Patient positioning systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods provide patient position information to a user. A patient positioning device is placed on a patient in a predefined location. The patient positioning device determines a relative patient position with respect to at least one known reference axis. The patient positioning device communicates patient position information including or with reference to the at least one known reference axis. The communicated patient position information allows the user to position the patient and/or a surgical tool using the communicated patient position information.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring patient position information, the system comprising:
 a patient mounting system configured to be removably secured to a patient in a predefined location;   a position sensing system including a sensor configured to be coupled to the patient at the predefined location through the patient mounting system and the sensor configured to indicate relative position information based the predefined location as compared to at least one known reference axis;   a communication system configured to communicate the relative position information; and   a display configured to receive the relative position information from the communication system and provide a substantially real-time indication of the relative position of the patient using at least the relative position information.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 :
 further comprising a housing substantially enclosing the position sensing system and configured to be secured to the patient mounting system and wherein communication system includes a wireless communication system configured to communicate the relative position information received from the position sensing system wirelessly from the housing.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the position sensing system is configured to map an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis to an orientation relative to gravity and indicate the relative position of the patient based the predefined location as compared to the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 :
 wherein the position sensing system is configured to measure rotational acceleration around at least one of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the patient mounting system is configured to engage on the small back of the patient.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the sensor system includes at least one of an accelerometer, an gyroscope, and a magnetometer.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the display is configured to provide a substantially real-time feedback display including a graphical representation of the patient.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 :
 wherein the position sensing system includes a sensor configured to receive an external reference for determining rotation about a gravitational axis   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 :
 wherein the sensor is configured to detect a lateral acceleration imparted by an impulse device and configured to provide a pulsatile motion, and wherein one of the sensor and the position sensing system is configured to differentiate true special orientation around the gravity vector based on the pulsatile motion.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 :
 wherein the sensor is configured to detect an electromagnetic field generated by a broadcast or magnetic device, and wherein one of the sensor and the position sensing system is configured to differentiate true special orientation around the gravity vector based on the electromagnetic field.