US5868673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for carrying out surgery, biopsy and ablation of a tumor or other physical anomaly
Assignee: Sonometrics Corp
•
Filing: 1997-03-11
•
Granted: 1999-02-09
•
Expires: 2017-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for carrying out surgery on a bodily structure (e.g., breast and liver) with greater precision, accuracy, comfort and minimal invasiveness. A 3-dimensional tracking and imaging system (1000) is used to obtain an accurate position of an instrument as it is maneuvered by an operator, and to mark a location on the subject bodily structure. The system is particularly advantageous for surgical procedures for biopsying and destroying tumors in bodily structures which are easily deformable.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivan Vesely
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287; A61B34/00; A61B34/20; A61B5/06; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0833; A61B8/42; A61B8/4245; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; A61B90/00; A61B90/10; A61B90/14; A61B90/17; A61B90/36; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H5/00; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/14; G01S15/00; G01S15/66; G01S15/87; G01S15/876; G01S15/88; G01S5/00; G01S5/18; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206; G01S7/52074; G01S7/56; G01S7/62; G01S7/6245; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B34/10; A61B2034/107; A61B2034/2046; A61B2034/2051; A61B2034/2063; A61B2034/2072; A61B2090/363; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3904; A61B2090/3908; A61B2090/3925; A61B2090/3929; A61B2090/3954; A61B2090/3958; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/04; A61B2560/0443; A61B2560/045; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043; A61B5/45; A61B5/4519; A61B5/4528; A61B8/12; A61B8/4209; A61B8/4236; A61B90/11; A61M2025/0166; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/101; G01S15/86; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/899; G01S15/8993; G01S7/52003; G01S7/52079; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions relative to a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a beacon transducer means at the location of a tumor by displaying the position of the beacon transducer means within the 3-dimensional scene; fixing the beacon transducer means at the location of the tumor to identify the location thereof; and locating a first instrument means at the location of the tumor by displaying the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and beacon transducer means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions relative to a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a beacon transducer means at the location of a tumor by displaying the position of the beacon transducer means within the 3-dimensional scene; fixing the beacon transducer means at the location of the tumor to identify the location thereof; and locating a first instrument means at the location of the tumor by displaying the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and beacon transducer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions includes the step of mounting a plurality of transducer means to the surface of a breast.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions includes the step of mounting a plurality of transducer means to the external surface of a solid organ.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining a template image includes obtaining a mammogram.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining a template image includes obtaining a radiological image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of locating the beacon transducer means at the location of the tumor includes the steps of: attaching the beacon transducer means to a second instrument means; moving the second instrument means to the location of the tumor; detaching the beacon transducer means from the second instrument means; and fixing the beacon transducer means at the location of the tumor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: a plurality of reference transducer means located at fixed positions on the bodily structure to provide a reference frame; means for obtaining a template image of a bodily structure; registration means for registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; display means for displaying the 3-dimensional scene of the bodily structure; first instrument means for fixing the location of a beacon transducer means at the site of a tumor to identify the location of the tumor; and second instrument means for performing a surgical procedure at the site of the tumor, wherein the second instrument means has a transducer means for indicating the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and the location of the beacon transducer means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: a plurality of reference transducer means located at fixed positions on the bodily structure to provide a reference frame; means for obtaining a template image of a bodily structure; registration means for registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; display means for displaying the 3-dimensional scene of the bodily structure; first instrument means for fixing the location of a beacon transducer means at the site of a tumor to identify the location of the tumor; and second instrument means for performing a surgical procedure at the site of the tumor, wherein the second instrument means has a transducer means for indicating the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and the location of the beacon transducer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said fixed positions are on the surface of a breast.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said fixed positions are on the external surface of a solid organ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said template image is a mammogram.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said template image is a radiological image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said first instrument means includes means for separating said beacon transducer means from said first instrument means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of reference transducer means comprises: a transducer device; and support means for supporting the transducer device, said support means including an adhesive for affixing the reference transducer means to the fixed position on the bodily structure and a gel for acoustic coupling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 13, wherein said transducer device includes a piezoelectric material transducer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions on a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a trackable sleeve means at a location of the tumor by displaying the position of the sleeve means within the 3-dimensional scene; and locating a first instrument means at the location of the tumor by positioning the first instrument means within the sleeve means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions on a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a trackable sleeve means at a location of the tumor by displaying the position of the sleeve means within the 3-dimensional scene; and locating a first instrument means at the location of the tumor by positioning the first instrument means within the sleeve means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of mounting a plurality of transducer means to fixed positions includes the step of mounting a plurality of transducer means to a solid organ under laparoscopic guidance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said template image is a 2-dimensional ultrasound image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said method further comprises the step of displaying a reference mark in the 3-dimensional scene, at the location of the tumor to facilitate locating the trackable sleeve means at the