

An apparatus and method for aligning and imaging a body part which immobilizes the body part within a stereotactic body localization system having an imaging resolver fiducial localizer for precise imaging and localization of the body parts within the apparatus. Both anterior and posterior immobilization methods can be used. A continuous array of coupled fiducials is employed with at least one pair formed in a pi / 2 horizontal linked sine and cosine wave fiducial pattern.

A system and method for peer based localization system using radio technology, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi ad-hoc technology that enables mobile devices such as cell phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDAs, etc. to discover their physical location relative to one another. In addition, the peer based localization can use a plurality of radio technologies to increase the accuracy of the physical location estimates. Additionally or alternatively, the peer based localization technique can be combined with infrastructure based location techniques, such as triangulation, GPS, or infrastructure based Wi-Fi localization in order to transpose virtual coordinates into physical coordinates.

Systems are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional systems use such shape data for improved mapping or adjusting models of the instrument. Such systems include robotic medical systems for controlling a shapeable instrument within an anatomical region having a controller, one or more actuators, and a localization system for guiding one or more shapeable instruments.

Replica correlation processing, and associated representative signal-data reduction and reconstruction techniques, are used to detect signals of interest and obtain robust measures of received-signal parameters, such as time differences of signal arrival and directional angles of arrival, that can be used to estimate the location of a cellularized-communications signal source. The new use in the present invention of signal-correlation processing for locating communications transmitters. This enables accurate and efficient extraction of parameters for a particular signal even in a frequency band that contains multiple received transmissions, such as occurs with code-division-multiple-access (CDMA) communications. Correlation processing as disclosed herein further enables extended processing integration times to facilitate the effective detection of desired communications-signal effects and replication measurement of their location-related parameters, even for the communications signals modulated to convey voice conversations or those weakened through propagation effects. Using prior, constructed, signal replicas in the correlation processing enables elimination of the inter-site communications of the signal representations that support the correlation analyses. Reduced-data representations of the modulated signals for voiced conversation, or for the variable components of data communications, are used to significantly reduce the inter-site communications that support the correlation analyses.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus that permit one to position a cutting jig or other component using a localization device to navigate different degrees of freedom of the component in discrete, sequential steps. For instance, a first mounting pin for a cutting jig that sets one or more, but fewer than all, degrees of freedom of the cutting jig is navigated into position using the localization device. For instance, the first mounting pin might set the height and the slope of the cutting plane of the jig. Next, a marker is mounted on the cutting jig and the cutting jig is slid onto the mounted pin. Then the cutting block is navigated in another degree of freedom, for instance, to set the varus-valgus angle of the cutting plane by rotating the jig about the axis of the pin. A second mounting pin for the jig is affixed to the bone based on that navigation.

A catheter is provided with improved position and / or location sensing with the use of single axis sensors that are mounted directly along a length or portion of the catheter whose position / location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are provided on a single axis sensor (SAS) assembly, which can be linear or nonlinear as needed. A catheter of the present invention thus includes a catheter body and a distal member of a particular 2D or 3D configuration that is provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. In one embodiment, the magnetic-based sensor assembly including at least one coil member that is wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region advantageously provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

An x-ray apparatus has a flat panel x-ray detector, the operation of which is susceptible to interference by strong magnetic fields. In order to allow the x-ray system to be operated concurrently with a magnetic system, such as a magnetic tracking system or a magnetic localization system, that emits a magnetic field of sufficient field strength to interfere with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector, a control unit is provided that operates both the flat panel x-ray detector and the magnetic system. The control unit synchronizes operation of the magnetic system with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector so that the magnetic system emits the magnetic field only at times that do not interfere with the operation of the flat panel x-ray detector.

A method of registering two or more localization systems utilizing unique coordinate frames A and B to a common coordinate frames includes measuring position information for one or more reference locations r in each coordinate frame (e.g., Ar and Br). For each reference location, a fiducial grouping is created from the respective position measurements (e.g., (Ar, Br)). The fiducial groupings are used to generate a mapping functionfthat transforms position measurements expressed relative to the second coordinate frame B to the first coordinate frame A. The mapping function f is defined such that a distance between f(Br) and Ar is about zero for each reference location r. Each localization system may also measure position information for a respective fixed reference localization element. Divergence between these fixed reference localization elements in the common coordinate system may be used to monitor, signal, and correct for anomalies such as dislodgement and drift.

The present invention relates to a method and also an imaging system to compensate for patient motion when recording a series of images in medical imaging, in which a number of images of an area under examination of a patient (17) are recorded at intervals with an imaging system (1) and are related to one another. With the method a localization system (2) is used as the series of images are being recorded to permanently or at a time close to the recording of the individual images, record a momentary spatial location of the area under examination in a reference system permanently linked to the imaging system (1), a first spatial location of the area under examination recorded close to the time of recording of a first image is stored, and a deviation of the images recorded momentarily in each case of the first spatial location is determined and by changing the geometrical circumstances of the imaging system (1) at a time to close the recording of the spatial location and / or through geometrical adaptation of an image content of an image just recorded, is at least approximately commentated for, so that the images show the area under examination in the same position and orientation. The method does not require any time-consuming interaction with the operator and is also suitable for compensating for larger movements of the patient.

