Patent ID: 7540866

Claim:
An interface for controlling a navigation system that orients the distal end of an elongate medical device in a selected direction in an operating region and moves the distal end of the medical device in the operating region, the interface comprising: a display device that displays a three-dimensional view of an operating region that includes a representation of the distal end of the medical device in the operating region; a display control pane that is selectable for selectively displaying a projection of a reticle on the three-dimensional view at a starting point, the reticle comprising a series of concentric rings having a center positioned at the distal end of the representation of the medical device; a position adjustment control for moving the displayed reticle and the displayed representation of the distal end of the medical device relative to the three-dimensional view, where the position adjustment control moves the displayed reticle and distal end of the medical device along a line of predetermined orientation from the starting point to a destination point, to provide a displayed representation of a desired position for moving the distal end of the medical device towards; an interface control for determining control variables for the navigation system to orient the distal end of the medical device in an orientation to conform to the displayed representation of the reticle and desired position for the distal end of the medical device.