Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for augmented reality spinal rod planning and bending for navigated spine surgery. A proposed spinal rod is determined that is a virtual model of a spinal rod with a desired shape. The proposed spinal rod is determined based on acquired positions of a plurality of spinal screws disposed on a spine of a patient. The spinal screws are configured for receiving a spiral rod interconnecting the plurality of spinal screws. Furthermore, the spinal rod itself is calibrated for tracking by a medical navigation device. This allows displaying the proposed spinal rod by an augmented reality device, thereby overlaying the tracked spinal rod with the proposed spinal rod. Thus, the proposed method inter alia provides the surgeon with improved information about the bending state of the spinal rod.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method plans a position of a tracking reference device for referencing a position in a medical environment. The method includes a determination of avoidance regions in which a tracking reference device should not be placed so as to safeguard proper tracking of the tracking reference device and/or an instrument tracking reference device which is attached to a medical instrument. The avoidance region is a region lying, from the point of view of a tracking device for tracking the tracking reference device, in the shadow of an envelope surrounding at least one medical instrument. Additionally or alternatively, an avoidance region may lie in between the position of the tracking device and the envelope to avoid a shadowing, by the tracking reference device, of an instrument tracking reference device attached to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method plans a position of a tracking reference device for referencing a position in a medical environment. The method includes a determination of avoidance regions in which a tracking reference device should not be placed so as to safeguard proper tracking of the tracking reference device and/or an instrument tracking reference device which is attached to a medical instrument. The avoidance region is a region lying, from the point of view of a tracking device for tracking the tracking reference device, in the shadow of an envelope surrounding at least one medical instrument. Additionally or alternatively, an avoidance region may lie in between the position of the tracking device and the envelope to avoid a shadowing, by the tracking reference device, of an instrument tracking reference device attached to the medical instrument.

Abstract: The disclosed method encompasses moving an object such as a medical device or instrument to a desired spatial position based on tracking data provided by a tracking system. Once it is determined from the tracking data that the object has reached the desired spatial position, a projection image is generated, which is registered with the desired spatial position and shows the object. Based on the image data, it is possible to verify whether the object has actually reached the desired position, or whether the object's actual position deviates from the desired position due to errors or inaccuracies, allowing measures to be taken to compensate for these errors or inaccuracies.

Abstract: The disclosed method encompasses moving an object such as a medical device or instrument to a desired spatial position based on tracking data provided by a tracking system. Once it is determined from the tracking data that the object has reached the desired spatial position, a projection image is generated, which is registered with the desired spatial position and shows the object. Based on the image data, it is possible to verify whether the object has actually reached the desired position, or whether the object's actual position deviates from the desired position due to errors or inaccuracies, allowing measures to be taken to compensate for these errors or inaccuracies.

Abstract: Provided is a data processing method for determining rotation by a marker device of a medical tracking system about its mount. The data processing method includes acquiring a first marker device position dataset which represents a position of the marker device before a movement of the marker device. A second marker device position dataset is acquired which represents the position of the marker device after a movement of the marker device. A marker device displacement dataset is calculated, which represents the displacement of the marker device, from the first and second marker device position datasets. At least one axis of rotation of the marker device displacement dataset is calculated. A determination is made whether or not the marker device is rotated about its mount from the position of the at least one axis of rotation relative to the marker device.

Abstract: Provided is a data processing method for determining rotation by a marker device of a medical tracking system about its mount. The data processing method includes acquiring a first marker device position dataset which represents a position of the marker device before a movement of the marker device. A second marker device position dataset is acquired which represents the position of the marker device after a movement of the marker device. A marker device displacement dataset is calculated, which represents the displacement of the marker device, from the first and second marker device position datasets. At least one axis of rotation of the marker device displacement dataset is calculated. A determination is made whether or not the marker device is rotated about its mount from the position of the at least one axis of rotation relative to the marker device.

