Magnetic field digitizer for stereotactic surgery

A locating device for use with a stereotactic device comprising:

• electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises:
• electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;
• an electromagnetic transmitter receiver means for receiving electromagnetic energy;
• magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;
• computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and for correcting error associated with said position signal, and having an input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input, and a display output and
• display means for receiving said transmitted scan lines and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means;
• and
• an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating mean and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field.

A locating device for use with a stereotatic device comprising:

• electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises:
• electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;
• an electromagnetic receiver mean for receiving electromagnetic energy;
• magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;
• computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and for computing a midpoint reference base upon at least three reference positions and at least three points on scan images, each point associated with the position of an associated said reference position;
• and having an input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input and a display output;
• and
• display means for receiving said transmitted scan image and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means;
• and
• an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field.

A locating device for use with a stereotatic device comprising:

• electromagnetic position indicating means for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises:
• electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;
• an electromagnetic receiver means for receiving electromagnetic energy;
• magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;
• computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and for correcting error associated with a position of said electromagnetic receiver means;
• and having an input connected to said second input of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input, and a display output;
• and
• display means for receiving said transmitted scan image and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means;
• and
• an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field.

A locating device for use with a stereotactic device comprising:

• electromagnetic position indicating mean for generating an output position signal identifying the location of a reference position with respect to a surgical field, and wherein said electromagnetic position indicating means further comprises:
• electromagnetic transmitter means for transmitting electromagnetic energy;
• an electromagnetic receiver means for receiving electromagnetic energy;
• magnetic field digitization means having an input connected to said electromagnetic receiver means, a first output connected to said electromagnetic transmitter means, and a second output for outputting a position signal;
• computer means for identifying and transmitting a scan image associated with the position of said reference position and having and input connected to said second output of said magnetic field digitization means, a data input, and a display output;
• and
• display means for receiving said transmitted scan image and displaying said scan image and having an input connected to said display output of said computer means;
• an imaging scan display system having an input connected to receive said output position signal from said electromagnetic position indicating means and adapted to display a scan image associated with a three dimensional position of said reference position in said surgical field;
• and
• calibration means for providing a spatial position reference for said electromagnetic receiver means.