Hybrid tracking system utilizing combined LED and magnetoresistance sensors

1. A combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor comprising:

at least one magnetoresistance sensor; and

at least one light emitting diode (LED);

wherein the magnetoresistance sensor and the LED are integrated into a single package; and

wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor comprises:

an insulating substrate;

an alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material deposited on a surface of the insulating substrate; and

a bias magnet material deposited over the alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material.

2. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor and the at least one LED are fabricated as separate semiconductor integrated circuits and are bonded together.

3. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein a non-active layer of the at least one magnetoresistance sensor and a non-active layer of the at least one LED are bonded together with an epoxy.

4. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor and the at least one LED are fabricated as a single semiconductor integrated circuit.

5. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the bias magnet material subjects the semiconductor material to a magnetic field.

6. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 5 , wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor provides a signal in response to a strength and a direction of the magnetic field.

7. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 5 , wherein the magnetic field increases the resistance of the at least one magnetoresistance sensor.

8. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one LED comprises:

a substrate;

a p-doped region;

an n-doped region; and

an activation layer deposited between the p-doped region and the n-doped region;

wherein either the p-doped region or the n-doped region is adjacent to the substrate.

9. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor is configured to provide a signal in response to an applied magnetic field and the at least one LED is configured to emit a signal in response to an applied voltage.

10. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor and the at least one LED are mounted within a reflector cup.

11. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetoresistance sensor and the at least one LED are encapsulated within an encapsulating lens.

12. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor of claim 1 , further comprising at least two leads extending from the at least one magnetoresistance sensor and the at least one LED.

13. A hybrid tracking system comprising:

at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object for generating an electromagnetic field and creating a tracking volume in a surgical field;

at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor associated with an object being tracked in the tracking volume within the surgical field; and

at least one processor coupled to the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor, wherein the at least one processor is capable of processing signals from the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor.

14. The hybrid tracking system of claim 13 , further comprising at least one optical tracking technology device and at least one electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology device.

15. The hybrid tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor includes at least one LED and at least one magnetoresistance sensor integrated into a single package.

16. The hybrid tracking system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor includes at least one LED and at least one magnetoresistance sensor integrated into a single package.

17. A hybrid tracking system utilizing at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor, the hybrid tracking system comprising:

at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object for generating an electromagnetic field and creating a tracking volume in a surgical field;

at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked in the tracking volume within the surgical field;

at least one optical tracking technology device including a camera system to sense light emitted by a LED;

at least one EM tracking technology device including an EM transmitter for generating an electromagnetic field; and

at least one processor coupled to the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor, wherein the at least one processor is capable of processing signals from the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor.

18. The hybrid tracking system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor includes at least one LED and at least one magnetoresistance sensor integrated into a single package.

19. The hybrid tracking system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor includes at least one LED and at least one magnetoresistance sensor integrated into a single package.