Electronic orientation monitor and an associated method
Inventors
Lye, Robert • Hill, William • Lester, Kim
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10716640-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention, in one aspect, provides an electronic orientation monitor. The monitor includes an orientation sensing electronics configured for calibration when in a reference orientation and being responsive to manipulation of the monitor so as to calculate first, second and third angles which together represent a difference between a current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation. The monitor further includes a display being responsive to the first and second angles so as to display a point positioned relative to first and second axes, the display being further responsive to the third angle so as to display a line having a direction relative to the first and second axes such that a combination of the position of the point and the direction of the line is indicative to a user of the difference between the current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation.
Core Innovation
A surgical electronic orientation monitor is calibrated in a reference orientation and is responsive to manipulation to compute first, second, and third angles representing angular difference between its current orientation and the reference orientation. An electronic orientation monitor display indicates deviation from the reference orientation using a point based on first and second angles and a directional line based on the third angle, and optionally provides numeric display of the angles.
A calibration system uses a brace with a rigid frame, a docking station to which the surgical electronic orientation monitor can be attached, and adjustable arcuate members positioned to accommodate a patient's body between the arcuate members. Distal ends of first and second arcuate members and a distal end of a third elongated member are configured to be placed over the patient's skin, and the brace is adjustable to vary force readings or soft tissue measurements to place the docking station in the reference orientation for calibration.
In alternative embodiments, the brace uses force sensors, ultrasound probes, or infrared photodetectors disposed on the arcuate members and a third elongated member to provide soft tissue measurements indicative of thickness. The brace structure includes adjustable connection points along the first elongated portion to set a separation distance between the first and second arcuate members, and connection features that include slots and threaded fasteners enabling adjustable positioning.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00009, and clm-00017. Across these independent claims, the inventive features include a detachable surgical electronic orientation monitor with a brace-and-docking-station calibration mechanism that uses adjustable arcuate members and soft-tissue thickness measurements to place the docking station in a reference orientation, together with angle-based calibration behavior and display indicia tied to roll, pitch, and yaw angles.
Adjustable brace with detachable docking station for calibration
A surgical electronic orientation monitor detachably engageable to a brace and a surgical implement, and the brace usable for taking measurements for calibrating the surgical electronic orientation monitor for subsequent use with the surgical implement, the brace comprising a rigid frame including first and second elongated portions connected at a first frame connection point, a docking station to which the surgical electronic orientation monitor can be attached, first and second arcuate members connected to the first elongated portion at respective member connection points, and a third elongated member connected to the second elongated portion.
Sensor-equipped arcuate members to position reference orientation
A first force sensor disposed on the first arcuate member, a second force sensor disposed on the second arcuate member and a third force sensor disposed on the third elongated member, wherein distal ends are configured to be placed over the patient's skin, the force sensors providing force measurements indicative of thickness of soft tissue in the vicinity of each respective arcuate member, and the brace being adjustable to vary the force readings to place the docking station in a reference orientation relative to the respective anatomical sites for calibration.
Adjustable member connection points to set separation distance
A position of at least one of the first and second member connection points being adjustable, allowing the at least one of the first and second arcuate members to be selectively positioned along the first elongated portion such that a separation distance between the first and second arcuate members can be selectively set to accommodate a patient's body between the first and second arcuate members.
Ultrasound soft tissue measurements for reference orientation calibration
First and second ultrasound probes disposed on the first and second arcuate members and a third ultrasound probe disposed on the third elongated member, wherein distal ends are configured to be placed over the patient's skin and the ultrasound probes providing soft tissue measurements indicative of the thickness of soft tissue in the vicinity of each respective member, the brace being adjustable to vary the soft tissue measurements to place the docking station in a reference orientation relative to the respective anatomical sites for calibration.
Infrared photodetector soft tissue measurements for reference orientation calibration
First infrared photodetector disposed on the first arcuate member, a second infrared photodetector disposed on the second arcuate member and a third infrared photodetector disposed on the third elongated member, wherein distal ends are configured to be placed over the patient's skin and the infrared photodetectors providing soft tissue measurements indicative of the thickness of soft tissue in the vicinity of each respective member, the brace being adjustable to vary the soft measurements to place the docking station in a reference orientation relative to the respective anatomical sites for calibration.
Angle computation relative to reference orientation and responsive manipulation
Orientation sensing electronics calibrated in a reference orientation and, when the monitor is manipulated, calculating first, second, and third angles representing the angular difference between its current orientation and the reference orientation.
Display indicia based on roll, pitch, and yaw angles for surgical implement orientation
A display that outputs indicia based on current roll, pitch, and yaw angles relative to a reference orientation so the indicia can be used to orient a surgical implement when the monitor is rigidly attached to it.
Across clm-00001, clm-00009, and clm-00017, the independent claim coverage centers on calibration of a surgical electronic orientation monitor using a detachable brace with adjustable arcuate members and a docking station positioned into a reference orientation based on soft-tissue thickness measurements, with alternative sensing using force sensors, ultrasound probes, or infrared photodetectors. The claims also cover angle computation relative to the reference orientation and a display providing indicia based on roll, pitch, and yaw angles for orienting a surgical implement.
Stated Advantages
Places the docking station in a reference orientation relative to respective anatomical sites for calibration of the surgical electronic orientation monitor.
Enables calibration for subsequent use with the surgical implement.
Provides indicia usable to orient a surgical implement when the monitor is rigidly attached to it.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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