Laser Tracking of Surgical Instruments and Implants

A laser projection system comprising a tracking system, the tracking system comprising:

• one or more reflectors;
• a first laser source having multiple degrees of freedom such that any point in space within a field of view can be targeted at a rapid rate;
• a first receiving device that is triggered when illuminated by light from the first laser source that has reflected back from the one or more reflectors;
• a second laser source having multiple degrees of freedom such that any point in space within the field of view can be targeted at a rapid rate;
• and
• a second receiving device that is triggered when illuminated by light from the second laser source that has reflected back from the one or more reflectors;
• and
• a processing system configured to determine the position of the one or more reflectors relative to the first and second laser sources.

A method of determining positional information for use during surgery comprising:

• providing a tool with at least one reflector and a laser projector system with at least a first laser proctor and a second laser projector, each being associated with a respective first light sensor and a second light sensor;
• scanning a workspace with a first laser beam of the first laser projector;
• capturing a first reflection of the first laser beam from the at least one reflector with the first light sensor located near the first laser projector;
• recording the orientation of the first laser beam when the first reflection is captured;
• scanning the workspace with a second laser beam of the second laser projector;
• capturing a second reflection of the second laser beam from the at least one reflector with the second light sensor located near the second laser projector;
• recording the orientation of the second laser beam when the second reflection is captured;
• and
• calculating the position of the at least one reflector relative to the laser projector system based upon the orientation of the first and second laser beams.