1. A system for targeting an operation site, comprising:
an identifier having an electromagnetic field generator configured to produce electromagnetic fields;
an implement comprising a handle, a blade portion, and an electromagnetic field sensor coupled to the blade portion, the electromagnetic field sensor being configured to produce a signal responsive to electromagnetic fields produced by the electromagnetic field generator; and
a control unit configured to
access information indicating a position of the electromagnetic field sensor relative to the operation site,
receive a signal from the electromagnetic field sensor that is indicative of a position of a tool relative to the electromagnetic field sensor, and
determine a position of the tool relative to an operation site based on the received signal and the position of the electromagnetic field sensor relative to the operation site.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to:
compare a position of the tool to an acceptable range of axes for drilling to the operation site; and
determine, based on the comparison, that the position of the tool relative to the operation site corresponds to an acceptable position within the range of axes for drilling to the operation site.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is further configured to output on a graphical user interface an indication that the position of the tool relative to the operation site is acceptable.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein to compare a position of the tool to an acceptable range of axes for drilling to the operation site, the control unit is configured to compare the position of the tool to a range of axes for drilling through the ilium to reach an acetabular operation site.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to:
determine a distance between a tip of the tool and the operation site based on the received signal; and
output, on a user interface, the determined distance.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to:
identify a plurality of linear paths that extend to the operation site through the pelvis and satisfy one or more predetermined criteria for acceptability; and
output information that identifies the plurality of linear paths.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic field sensor is removably coupled to the implement, and wherein the implement defines a channel configured to receive the electromagnetic field sensor.
8. A surgical implement comprising:
a handle;
a blade portion coupled to the handle, the blade portion comprising a curved portion; and
an electromagnetic field sensor removably coupled to the blade portion,
the implement defining a channel that extends through a portion of the blade portion and is configured to receive the electromagnetic field sensor, the blade portion including a transparent or translucent portion near the channel.
9. The surgical implement of claim 8, wherein the implement comprises a landmark located at a known position of the blade portion.
10. The surgical implement of claim 8, wherein the electromagnetic field sensor is coupleable at any of a plurality of predefined positions within the channel.
11. The surgical implement of claim 10, wherein the surgical implement comprises a plurality of landmarks, each of the plurality of landmarks corresponding to one of the plurality of predefined positions within the channel, the landmarks being visible at an exterior surface of the surgical implement.
12. The surgical implement of claim 8, wherein the blade portion includes a concave section.
13. The surgical implement of claim 8, wherein the blade portion is shaped to conform to a femoral head.
14. A method of targeting an operation site, the method comprising:
identifying an operation site;
positioning a blade portion of an implement at the operation site, the implement comprising an electromagnetic field sensor, the electromagnetic field sensor being positioned at a known position relative to the operation site;
locating the operation site using an identifier, the identifier having an electromagnetic field generator, and the electromagnetic field sensor communicating with the electromagnetic field generator when locating the operation site; and
targeting the operation site using the position of the electromagnetic field sensor.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the operation site is an acetabular operation site and positioning the blade portion of the implement comprises positioning the blade portion between an acetabulum and a femoral head.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the acetabular operation site is a portion of one of the acetabulum, acetabular cartilage, or labral cartilage.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning an implement between an acetabulum and a femoral head comprises positioning the electromagnetic field sensor of the implement between the acetabulum and the femoral head.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein targeting an acetabular operation site comprises orienting an axis for drilling that extends through a portion of the ilium and the operation site.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning the implement comprises positioning a landmark of the implement at a known position relative to the operation site, the position of the landmark being known relative to the position of the electromagnetic field sensor, and
wherein targeting the operation site comprises targeting the operation site using the position of the electromagnetic field sensor and the position of the landmark.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein targeting an operation site comprises:
identifying a plurality of paths to the operation site, each path extending linearly between the operation site and a different point on the surface of a tissue surrounding the operation site; and
selecting, from the plurality of paths, a particular path to use as an axis for drilling that minimizes disturbance of tissue surrounding the operation site.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is Claimed is:
1. A lamp unit for use with digital micromirror devices comprising:
a direct current short arc discharge lamp having an anode and a cathode and in which mercury is sealed; and
a short focal length, elliptical reflector mirror having a front opening and that both covers the discharge lamp and positions an axis of radiation roughly in line with a long axis of the discharge lamp;
wherein the short arc discharge lamp is positioned with the cathode in the front opening of the reflector mirror.
2. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the mercury is sealed in the direct current short arc discharge lamp is in an amount equal to at least 0.15 mgmm3.