Interchangeable localizing devices for use with tracking systems

• US 8,781,556 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings, LLC (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kienzle, Thomas C. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): IMPINK, BRADLEY GERALD
• Application Number:
  US12/971,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20110087092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/154 for preparing bone for knee prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8866 for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators joint distractors A61B17/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• 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 6/4441 the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/547 involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0284 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/16 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

A system for tracking the position of an instrument relative to an area of interest includes a first fixator configured to carry first and second localizing devices. A second fixator is configured to carry the first localizing device. A third localizing device communicates with the first localizing device and the second localizing device communicates with the first localizing device such that the position of the second localizing device can be determined relative to the position of the third localizing device. The second localizing device is attachable to the instrument and the first localizing device is attachable to the first fixator such that the first localizing device communicates with the second localizing device on the instrument in order that the position of the second localizing device on the instrument can be determined relative to the third localizing device.

Claims

1. A system for extending the operating range of a tracking system using localizing devices, comprising:

a first fixator connected to a first point proximate an area of interest and a first localizing device, said first fixator including a body having two portions separated by a space between said two portions wherein said first localizing device is positioned in said space and snapably connectable between said two portions to secure said first localizing device to said body and said first localizing device is snapably dis-connectable from between said two portions, said first fixator including a post, wherein said post has a spring and locking mechanism attached thereto, wherein a second localizing device receives said post and is engaged by said spring and locking mechanism such that said second localizing device is detachably connected to said post;

a second fixator at a second point and proximate said first point said second fixator including a second post having a spring and locking mechanism attached thereto, wherein said second localizing device is configured to receive said post and be engaged by said spring and locking mechanism such that said second localizing device is detachably connected to said second post of said second fixator;

a first instrument and a third localizing device, and said third localizing device being mounted on said first instrument and communicating with said second localizing device at said second fixator in order that the position of said third localizing device can be determined relative to said second localizing device, said second localizing device communicating with said first localizing device at said first fixator in order that the position of said third localizing device on said first instrument can be determined relative to the position of said first localizing device at said first fixator; and

a second instrument and a fourth localizing device, said fourth localizing device being mounted on said second instrument and communicating with said first localizing device at said first fixator in order that the position of said fourth localizing device on said second instrument can be determined relative to said first localizing device on said first fixator and to the position of said third localizing device on said first instrument.

2. A system for extending the operating range of a tracking system using localizing devices, comprising:

a first fixator connected to a first point proximate an area of interest, a transmitter, and a first receiver, said first fixator being configured to have both of said transmitter and said first receiver be detachably mounted to said first fixator such that the positions of said transmitter and said first receiver on said first fixator are fixed and known relative to one another when both said transmitter and said receiver are mounted on said fixator, said first fixator including a body having two portions separated by a space between said two portions wherein said first receiver is positioned in said space and snapably connectable between said two portions to secure said first receiver to said body and said first receiver is snapably dis-connectable from between said two portions, said first fixator including a post, wherein said post has a spring and locking mechanism attached thereto, wherein said transmitter receives said post and is engaged by said spring and locking mechanism such that said transmitter is detachably connected to said post;

a second fixator at a second point proximate said first point, said second fixator including a second post having a spring and locking mechanism attached thereto, wherein said transmitter is configured to receive said post and be engaged by said spring and locking mechanism such that said transmitter is detachably connected to said second post of said second fixator;

a first instrument and a second receiver, said second receiver being mounted on said first instrument, wherein, when said transmitter is mounted to said second fixator and said first receiver is mounted to said first fixator, said second receiver on said first instrument communicates with said transmitter on said second fixator in order that the position of said second receiver can be determined relative to said transmitter, said transmitter communicating with said first receiver on said first fixator such that the position of said second receiver on said first instrument can be determined relative to the position of said first receiver on said first fixator; and

a second instrument and a third receiver, said third receiver being mounted on said second instrument, wherein, when said transmitter is detached from said second fixator and mounted to said first fixator, said third receiver communicates with said transmitter at said first fixator in order that the position of said third receiver on said second instrument can be determined relative to said transmitter on said first fixator; and

such that the position of said third receiver on said second instrument can be determined relative to said position of said second receiver on said first instrument.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first instrument is a C-arm having an imaging device and being positioned proximate said first point, said imaging device taking an image proximate said first point.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said second instrument is a C-arm having an imaging device and being positioned proximate said second point, said imaging device taking an image proximate said second point.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a computer system that monitors the communications between said transmitter and said first, second, and third receivers and calculates their relative positions.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said first fixator includes bone screws and is configured to be rigidly secured to a patient'"'"'s body.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein said second fixator includes a connectable strap and is configured to be secured to a patient'"'"'s body.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said first receiver and said transmitter at said first fixator are positioned in a known relationship with respect to each other and said relationship is determined by a calibration procedure.