Intra-Operative Position Sensing and Tracking Devices

Abstract

Intra-operative position sensing and tracking devices are fundamental building blocks which are often used in Computer-Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS). These devices are used during surgery to precisely localize conventional surgical tools, rigid anatomical structures, other medical imaging equipment (e.g., X-Ray or ultrasound scanners), surgical implants, etc. For example, in computer-assisted spine surgery, it may be desirable to determine the position and orientation of a drill relative to a vertebral body. Intra-operative sensors can be used to independently measure the locations of the vertebral body and the drill, and then the relative position and orientation can be inferred. In this abstract, the term position sensor refers to a type of sensor which can localize one or more discrete points in 3-D space. Such sensors can also compute object orientation when 3 or more measured points are attached to a single rigid object. The term surface sensor refers to a type of sensor which can measure the bounding surface of an object (e.g., the surface of a bone). In this abstract, characteristics and examples of both sensor types are presented.