INTEGRATED MEDICAL TRACKING SYSTEM
A medical tracking system includes a tracking unit including an image recording and image signal processing system, and a programmable computer platform integrated with the tracking unit. The programmable computer platform includes a navigation unit configured to implement at least part of medical navigation.
1 . A medical tracking system, comprising:
a tracking unit including an image recording and image signal processing system, and
a programmable computer platform integrated with the tracking unit, wherein the programmable computer platform includes at least a part of a medical navigation unit.
2 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , wherein the image recording and image signal processing system and the programmable computer platform are formed as a single assembly.
3 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , wherein the tracking unit and the programmable computer platform are arranged in a common casing.
4 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , further comprising a multi-purpose broadband interface for data transfer with instruments or devices utilized during navigation.
5 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , further comprising a mass storage device.
6 . The tracking system according to claim 5 , wherein the mass storage device is a removable mass storage device.
7 . The tracking system according to claim 5 , wherein the mass storage device is a hard drive.
8 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , further comprising a remote control device communicatively coupled to the tracking system, said remote control device operative to provide a user interface for the tracking unit and/or the programmable computer platform.
9 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , further comprising a graphical user interface or display device coupled to the tracking system.
10 . The tracking system according to claim 11 , wherein the graphical user interface and/or display device are communicatively coupled to the tracking system via a wireless connection.
11 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , comprising at least one of:
a marker illumination device for the operating field; or
a control interface for controlling the tracking system.
12 . The tracking system according to claim 1 , wherein the programmable computer platform is configured to perform at least one of:
a synchronous image acquisition function;
an image processing function;
a marker identification and/or tracking function;
an instrument identification and/or tracking function;
a storage function;
a remote login function;
a function for graphically visualizing and/or graphically superimposing instruments or instrument shapes;
a function for implementing or performing or assisting application-specific tasks.
13 . The tracking system according to claim 12 , wherein the storage function includes storage of at least one of application-specific information, patient information, updatable tracking system operational information (updates) or information concerning medical apparatus, instruments or devices.