PATELLA TRACKING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN SURGICAL NAVIGATION

• US 20090183740A1
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sheffer, Garrett, Schoenefeld, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/882
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3916 Bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

An apparatus for use in tracking movement of a patella through a range of motion during a surgical navigation procedure, comprising a frame fixed in relation to the patella, a patella trial component associated with the frame for fixing the frame relative to the patella, and a reference array configured to attach to the frame, the reference array having first, second and third markers, the first, second and third markers being detectable by a surgical navigation system when exposed to a measurement field of the surgical navigation system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in tracking movement of a patella through a range of motion during a surgical navigation procedure, comprising:

a frame fixed in relation to the patella;

a patella trial component associated with the frame for fixing the frame relative to the patella; and

a reference array configured to attach to the frame, the reference array having first, second and third markers, the first, second and third markers being detectable by a surgical navigation system when exposed to a measurement field of the surgical navigation system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least one opening for forming a hole in the patella.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the patella trial component includes at least one prong adapted to fit into a hole formed in the patella and to retain the patella against the frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference array is removably attachable to the frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a coupling device for attaching the reference array to the frame, the coupling device being adapted to attach the reference array to the frame by one of welding, fusing, molding, gluing, threading, snap-connecting and quick-connecting.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is substantially C-shaped and sized to accommodate the patella therein.

7. A method of tracking a patella with a surgical navigation system, comprising:

providing a tracking system and a surgical component that is detectable by the tracking system;

touching a portion of the surgical component against a surface of the patella;

moving a leg attached to the patella through a range of motion as the surgical component is maintained against the surface of the patella; and

using the tracking system to determine a path the patella travels as the leg is moved through the range of motion.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the surgical component is at least one of a surgical probe and a patella array assembly.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising comparing the traveled path of the patella to a femoral-tibial mechanical axis, the traveled path and the femoral-tibial mechanical axis each being displayed on a surgical plan image.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein moving the leg through a range of motion comprises moving the leg between flexion and extension.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising placing the portion of the surgical component into a guide as it touches the patella, the guide being attached to the leg.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein touching a portion of the surgical component against a surface of the patella comprises touches a portion of the surgical component against a side of the patella that articulates against a femoral component.

13. A surgical navigation system for tracking movement of a patella through a range of motion during a surgical procedure, comprising:

a frame fixed in relation to the patella;

a reference array configured to attach to the frame, the reference array having first, second and third markers, the first, second and third markers being detectable by a surgical navigation system when exposed to a measurement field of the surgical navigation system; and

means for determining a path traveled by the patella as the patella is moved through a range of motion.

14. The surgical navigation system of claim 13, further comprising a means for displaying an image of the path traveled by the patella, the image further displaying a femoral-tibial mechanical axis identified by the tracking system.

15. The surgical navigation system of claim 13, wherein moving the leg through a range of motion comprises moving the leg between flexion and extension.

16. The surgical navigation system of claim 13, wherein the frame further comprises a movable plate that is configured to adjustably engage the patella and retain it against the frame.

17. The surgical navigation system of claim 16, wherein the frame further comprises a pressure sensitive material that is capable of detecting a resistance force encountered by the patella when engaged by the plate.

18. The surgical navigation system of claim 17, further comprising a means for transmitting the detected resistance force encountered by the patella to a computer that is associated with the navigation system.

19. The surgical navigation system of claim 18, further comprising a means for translating the resistance force encountered by the patella into a pressure reading.

20. The surgical navigation system of claim 18, wherein the transmitting means comprises an infrared transmitter device.

21. The surgical navigation system of claim 13, further comprising a patella trial component associated with the frame.

22. The surgical navigation system of claim 21, wherein the frame includes a series of openings for forming holes in the patella.

23. The surgical navigation system of claim 20, wherein the patella trial component includes a series of prongs adapted to fit into the formed holes and to retain the patella against the frame.

24. The surgical navigation system of claim 23, wherein the formed holes are configured to accommodate a patella implant upon removal of the patella trial component from the patella.

25. An apparatus for use in tracking movement of a patella through a range of motion during a surgical navigation procedure, comprising:

a frame having a movable plate that is configured to adjustably engage the patella and retain it against the frame;

a pressure sensitive material associated with the frame, the pressure sensitive material being configured to detect a resistance force encountered by the patella when engaged by the plate; and

a reference array configured to attach to the frame, the reference array having first, second and third markers, the first, second and third markers being detectable by a surgical navigation system when exposed to a measurement field of the surgical navigation system.