# US 12,004,894 B2 · Marker and signal device for indicating the presence of a laser

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- Number: US 12,004,894 B2
- Document ID: US12004894B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/651,939
- Filed: 2022-02-22
- Published: 2022-09-22
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2021-03-16
- Applicants: Grant Michael Schmidt; Richard George Schmidt
- Inventors: Grant Michael Schmidt; Richard George Schmidt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004894B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/547: {involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device}
- A61B 6/0492: {using markers or indicia for aiding patient positioning}
- A61B 6/4441: {the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to the positioning of a laser emitted by a medical device, such as a C-arm X-ray machine. A marker is, in use, positioned on a patient's body, and includes at least one sensor that senses the presence of the laser. A signal emitter is operably coupled to the marker and emits an observable signal, such as a colored light, when the at least one sensor is struck by the laser.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A marker and signal device for positioning a laser, the device comprising:
a marker configured be positioned on a body of a patient, the marker comprising at least one sensor operable to selectively sense when the laser is pointed on the marker; and
a signal emitter operably coupled with the marker and configured to emit an observable signal when the one or more sensors senses the laser on the marker, wherein the signal emitter comprises one or more lights, and wherein the marker comprises a center point, and the signal emitter is configured to selectively emit, as the observable signal, a first color light when the laser is not pointed on the marker, a second color light when the laser is pointed on the marker away from the center point, and a third color light when the laser is pointed on the center point.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The marker and signal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a plurality of sensors, and a position of the laser on the marker is at least partially determined by which sensor is struck.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The marker and signal device of claim 1, wherein the signal emitter is configured to be positioned on the body of the patient and spaced from the marker.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The marker and signal device of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises a diffuser material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The marker and signal device of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises a fiber optic cable.