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:
Oct. 21, 2014
Filed:
Mar. 10, 2010
Kristin D. Johnson, Louisville, CO (US);
Christopher A. Valentine, Boulder, CO (US);
Scott F. Alexander, Westminster, CO (US);
Ronald J. Podhajsky, Boudler, CO (US);
Kristin D. Johnson, Louisville, CO (US);
Christopher A. Valentine, Boulder, CO (US);
Scott F. Alexander, Westminster, CO (US);
Ronald J. Podhajsky, Boudler, CO (US);
Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US);
Abstract
A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.