Unicortal path detection for a surgical depth measurement system
AssigneeMcGinley Engineered Solutions, LLC
InventorsJoseph C. McGinley, Vincent Palazzolo, Adam M. Johnson
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Abstract
Unicortical path detection for a measurement system for monitoring a depth of penetration of a working portion of an instrument in a bone of a patient. The unicortical detection may compare an average cortex thickness in a bicortical path to an actual measured depth of penetration. If the actual depth of penetration exceeds the average thickness, a unicortical path may be detected. Upon detection of a unicortical path, an alert may be provided and/or the instrument may be arrested upon subsequent breaching of the cortex.
Claims6
A method for control of an instrument having a working portion advanced into a bone of a patient, the method comprising:
- selecting a bone type of the bone in which the working portion is to be advanced;
- retrieving a predetermined average cortex thickness value corresponding to the bone type;
- monitoring a depth of penetration of the working portion into the bone of the patient;
- comparing the depth of penetration of the working portion into the bone of the patient to the predetermined average cortex thickness value;
- determining that the depth of penetration of the working portion exceeds the predetermined average cortex thickness value;
- and
- arresting the instrument, after the determining, upon sensing penetration of the working portion from a first medium having a first density to a second medium having a second density.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.