Device for determining the position of an incision block

• US 7,497,029 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Neubauer, Timo, Plassky, Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US11/050,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 335/11, 335/12, 335/583, 335/72, 336/45, 248/71, 248/229.11, 248/229.16, 248/229.21, 248/229.26, 248/231.9, 600/424, 606/62, 606/88, 606/90, 606/102, 269/143, 269/249, 269/254.CS, 269/3, 269/6, 269/95, 292/39, 292/57, 292/76, 403/325, 403/329
• US Class Current: 33/645
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/15 Guides therefor arrangements for guiding straight saw blades in general B23D51/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/155 Cutting femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• 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 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for determining the position of a plane or recess of an instrument. The device includes a positioning element that has at least one reference marker, wherein a spatial position of the positioning element can be ascertained, and a position determining element coupled to the positioning element. The position determining element includes at least one reference element that defines a contact plane, and at least one pressing element.

Claims

1. A device for determining the position of a plane or recess of an instrument, comprising:

a positioning element that includes at least one reference point, the spatial position of which can be ascertained by a medical tracking system;

a position determining element coupled to the positioning element, the position determining element comprising

at least one reference element that defines a contact plane for contacting a guide surface of the instrument that is subject to wear in use, wherein the at least one reference element has a fixed spacing relative to the at least one reference point,

at least one pressing element.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reference element includes at least one reference plate that lies on the contact plane, the reference plate being insertable into the instrument.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the pressing element includes at least one pressing plate, wherein the pressing plate is moveable with respect to the at least one reference plate, and at least one component of the movement is substantially perpendicular to the contact plane.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the pressing plate can be moved onto the contact plane.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one pressing plate is insertable into the instrument.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressing element is formed as an elastic element or is charged with a force by an elastic element.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the positioning element can be fixed or arrested by the elastic element.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein a force exerted by the elastic element urges the pressing element toward the reference element.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein a force exerted by the elastic element urges the pressing element away from the reference element.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the charged force of the elastic element provides a moving force that acts substantially perpendicular to the contact plane.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein the elastic element is a spring.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the spring is a coil spring or a leaf spring.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the spring is configured to operate under tension.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the spring is configured to operate under compression.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the spring is a torsion spring.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the instrument is an incision block.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the positioning element is a reference star and includes at least three markers having a reflective surface.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the reference element or the pressing element can be rotated about an axis of the positioning element.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the axis is substantially parallel to the contact plane.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to the contact plane.

21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a connecting element, the connecting element coupling the positioning element to the position determining element, wherein the connecting element provides for a rotational movement of the positioning element with respect to the position determining element.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressing element and the reference element create an interference fit when both are inserted into the recess of the instrument or an opening of the instrument.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressing element is configured to provide a force perpendicular to the contact plane.

24. A system for positioning an incision block, comprising:

a device as set forth in claim 1; and

an incision block.

25. A device for determining the position of a plane or recess of an instrument, comprising:

a positioning element trackable by a medical tracking system;

a connector coupled to the positioning element, the connector having a substantially flat plate that defines a reference plane, said reference plane having a fixed spacing relative to the positioning element; and

a biasing element operatively coupled to the connector, wherein the biasing element provides a force having at least one component that is substantially perpendicular to the reference plane.

26. The device of claim 25, further comprising a connecting element, the connecting element coupling the positioning element to the connector, wherein the connecting element provides for a rotational movement of the positioning element with respect to the connector.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the biasing element is formed as an elastic element or is charged with a force by an elastic element.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the elastic element is at least one of a coil spring, a torsion spring and a leaf spring.

29. The device of claim 25, wherein the plate or the biasing element rotatable about an axis of the positioning element.

30. The device of claim 25, wherein the positioning element is a reference star and includes at least three markers having a reflective surface.

31. A system for positioning an incision block, comprising:

a device as set forth in claim 25; and

an incision block.