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An apparatus for determining the position of a wireless catheter probe being used during a surgical procedure. Magnetic fields are projected into an anatomical body to induce voltage signals in a sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the position of a wireless sensor/transmitter. The voltage

An apparatus for determining the position of a wireless catheter probe being used during a surgical procedure. Magnetic fields are projected into an anatomical body to induce voltage signals in a sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the position of a wireless sensor/transmitter. The voltage signals are wirelessly re-transmitted by the sensor/transmitter as positional signals indicative of a current location of the sensor/transmitter in the anatomical body. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless catheter probe is self-powered using the induced voltage signals on a sensing coil. In another embodiment, induced voltage signals of a separate coil are used to power the device.

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What is claimed is: 1. A surgical navigation apparatus for use during a surgical procedure with an anatomical body, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: a signal generator operable to transmit signals from a site remote from the anatomical body; and a first wireless sensor/transmitter ada

What is claimed is: 1. A surgical navigation apparatus for use during a surgical procedure with an anatomical body, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: a signal generator operable to transmit signals from a site remote from the anatomical body; and a first wireless sensor/transmitter adapted to be positioned relative to the anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive the signals from said signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said signals transmitted by said signal generator include reference signals and power signals, wherein said reference signals are used to identify position of said first wireless sensor/transmitter and said power signals are used to power said first wireless sensor/transmitter. 2. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said information signals are orientation and position signals indicative of a current orientation and location of said first wireless sensor/transmitter. 3. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising a second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to be attached to a structure within the anatomical body and operable to receive the signals from said signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure. 4. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said structure is an organ or a tissue. 5. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said information signals from said second wireless sensor/transmitter are position signals indicative of movement of a structure within the anatomical body. 6. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 3 further wherein said information signals are sensed signals indicative of a sensed measurement within said anatomical body. 7. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensed signals are temperature signals at a portion of the anatomical body. 8. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter further includes a battery operable to power said first wireless sensor/transmitter. 9. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a surgical instrument, wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter is attached to said surgical instrument. 10. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said surgical instrument is a catheter or an endoscope. 11. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter is operable to track the movement of a structure within the anatomical body. 12. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said information signals are movement signals indicative of movement of a structure within the anatomical body. 13. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitted information are temperature signals of a portion of the anatomical body. 14. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter further includes a coil operable to receive a signal from said signal generator to induce a voltage sufficient to power said first wireless sensor/transmitter. 15. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said coil is both a sensing coil operable to sense said signals from said signal generator and a power coil operable to generate a voltage sufficient to power said first wireless sensor/transmitter. 16. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal generator is operable to transmit signals of a type selected from a group comprising RF signals, magnetic field signals, and optical signals. 17. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter is operable to receive and wirelessly transmit signals of a type selected from a group comprising RE signals, digital RF signals, magnetic field signals, optical signals, and a combination thereof. 18. A surgical navigation apparatus for use during a surgical procedure within an anatomical body, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: a signal generator operable to transmit signals into the anatomical body from a site remote from the anatomical body; and a first wireless sensor/transmitter adapted to be positioned within the anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive the signals from said signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said information signals are orientation signals indicative of a current orientation of said first wireless sensor/transmitter. 19. A surgical navigation apparatus for use during a surgical procedure with an anatomical body, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: a signal generator operable to transmit signals from a site remote from the anatomical body; and a first wireless sensor/transmitter adapted to be positioned in the anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive the signals from said signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter is operable to track the movement of a structure within the anatomical body; wherein said structure is an organ or a tissue. 20. A surgical navigation apparatus for use during a surgical procedure with an anatomical body, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: a signal generator operable to transmit signals from a site remote from the anatomical body; a first wireless sensor/transmitter adapted to be positioned in the anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive the signals from said signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; a receiver for receiving positional signals from said first wireless sensor/transmitter; a processor for computing a position of said wireless sensor/transmitter; and a circuit associated with said processor for outputting position image information to a display device. 21. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said receiver is adapted to receive signals transmitted by said first wireless sensor/transmitter of a type selected from a group comprising RF signals, digital RF signals, magnetic field signals, and optical signals. 22. A surgical navigation apparatus for use during a surgical procedure with an anatomical body, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: a signal generator operable to transmit signals from a site remote from the anatomical body; and a first wireless sensor/transmitter adapted to be positioned relative to the anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive the signals from said signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter includes a DSP operable to process and compress the information signals to be transmitted. 23. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said wireless sensor/transmitter is operable to track the movement of a structure within the anatomical body; wherein said structure is an organ or a tissue. 24. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said information signals are signals sensed from the anatomical body. 25. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 wherein the first portion is operable to receive reference signals from the signal generator and said second portion is operable to wirelessly transmit the reference signals as positional signals indicative of a current position of said wireless sensor/transmitter. 26. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 25 wherein said positional signals are signals representing an orientation of said wireless sensor/transmitter. 27. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 26 wherein said positional signals are signals representing the orientation and position of said wireless sensor/transmitter. 28. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 further comprising a battery operable to power said wireless sensor/transmitter. 29. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 further comprising a surgical instrument, wherein said wireless sensor/transmitter is attached to said surgical instrument. 30. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 wherein said surgical instrument is a catheter or an endoscope. 31. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 wherein said wireless sensor/transmitter is operable to track the movement of a structure within the anatomical body. 32. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 wherein said sensed signals are temperature signals of a portion of the anatomical body. 33. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 wherein said first portion is operable to receive a signal selected from a group comprising an RF signal, a magnetic field signal, and an optical signal. 34. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 24 wherein said second portion is operable to wirelessly transmit said information signal as a signal selected from a group comprising an RF signal, a digital RF signal, a magnetic field signal, and an optical signal. 35. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said first portion includes a coil adapted to have a voltage induced by the signal generator. 36. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 35 further including a circuit for powering the second portion using the induced voltage. 37. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said second portion includes a voltage to frequency converter. 38. The wireless sensor/transmitter as defined in claim 37 wherein said second portion further includes an antenna. 39. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said second portion further includes a coil. 40. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said second portion includes an A-D converter and a signal transmission module. 41. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said second portion includes an LC tank circuit. 42. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said second portion includes a DSP operable to process and compress the information signals to be transmitted. 43. A wireless sensor/transmitter for use in surgical procedures with an anatomical body, said wireless sensor/transmitter comprising: a first portion operable to receive signals from a signal generator that is remote from the anatomical body; and a second portion operable to wirelessly transmit the signals received from the signal generator as information signals indicative of information regarding the surgical procedure; wherein said wireless sensor/transmitter is formed as a component internal to the anatomical body. 44. A surgical navigation apparatus for navigating a surgical instrument and monitoring a structure within an anatomical body during a surgical procedure, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: at least one signal generator operable to transmit signals into the anatomical body from a site remote from the anatomical body; a first wireless sensor/transmitter attached to the surgical instrument, said first wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit position signals indicative of a current location of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; and a second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to be attached to the structure within the anatomical body, said second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of the structure within the anatomical body; wherein said at least one signal generator is operable to transmit reference signals and power signals into the anatomical body. 45. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 44 wherein said reference signals are operable to be used by said first wireless sensor/transmitter to generate position signals and operable to be used by said second wireless sensor/transmitter to transmit information signals, and wherein said power signals are operable to power said first and said second wireless sensor/transmitters. 46. A surgical navigation apparatus for navigating a surgical instrument and monitoring a structure within an anatomical body during a surgical procedure, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: at least one signal generator operable to transmit signals into the anatomical body from a site remote from the anatomical body; a first wireless sensor/transmitter attached to the surgical instrument, said first wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit position signals indicative of a current location of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; and a second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to be attached to the structure within the anatomical body, said second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of the structure within the anatomical body; wherein said information signals are indicative of movement of the structure within the anatomical body. 47. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein said at least one signal generator is operable to transmit signals selected from a group comprising RF signals, magnetic field signals, and optical signals. 48. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 47 wherein said position signals are orientation signals. 49. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein said position signals are orientation and position signals. 50. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein at least one of said first and said second wireless sensor/transmitters is powered by a battery. 51. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the information signals are signals sensed from the anatomical body. 52. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein the sensed signals are temperature signals of a portion of the anatomical body. 53. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein said first and said second wireless sensor/transmitters are operable to receive and transmit signals selected from a type comprising RF signals, magnetic field signals, optical signals, and a combination thereof. 54. A surgical navigation apparatus for navigating a surgical instrument and monitoring a structure within an anatomical body during a surgical procedure, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: at least one signal generator operable to transmit signals into the anatomical body from a site remote from the anatomical body; a first wireless sensor/transmitter attached to the surgical instrument, said first wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit position signals indicative of a current location of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; and a second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to be attached to the structure within the anatomical body, said second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of the structure within the anatomical body; wherein said information signals are indicative of movement of an organ or a tissue. 55. A surgical navigation apparatus for navigating a surgical instrument and monitoring a structure within an anatomical body during a surgical procedure, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: at least one signal generator operable to transmit signals into the anatomical body from a site remote from the anatomical body; a first wireless sensor/transmitter attached to the surgical instrument, said first wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit position signals indicative of a current location of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; and a second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to be attached to the structure within the anatomical body, said second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of the structure within the anatomical body; wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter is formed as a component internal to the anatomical body. 56. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 55 wherein the information signals are signals sensed from the anatomical body. 57. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 55 wherein the sensed signals are temperature signals of a portion of the anatomical body. 58. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 54 wherein said first and said second wireless sensor/transmitters are operable to receive and transmit signals selected from a type comprising RF signals, magnetic field signals, optical signals, and a combination thereof. 59. The surgical navigation apparatus as defined in claim 55 wherein said position signals are orientation signals. 60. A surgical navigation apparatus for navigating a surgical instrument and monitoring a structure within an anatomical body during a surgical procedure, said surgical navigation apparatus comprising: at least one signal generator operable to transmit signals into the anatomical body from a site remote from the anatomical body; a first wireless sensor/transmitter attached to the surgical instrument, said first wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit position signals indicative of a current location of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure; and a second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to be attached to the structure within the anatomical body, said second wireless sensor/transmitter operable to receive signals from said at least one signal generator and operable to wirelessly transmit information signals indicative of the structure within the anatomical body; wherein said first wireless sensor/transmitter includes a DSP operable to process and compress the information signals to be transmitted.