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Electronic guidance of spinal instrumentation

  • US 8,348,954 B2
  • Filed: 09/16/2008
  • Issued: 01/08/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for minimally-invasive surgical procedures in a patient, comprising:

  • at least one tissue anchor including a tissue engaging portion and a receiving portion coupled to said tissue engaging portion;

    an inserter instrument including a proximal handle portion and an inserter arm extending from said proximal handle portion;

    a connecting element for implantation in the patient, said connecting element releasably engaged to said inserter arm; and

    an electronic guidance system including a targeting device at said receiving portion of said at least one tissue anchor and a tracking device at said connecting element, said tracking device being operable to electrically communicate with said targeting device through tissue of the patient to provide an electronic signal that varies in accordance with a relative position between said connecting element and said receiving portion, said electronic guidance system further including a processor subsystem that receives said electronic signal, said processor subsystem being programmed to determine a change in a relative position between said receiving portion and said connecting element based on said electronic signal, said electronic guidance system further including a feedback device operable to communicate said change in said relative position as said connecting element is guided through tissue of the patient;

    wherein said connecting element includes a leading end and an opposite trailing end, said trailing end being coupled to said inserter instrument and said connecting element extending away from said trailing end to said leading end, said leading end including said tracking device and said tracking device includes one of an anode and a cathode;

    wherein said receiving portion including a target location to receive said connecting element and said targeting device is positioned at said target location, said targeting device including the other said anode and said cathode, wherein an electric current flow path is provided between said anode and said cathode through tissue of the patient when said leading end of said connecting element is in contact with tissue of the patient;

    wherein as said leading end of said connecting element approaches said at least one receiving portion electric current flow between said anode and said cathode increases and as leading end of said connecting element moves away from said receiving portion electric current flow between said anode and said cathode decreases;

    wherein said processing subsystem receives signals corresponding to said current flow and is programmed to determine said relative position of said leading end and said receiving portion based on said signals and provide data regarding said relative position to said feedback device; and

    wherein said target location includes shielding around said at least one tissue anchor to resist dissipation of current flow into adjacent tissue and to direct current flow to said one of said anode and said cathode at said target location.

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