location of the tumor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the method further includes the step of removing the trackable sleeve from the first instrument means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for carrying out surgery on an anomaly in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: a plurality of reference transducer means mounted at fixed positions on a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; means for obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registration means for registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; trackable sleeve means locatable relative to an associated anomaly to identify a location of a associated anomaly; display means adapted for displaying the position of the trackable sleeve means within the 3-dimensional scene to locate the sleeve means at the location of the associated anomaly; and first instrument means adapted for performing a surgical procedure at the location of the associated anomaly, the first instrument means located at the location of the associated anomaly by positioning the first instrument means within the sleeve means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for carrying out surgery on an anomaly in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: a plurality of reference transducer means mounted at fixed positions on a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; means for obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registration means for registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; trackable sleeve means locatable relative to an associated anomaly to identify a location of a associated anomaly; display means adapted for displaying the position of the trackable sleeve means within the 3-dimensional scene to locate the sleeve means at the location of the associated anomaly; and first instrument means adapted for performing a surgical procedure at the location of the associated anomaly, the first instrument means located at the location of the associated anomaly by positioning the first instrument means within the sleeve means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said fixed positions are located on an external surface of a solid organ.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said template image is a 2-dimensional ultrasound image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said system further comprises means for displaying a reference mark in the 3-dimensional scene at the location of the associated anomaly to facilitate locating the trackable sleeve means at the location of the associated anomaly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said first instrument means is a cryoprobe.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to a solid organ to provide a reference frame defining the position of the solid organ; obtaining a template image of a bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a trackable instrument means at the location of a tumor by displaying the position of the trackable instrument means within the 3-dimensional scene; arranging a sleeve means over the trackable instrument means; removing the trackable instrument means from the sleeve means; and inserting a second instrument means into the sleeve means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to a solid organ to provide a reference frame defining the position of the solid organ; obtaining a template image of a bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a trackable instrument means at the location of a tumor by displaying the position of the trackable instrument means within the 3-dimensional scene; arranging a sleeve means over the trackable instrument means; removing the trackable instrument means from the sleeve means; and inserting a second instrument means into the sleeve means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 25, wherein said step of inserting a second instrument means into the trackable sleeve means includes inserting an ablation means into the trackable sleeve means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
192 words
A system for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: a plurality of reference transducer means located at fixed positions on the bodily structure to provide a reference frame, wherein said plurality of reference transducer means include: a transducer device, and support means for supporting the transducer device, said support means including an adhesive for affixing the transducer device to the fixed position on the bodily structure and a gel for acoustic coupling; means for obtaining a template image of a bodily structure; registration means for registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; display means for displaying the 3-dimensional scene of the bodily structure; first instrument means for fixing the location of a beacon transducer means at the site of a tumor to identify the location of the tumor; and second instrument means for performing a surgical procedure at the site of the tumor, wherein the second instrument means has a transducer means for indicating the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and the location of the beacon transducer means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
192 words
A system for carrying out surgery on a tumor in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: a plurality of reference transducer means located at fixed positions on the bodily structure to provide a reference frame, wherein said plurality of reference transducer means include: a transducer device, and support means for supporting the transducer device, said support means including an adhesive for affixing the transducer device to the fixed position on the bodily structure and a gel for acoustic coupling; means for obtaining a template image of a bodily structure; registration means for registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; display means for displaying the 3-dimensional scene of the bodily structure; first instrument means for fixing the location of a beacon transducer means at the site of a tumor to identify the location of the tumor; and second instrument means for performing a surgical procedure at the site of the tumor, wherein the second instrument means has a transducer means for indicating the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and the location of the beacon transducer means.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a physical anomaly in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions relative to a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a beacon transducer means at the location of a physical anomaly by displaying the position of the beacon transducer means within the 3-dimensional scene; fixing the beacon transducer means at the location of the physical anomaly to identify the location thereof; and locating a first instrument means at the location of the physical anomaly by displaying the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and beacon transducer means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for carrying out surgery on a physical anomaly in a bodily structure for the purpose of biopsy or ablation, comprising: mounting a plurality of reference transducer means to fixed positions relative to a bodily structure to provide a reference frame; obtaining a template image of the bodily structure; registering the reference frame with the template image to obtain a 3-dimensional scene; locating a beacon transducer means at the location of a physical anomaly by displaying the position of the beacon transducer means within the 3-dimensional scene; fixing the beacon transducer means at the location of the physical anomaly to identify the location thereof; and locating a first instrument means at the location of the physical anomaly by displaying the position of the first instrument means relative to the reference frame and beacon transducer means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |