Systems and methods for tracking surgical instruments

A surgical system for surgical instrument tracking, the surgical system comprising:

• a first surgical instrument including a pattern having a plurality of first markers arranged for detection in response to longitudinal translation of the first surgical instrument and a plurality of second markers arranged for detection in response to rotation of the first surgical instrument;
• a second surgical instrument configured to guide the first surgical instrument such that the first surgical instrument is permitted to translate longitudinally and rotate relative to the second surgical instrument, and such that the first surgical instrument is constrained relative to the second surgical instrument in at least one other degree of freedom;
• and
• a sensor assembly operably coupled to the second surgical instrument, the sensor assembly including at least one sensor configured to:
• detect at least one first marker of the plurality of first markers, thereby enabling determination of longitudinal translation of the first surgical instrument relative to the second surgical instrument;
• and
• detect at least one second marker of the plurality of second markers, thereby enabling determination of rotation of the first surgical instrument relative to the second surgical instrument.