A patch and sensor assembly has a biosensor housed in a reusable portion that connects to a mapping and localization system (MLS) via biosensor wires. A disposable portion has an electrode layer through which signals are transmitted to the MLS via ACL wires. The biosensor and ACL wires extend through a single cable exiting the reusable portion. The disposable portion includes an adhesive layer for adhering the electrode layer to a foam layer on the electrode layer, and an engagement element for detachably receiving at least a portion of the housing of the reusable portion. The reusable portion includes a housing in which the biosensor has biosensor wires that exit the reusable portion. The housing is also adapted to carry and / or provide support to an ACL contact member responsive to the electrode layer of the disposable portion, and ACL wires that exit the reusable portion.

The invention discloses a parking position visual navigation system based on indoor precise real-time localization, comprising an indoor precise real-time localization system, an indoor wireless communication system, a navigator and a parking lot management server. An automobile driver receives a hand-hold navigator when entering a parking lot or directly enters the parking lot by using an onboard navigator; the indoor precise real-time localization system determines the precise position of the driver according to a localization label arranged in the navigator and transmits the precise position to the parking lot management server by the indoor wireless communication system; the parking lot management server determines the optimal parking position according to the position of the driver and the vacancy situation of the parking lot, and then the optimal parking position navigating route is transmitted to the navigator by the indoor communicating system and is displayed on the screen of the navigator. The invention does not need to install a parking position detector at each parking position and can carry out precise visual navigation on the parking position, thereby ensuring that a parker can quickly and accurately find the parking position. The invention is especially suitable for the management of large-sized parking lots.

To measure an accurate positional relationship between an ultrasonic tag and a microphone and identify a sound source position, even if an object is present between the ultrasonic tag and the microphone. When a radio transmission unit transmits a radio wave, an ultrasonic wave transmission unit of an ultrasonic tag receives it and transmits an ultrasonic wave. Then, a plurality of microphones in an ultrasonic wave reception array unit receive the ultrasonic wave. A propagation time calculation unit calculates a time from when the radio wave is transmitted by the radio transmission unit till when an ultrasonic wave reaches each of the microphones in the ultrasonic wave reception array unit. A position estimation unit calculates the position (sound source) of the ultrasonic tag according to the arrival time at each of the microphones and the result of object detection while considering reflection of the ultrasonic wave.

Method for received signal strength-based direction-of-arrival location estimation for wireless target in an indoor environment is disclosed. The method can use just one DOA sensor node with three antennas, configured substantially in the center of a predetermined confined indoor space. Packet signals can be transmitted by DOA sensor node to the wireless target, and vice versa, where each packet comprising of a fixed sensor node cover range. RSSI values are obtained for the respective RSSI states received from the wireless target at incident angles φ using the triangular antenna array, a 1P2T switch, and a vector signal deconstructor (VSD). A location (θ, φ) of the localized object is calculated using a RSS-based DOA algorithm. A RSS to DOA localization system using the above method is also disclosed.

Systems and methods for bridging packet flows to bypass call legs and / or tunnels are provided. A tunnel initiator, which can be an access gateway, a foreign agent, and a mobility anchor point, for example, provides a bypass for certain packets that have a destination serviced by the same tunnel initiator. The bridge allows the packets to bypass a backhaul loop and reduces latency and frees bandwidth for other purposes in the network. The bridging can be implemented in a tunnel initiator for mobile to mobile packet flows, mobile to land line packet flows, and land line to mobile packet flows. Route optimization can also be provided in certain embodiments.

An interactive holographic display system includes a holographic generation module configured to display a holographically rendered anatomical image. A localization system is configured to define a monitored space on or around the holographically rendered anatomical image. One or more monitored objects have their position and orientation monitored by the localization system such that coincidence of spatial points between the monitored space and the one or more monitored objects triggers a response in the holographically rendered anatomical image.

The invention discloses a cooperative navigation and localization system and method. The cooperative navigation and localization system comprises a sensor data collecting module, an RGB-D image generation module, a kinematic modeling module, a zero-deflection correction module, a position tracking module, a global optimization module and a map storage module. The cooperative navigation and localization system and method have the advantages that the system is provided with four sensors, namely the GPS, the monocular vision sensor, the inertial navigation element and the laser radar, the advantages of the sensors are combined, the precision and the application range of the sensors are improved, the cooperative navigation and localization system can normally work in various complex environments, and the cooperative navigation and localization system and method have the advantages of being quick in localization speed, high in localization precision, high in robustness, wide in application range and the like.

A catheter has single axis sensors mounted directly along a portion of the catheter whose position / location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are on a linear or nonlinear single axis sensor (SAS) assembly. The catheter includes a catheter body and a distal 2D or 3D configuration provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. The magnetic-based sensor assembly may include at least one coil member wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

A needle for a medical procedure includes a shaft with an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal section, and a distal section. The distal section has a conductive tip configured to be a first electrode for voltage measurement. The needle further includes a first electrically insulative outer layer over a portion of the outer surface of the shaft. The conductive tip is adapted for insertion through tissue into, for example, a pericardial space of a patient. A system for determining the location of a needle during a medical procedure includes the needle and an anatomical mapping and localization system electrically coupled to the needle and adapted to measure voltage at the conductive tip. A system for determining tissue thickness during a medical procedure includes the needle, an anatomical mapping and localization system electrically coupled to the needle, and an electrocardiograph operatively coupled to the needle and adapted to monitor electrical activity at the conductive tip and at the second electrode. The needle may include a second electrode.

A vehicle localization system includes a first localization system, a second localization system, and a controller. The first localization system is configured to determine a location of the vehicle using a first set of data. The second localization system is configured to determine a location of the vehicle using a second set of data. The controller is configured to switch from the first localization system to the second localization system when the first set of data is less than a predetermined amount.