Methods and apparatuses for providing a reference array input device

A method for performing a surgical procedure using a reference array input device and a computer-aided surgical navigation system, wherein the reference array input device can be sensed by at least two sensors associated with the computer-aided surgical navigation system, and wherein a relative position and orientation of the reference array input device may be determined by the computer-aided surgical navigation system, the method comprising:

• (a) mounting a reference array input device adjacent to a first object, wherein the reference array input device comprises:
• (i) a plurality of fiducial markers positioned on the reference array input device and adapted to be sensed by the computer-aided surgical navigation system, wherein a position and orientation associated with the reference array input device can be determined when at least some of the fiducial markers are sensed by the computer-aided surgical navigation system;
• (ii) at least one indication detector positioned on the reference array input device;
• and
• (iii) a mount adapted to support the reference array input device adjacent to the first object;
• (b) sensing the relative position and orientation of the reference array input device by the computer-aided surgical navigation system;
• (c) determining a position associated with the first object based in part on sensing the relative position and orientation of the reference array input device;
• and
• (d) positioning a second object at the indication detector to select at least one corresponding instruction for execution by the computer-aided surgical navigation system.

An input system comprising:

• (a) a computer-aided navigation system;
• (b) a surgical instrument;
• and
• (c) a reference array input device comprising:
• (i) a plurality of fiducial markers positioned on the reference array input device and adapted to be sensed by the computer-aided surgical navigation system, wherein a position and orientation of the reference array input device can be determined from sensing at least some of the fiducial markers by the computer-aided surgical navigation system;
• (ii) at least one indication detector positioned on the reference array input device, wherein positioning the surgical instrument at the at least one indication detector indicates at least one instruction for execution b the computer-aided surgical navigation system;
• and
• (iii) a mount adapted to support the reference array input device adjacent to an object.

A method for performing a surgical procedure using an input system and a computer-aided surgical navigation system, the method comprising:

• (a) mounting a reference array input device adjacent to a first surgical instrument, wherein the reference array input device comprises:
• (i) a plurality of fiducial markers positioned on the reference array input device and adapted to be sensed by the computer-aided surgical navigation system, wherein a relative position and orientation associated with the reference array input device can be determined from sensing at least some of the fiducial markers by the computer-aided surgical navigation system;
• (ii) at least one indication detector positioned on the reference array input device;
• and
• (iii) a mount adapted to support the reference array input device adjacent to the first surgical instrument;
• (b) sensing a portion of at least three of the fiducial markers by the computer-aided surgical navigation system;
• (c) determining a position associated with the first surgical instrument based in part on sensing the portions of the at least three of the fiducial markers;
• and
• (d) positioning a second surgical instrument at the at least one indication detector to indicate at least one corresponding instruction for execution by the computer-aided surgical navigation system.