Flexible circuit sheet

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongated body is formed such that the elongated body is capable of being bent between the proximal end and the distal end from a first configuration to a second configuration;
• a tracking device coupled to the distal end;
• and
• a flexible circuit disposed adjacent the elongated body,
• wherein
• the flexible circuit has a sinusoidal periphery, extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated body, and has a base layer and a pair of traces,
• a first trace of the pair of traces includes first portions and second portions,
• the first portions of the first trace are connected to the second portions of the first trace by vias,
• each of the vias extend through the base layer,
• the first portions of the first trace is on a first side of the base layer,
• the second portions of the first trace is on a second side of the base laver,
• first portions of a second trace of the pair of traces is on the first side of the base layer,
• second portions of the second trace is on the second side of the base layer,
• the pair of traces is configured to conform to the first configuration and the second configuration such that the pair of traces does not break during the bending of the elongated body,
• the pair of traces electrically connect the tracking device to a navigation system, and
• the tracking device is used to track the distal end of the elongated body.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an elongated tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongated tubular body has an inner diameter defining a first internal flow passage between the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the elongated tubular body is deformable to be bent between the proximal end and the distal end from a first configuration to a second configuration;
• a tracking device coupled to the elongated tubular body and is adjacent to the distal end, wherein
• the tracking device is electrically connected to a navigation system and is used to track a distal end of the surgical instrument,
• the tracking device includes a flexible circuit and a plurality of coil assemblies,
• the flexible circuit has a sinusoidal periphery and comprises a base layer, a plurality of traces, and a plurality of lead wires,
• the plurality of traces comprise a first trace and a second trace,
• each of the plurality of traces has a first portion formed on a first side of the base layer and a second portion formed on an opposite second side of the base layer,
• the first portion of the first trace (i) is positioned opposite to the first portion of the second trace and (ii) is on an opposite side of the base layer than the first portion of the second trace,
• the second portion of the first trace (i) is positioned opposite to the second portion of the second trace, and (ii) is on an opposite side of the base layer than the second portion of the second trace, and
• the plurality of lead wires are connected respectively to the plurality of traces;
• and
• an insulative layer formed over the plurality of traces to isolate the traces from an external environment,
• wherein the base layer and the insulative layer include material properties and have a thickness to facilitate the flexible circuit being flexible such that the flexible circuit is adapted to conform to an exterior surface of the elongated tubular body.