Patent ID: 8739801
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for identifying a landmark, the system comprising: a. a field generator for generating a magnetic field; b. an orthopaedic implant configured to be placed within the magnetic field, the orthopaedic implant having at least one landmark, a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the orthopaedic implant defining: i. a cannulation that extends along the longitudinal axis and ii. a longitudinal groove that is at least partially offset from the cannulation, the longitudinal groove extending along the longitudinal axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; c. a first magnetic sensor configured to be placed in the distal end portion of the longitudinal groove and spaced apart from the at least one landmark a set distance; d. a landmark identifier that includes (i) a drill guide configured to receive a drill bit and (ii) a second magnetic sensor that is attached at a fixed position with respect to the drill guide and is configured to move with the drill guide; and e. configured to compare sensor data from the first and second magnetic sensors and use the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark.