Smart pedicle tool
First Claim
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1. A bone navigation device, comprising:
- a bone screw having a rod-receiving recess and a threaded shank adapted to penetrate bone, the bone screw having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough and configured to emit light in the visible to near infrared range to illuminate bone and receive reflected light from the bone;
a plurality of windows formed in a sidewall of the threaded shank of the bone screw adapted to allow light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the bone; and
a processor configured to collect data from the at least one optical waveguide and to determine optical characteristics of the bone from which the light is transmitted or reflected;
wherein the plurality of windows are spaced along a length of the shank such that when the bone screw is inserted in bone, the windows are positioned at different depths.
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Abstract
Various methods and devices are provided for navigating through bone. In one embodiment, a bone navigation device is provided and includes a bone penetrating member configured to be implanted in bone and having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough. The optical waveguide is adapted to illuminate tissue surrounding the device and to receive reflected/transmitted light from the tissue to determine the optical characteristics of the tissue, thus facilitating navigation through the tissue. At least one window can be formed in the bone penetrating member for allowing light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the tissue, and for receiving the reflected light.
78 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A bone navigation device, comprising:
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a bone screw having a rod-receiving recess and a threaded shank adapted to penetrate bone, the bone screw having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough and configured to emit light in the visible to near infrared range to illuminate bone and receive reflected light from the bone; a plurality of windows formed in a sidewall of the threaded shank of the bone screw adapted to allow light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the bone; and a processor configured to collect data from the at least one optical waveguide and to determine optical characteristics of the bone from which the light is transmitted or reflected; wherein the plurality of windows are spaced along a length of the shank such that when the bone screw is inserted in bone, the windows are positioned at different depths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of implanting a bone screw, comprising:
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driving a bone screw into bone using a driver; illuminating tissue surrounding a plurality of openings formed in a threaded sidewall of the bone screw with light emitted from at least one optical waveguide extending through the bone screw; detecting light reflected back from the tissue to determine optical characteristics of the tissue; repositioning the bone screw in the tissue based on the determined optical characteristics of the tissue; and removing the at least one optical waveguide from the bone screw through the driver. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification