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:
Nov. 27, 2007
Filed:
Nov. 25, 1996
John D. Schellenberg, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);
John D. Schellenberg, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);
Z-Kat, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL (US);
Biomet Manufacturing Corp., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
A tool for use with a surgical navigation system includes a plurality of LEDs mounted to the distal end of the tool. The LED's provide an indication of the direction in which the tool must be moved to reach a desired position. Four LED's mounted along perpendicular axes are provided. Modes for indicating the desired location, orientation, rotation, and depth are provided. A mode indicator may also be provided. The tool is designed for use with a surgical navigation system which includes an infrared localizer and computer system. The indicators assist the surgeon in positioning the surgical tool in relation to the patient. Indicators other than LEDs may be used; the indicators may also be mounted in alternate locations in the operating room environment.