Instrument tracker, system, and methods of use
AssigneeAlphatec Spine, Inc.
InventorsLucas Hoffmann, Matthew DiCorleto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure relates to trackers for use in navigated and/or robotic-assisted surgical procedures. A tracker for use in navigated or robotic-assisted surgery comprises a frame connectable to a surgical instrument, and an arm extending from the frame from a first end to a second end. The arm may have a first tracking marker at the second end, where the first tracking marker is for determining a position of the surgical instrument. The tracker may include a second marker disposed on the frame, the second marker for determining a type of the surgical instrument. The tracker may include multiple arms.
Claims21
A tracker for use in navigated or robotic-assisted surgery, the tracker comprising:
- a frame connectable to a surgical instrument;
- an arm extending from the frame from a first end to a second end, the arm having a surgical instrument positioning tracking marker at the second end, the surgical instrument positioning tracking marker for determining a position of the surgical instrument;
- and
- an instrument-type tracking marker disposed on the frame, the instrument-type tracking marker for determining a type of the surgical instrument.
A system for use in a navigated or robotic-assisted surgical procedure, the system comprising:
- a tracker connectable to a surgical instrument for use in the surgical procedure, the tracker for identifying a type of the surgical instrument and for tracking a position of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure, the tracker comprising:
- a frame connectable to the surgical instrument,
- at least one arm extending from the frame from a first end to a second end, the at least one arm having a first tracking marker at the second end, the first tracking marker for determining a position of the surgical instrument, and
- a second tracking marker in connection with the frame, the second tracking marker having a plurality of positions relative to the frame, the second tracking marker for determining a type of the surgical instrument;
- a processor in communication with a sensor configured to track the tracker, the processor for receiving signals from the sensor, and the processor for determining the type of the surgical instrument and the position of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure;
- and
- a display in communication with the processor, the display for displaying the type of the surgical instrument and the position of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure.
A method for identifying a type of surgical instrument in navigated or robotic-assisted surgery, the method comprising:
- connecting a tracker to a surgical instrument;
- positioning an instrument-type tracking marker of the tracker in a first position;
- detecting the instrument-type tracking marker at the first position, the first position corresponding to a first type of the surgical instrument;
- and
- determining the type of the surgical instrument based on the detected first position of the instrument-type tracking marker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.