Patent ID: 6216029
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for free-hand directing of a needle towards a target located in a body volume, the method comprising the steps of:producing an image of said target and said body volume from an imaging detector;transmitting said image produced by said imaging detector to a display screen which communicates with a position sensing controller;sensing spatial orientation data of said imaging detector with respect to a reference;transmitting said spatial orientation data of said imaging detector to said position sensing controller;determining the position of said image in accordance with said spatial orientation data of said imaging detector;placing said needle with at least a portion thereof substantially pointing at said target;sensing spatial orientation data of said needle with respect to said reference;transmitting said spatial orientation data of said needle to said position sensing controller;causing said position sensing controller, based on said spatial orientation data of said imaging detector and of said needle, to indicate on said display screen at least one of the trajectory or the position of at least a portion of said needle with respect to said displayed image of said body volume.