Miniaturized Sensors for IntraBody Navigation and Localization

Locating medical instruments in 3D space is a key requirement for image-guided procedures.

With that knowledge, clinicians can display an overlay of instrument coordinates onto pre-operative scans or real-time images. They also can guide tools to anatomical targets for intervention and delivery of therapeutic agents. Combined with imaging modalities, the tracker lets clinicians "see" through the patient for internal guidance and navigation.

Because targeting devices must function within the human body and be metal tolerant, there is an emerging need for new tracking technology. It must be accurate, unobtrusive and unaffected by line-of-sight or environmental issues.

microBIRD is a new motion tracker that meets these requirements. Features include 6 DOF DC magnetic tracker with a sensor diameter of just 1.3 mm or 1.8 mm - small enough for insertion into 7 French catheters. It also offers conductive metal immunity. microBIRD provides precise, instantaneous tip localization of biomedical instruments.

Designed primarily for medical device manufacturers, microBIRD may not be incorporated into a customer's medical systems until all pertinent FDA and other regulatory approvals are attained.

APPLICATIONS

Intra-body navigation
Computer-assisted procedures
RF ablation
Image-guided intervention and therapies
Robotically-controlled surgery
3D Ultrasound
Electrophysiology
Brachytherapy
Telerobotics and telesurgery

FEATURES & BENEFITS

6DOF Tracking:

Full six degrees-of-freedom localizer - a hard requirement for needle-guided procedures. Roll angle is always measured without increasing sensor size.

Advanced New Tracking Technology for Precise Measurements:

New signal processing electronics and improved sensor technology provide excellent tracking stability and better than 1.5mm accuracy. Multiple transmitter options, metal detection and noise reduction tools make sure that environmental factors do not affect the tracking accuracy. Measurements highly repeatable for re-positioning purposes.

Metal Tolerance:

No distortion due to the proximity of conductive metals, such as 300-series stainless steel and titanium - common metals present in surgical tools and equipment.

No Occlusions:

microBIRD transmits position and orientation data over a full range of movement even when sensors are embedded in instruments or the human body. No occlusion or line of sight restrictions.

3D Tracking without Ionizing Radiation:

Real-time guidance of instruments and delivery devices without radiation exposure or reliance on 2D X-ray imaging. microBIRD offers a new option when radiation techniques are not acceptable, such as radio-frequency ablation cases.

Affordability:

microBIRD is available now at a fraction the cost of competing trackers for medical imaging. Sensors are configurable for reposibility and disposability

System Configuration:

6DOF Miniaturized Sensors: 1.8 mm Diameter x 8.5 mm Length
Electronics Unit on PCI-bus card
DC Magnetic Field Transmitter
Customization Options

SPECIFICATIONS

Degrees of Freedom: 6 (Position and Orientation)

Translation Range: 20 cm min to 71 cm max X, ± 30 cm Y,Z. Forward hemisphere

Angular Range: All Attitude: ± 180° Azimuth & Roll; ±90° Elevation

Static Accuracy: 1.4 mm RMS position, 0.3 degree RMS angular

Static Resolution Position: 0.05 mm at 30.5 cm

Static Resolution Orientation: 0.1° @ 30.5 cm

Update Rate: Up to 90 measurements/second

Outputs: X,Y,Z positional coordinates, orientation angle, or orientation matrix

Interface: PCI v.2.1 compliant. Requires disc drive power connector to meet power needs

Data Format: Binary data records

Communication: Windows API

Sensors:

Sensor max OD 1.3 mm or 1.8 mm
Sensor max length 8.4 mm
Cable length 2 meters
Ascension Medi-Mag cable, USP class 6 jacket material
Cable 0.9 mm max OD
USP class 6 epoxy sensor housing
USP 6 polyester protective wrap (bare sensor only)
Maximum temperature 150°C
Sensor assembly and cable materials are EtO, gamma, and cold sterilant tolerant
Semiconductor devices in connector are not gamma shielded and may be damaged or erased if exposed to Gamma radiation

PCI Card: Standard full-length board (312 mm x 107 mm)

Power: +12V at 1.85 amps nominal standard transmitter, 2.5A max +5V, 2A nominal

Operating Temp: 15° C to 35° C; 95% non-condensing humidity

Environment: Metal objects and stray magnetic fields in the operation volume may degrade performance. Contact us for available tools and configurations to mitigate such effects.

Warm-up: System requires 5-minute warm-up for full accuracy

The microBIRD includes the following:

1 Electronics Unit on PCI CARD (Up to 2 Sensors per Card)
1 Mid-Range Transmitter
1 Minaturized 6DOF Sensor (Up to 2 per Card) with 6 ft. (1.8 m) Cable
1 External Power Supply with Cables (One per Electronics Unit)
1 Interface Software Module
1 winBIRD Windows Software
1 Installation & Operation Guide
1 Year Warranty

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