DISPOSABLE WAND AND SENSOR FOR ORTHOPEDIC ALIGNMENT

• US 20110160572A1
• Filed: 12/31/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OrthoSensor, Inc (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: OrthoSensor, Inc (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: McIntosh, Jason, Boillot, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 9,452,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2048 using an accelerometer or inertia sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2063 Acoustic tracking systems, e.g. using ultrasound
• 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 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/58 Testing, adjusting or calibrating the diagnostic device

Abstract

A disposable tool suitable for use in orthopedic alignment comprises a sensor (101) communicatively coupled to the wand (102) to register points of interest on a first and second bone and transmit location data related to the points of interest to the sensor (101) to assess orthopedic alignment with the points of interest. A display via a wireless connection to the tool reports and visually displays alignment information in real-time. The wand (102) and the sensor (101) each have at least two ultrasonic transducers. The wand (102) has a housing fits in a hand and includes a tip (134) for identifying and registering a location. The wand (101) can be attached to a mount in a predetermined position within the surgical field during a portion of the alignment procedure. Sensor (101) and wand (102) remain within the surgical field throughout the surgery and are disposed of after use in surgery.

Claims

1. A sensor for a surgical orthopedic alignment system comprising:

at least two ultrasonic transducers located at predetermined positions on the sensor;

an accelerometer; and

a controller operatively coupled to the at least two ultrasonic transducers and the accelerometer to determine a location of an object in three-dimensional space within a surgical field from one or more signals received thereto.

2. The sensor of claim 1 where the sensor further includes a mounting structure to attach the sensor in a reference position.

3. The sensor of claim 2 where the mounting structure includes a threaded portion for attaching to a bone.

4. The sensor of claim 2 where the mounting structure attaches to a cutting block or jig.

5. The sensor of claim 3 where the sensor further includes:

a printed circuit board; and

the at least two ultrasonic transducers coupled to a first side of the printed circuit board where each of the at least two ultrasonic transducers have a predetermined location on the printed circuit board for receiving signals directed thereto.

6. The sensor of claim 5 where a second side of the printed circuit board includes at least three ultrasonic transducers each at a predetermined location on the second side of the printed circuit board for receiving signals directed thereto.

7. The sensor of claim 1 further including an optical detector for receiving an optical trigger signal.

8. The sensor of claim 1 further including:

a power source coupled for powering the sensor; and

wireless communication circuitry coupled to the controller for transmitting alignment information.

9. The sensor of claim 1 where the at least two transducers are covered with a material transmissive to ultrasonic frequencies.

10. The sensor of claim 1 where the sensor includes a user interface coupled to the controller that can visually or audibly report a status.

11. A wand for a surgical orthopedic alignment system comprising:

at least two ultrasonic transducers located at predetermined positions on the wand;

an accelerometer; and

a controller operatively coupled to the at least two ultrasonic transducers and the accelerometer to identify a location of an object in three-dimensional space within a surgical field by sending ultrasonic signals therefrom.

12. The wand of claim 11 further including:

a housing operatively formed for being handheld; and

a tip extending from the housing for registering one or more locations.

13. The wand of claim 12 where the tip is a touch sensitive tip that is responsive to a physical action.

14. The wand of claim 11 further including an optical emitter to send an optical trigger signal.

15. The wand of claim 11 further including a mount in a predetermined location where the mount retains the wand in the predetermined location during a portion of an alignment procedure.

16. The wand of claim 11 further including:

a power source internal to the wand coupled for powering the wand;

a user interface coupled to the controller that can visually or audibly report a status; and

wireless communication circuitry coupled to the processor for transmitting information.

17. The wand of claim 11 further including an attachment mechanism to mount the wand to a bone or cutting block or jig.

18. A surgical orthopedic alignment system comprising:

a wand having at least two ultrasonic transducers to transmit signals corresponding to a location in three-dimensional space;

a sensor having at least two ultrasonic sensors to receive signals from the wand;

a trigger system between the wand the sensor that initiates a time of flight and a differential time of flight measurement; and

a mount to retain and hold the wand in a predetermined location where the wand, sensor, and mount are within a surgical field.

19. The alignment system of claim 18 where the sensor and the wand are disposable.

20. The alignment system of claim 19 further including a display coupled to sensor and wand outside the surgical field.