The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 22, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 07, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Mark G. Fontenot, Lafayette, LA (US);
Richard Feinberg, Bellingham, WA (US);
Assignee:
Stryker Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B 5/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A61B 5/00 ;
Abstract
An apparatus and method for identifying a body member during a body intrusive procedure includes infrared light energy which is applied to the body member. Substantially visible infrared free light is introduced into the region. The body member is located by detecting the infrared light energy applied thereto. The infrared light energy may be applied to the body member via a light guide which is inserted into or placed in contact with the body member. In addition, a body member to be located may be illuminated from one side and the location of the illuminator detected by a probe on the other side of the body member.