System and method for identifying a landmark

A system for targeting a landmark, comprising:

• a medical implant having a landmark, the medical implant defining a groove;
• a processor;
• a magnetic field sensor;
• a landmark identifier;
• a field generator for generating a magnetic field;
• and
• a second sensor for sensing a position of an element relative to the landmark identifier when the element is received in the landmark identifier;
• the system configured such that with the magnetic field sensor located in the groove and oriented in a predetermined position relative to the landmark, the system can be utilized to guide the placement of the landmark identifier relative to the landmark, and
• wherein the system is configured to generate data from the second sensor while the element is received in the landmark identifier, and the processor is configured to use the generated data from the second sensor to determine a depth of insertion of the element into bone.

A system for targeting a landmark, comprising:

• a medical implant having a landmark;
• a magnetic field sensor;
• a landmark identifier;
• a field generator for generating a magnetic field;
• and
• one or more processing devices configured to determine a distance of the landmark identifier relative to the medical implant and output data for visual representations of the medical implant;
• the system configured such that with the magnetic field sensor oriented in a predetermined position relative to the landmark, the system can be utilized to guide locating of the landmark identifier relative to the landmark;
• the one or more processing devices being configured to switch, based on a distance of the landmark identifier to the medical implant, between (i) providing data for a zoomed-in view of the medical implant and (ii) providing data for a zoomed-out view of the medical implant.

A system for targeting a landmark, comprising:

• a medical implant having a landmark, the medical implant defining a groove;
• a magnetic field sensor;
• a landmark identifier;
• a field generator for generating a magnetic field;
• and
• a second sensor for sensing a position of an element relative to the landmark identifier when the element is received in the landmark identifier;
• the system configured such that with the magnetic field sensor located in the groove and oriented in a predetermined position relative to the landmark, the system can be utilized to guide the placement of the landmark identifier relative to the landmark, and
• the system configured such that with the element received in the landmark identifier, data from the second sensor can be utilized to determine a depth of insertion of the element into bone,
• wherein the second sensor is located to sense one or more indicators associated with the element as the element moves relative to the landmark identifier, and
• wherein the element is a drill bit, and the indicators are markings on the drill bit.