Abstract: A data processing method for determining rotation by a marker device 1 of a medical tracking system 10 about its mount 3, comprising the steps of: acquiring a first marker device position dataset which represents the position of the marker device 1 before a movement of the marker device 1; acquiring a second marker device position dataset which represents the position of the marker device 1 after a movement of the marker device 1; calculating a marker device displacement dataset, which represents the displacement of the marker device 1, from the first and second marker device position datasets; calculating at least one axis of rotation 6, 9 of the marker device displacement dataset; and determining whether or not the marker device 1 is rotated about its mount 3 from the position of the at least one axis of rotation 6, 9 relative to the marker device 1.

Abstract: A sterile drape for a trackable medical device includes a reinforced film portion and a holding or tensing device. The holding or tensing device is operative to draw the reinforced film portion taut or smooth on or over a surface of the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping sleeve for clamping a cannulated drill and a guide wire for medical purposes, wherein the clamping sleeve can be introduced into the chuck of a drilling machine, comprising: at least one drill contact area which protrudes into the interior of the clamping sleeve in order to clamp the cannulated drill, through which the guide wire runs, when a force acts inwards on the outer side of the clamping sleeve; at least one wire contact area in order to clamp an exposed part of the guide wire which is not enveloped by the cannulated drill when the force acts inwards on the outer side of the clamping sleeve; wherein the at least one wire contact area and the at least one drill contact area lie sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the clamping sleeve.

Abstract: A marker system and method are provided that can determine a shape and an axial location of a rotationally symmetrical hole in an instrument having a plurality of instrument markers.

Abstract: A marker navigation system for detecting and displaying locations of at least two reference devices, each reference device attachable to a corresponding object includes a detection device for detecting signals emitted from the at least two reference devices, a display device for displaying the locations of the at least two reference devices and/or the objects attached to the at least two reference devices based in accordance with display signals; and a data processing device.

Abstract: A method for the superimposed depiction, on at least one screen, of overlapping recordings of a region to be imaged which is recorded in at least two recording steps, wherein multiple markers are fixedly provided in the region to be imaged, such that at least two recordings can be spatially produced, offset with respect to the markers, using an x-ray apparatus, wherein the recordings are registered relative to the marker, and the image data of accordingly registered recordings is mutually oriented by means of a common imaging protocol and depicted on the at least one screen in a superimposed way.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a C-arm x-ray apparatus, comprising the following steps: a) the C-arm x-ray apparatus is moved to an initial position, in particular to an anterior-posterior position; b) a calibration image is produced; c) the position of the centre of projection in the radiation source of the C-arm x-ray apparatus is determined from the information of the calibration image and stored together with associated values for the orbital angle and the polar angle of the arm of the C-arm x-ray apparatus; d) the arm is moved to a number of calibration positions in a range of orbital angles and polar angles, and the relative position of the radiation source and the image intensifier of the C-arm x-ray apparatus is directly measured for each calibration position; e) the change in the position of the radiation source relative to the image intensifier of the C-arm x-ray apparatus is measured for each calibration position; f) the position of the centre of projection which applies to each

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument aligning method in which a medical instrument to be aligned is aligned to a target point, wherein the spatial position of the instrument to be aligned is determined and tracked by means of a medical tracking system, wherein the target point is indicated by a freely movable pointing instrument, which is likewise determined and tracked by means of the medical tracking system, and the instrument to be aligned is then aligned to the target point with the aid of a medical navigation which is associated with the tracking system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping sleeve for clamping a cannulated drill and a guide wire for medical purposes, wherein the clamping sleeve can be introduced into the chuck of a drilling machine, comprising: at least one drill contact area which protrudes into the interior of the clamping sleeve in order to clamp the cannulated drill, through which the guide wire runs, when a force acts inwards on the outer side of the clamping sleeve; at least one wire contact area in order to clamp an exposed part of the guide wire which is not enveloped by the cannulated drill when the force acts inwards on the outer side of the clamping sleeve; wherein the at least one wire contact area and the at least one drill contact area lie sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the clamping sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a C-arm x-ray apparatus, comprising the following steps: a) the C-arm x-ray apparatus is moved to an initial position, in particular to an anterior-posterior position; b) a calibration image is produced; c) the position of the centre of projection in the radiation source of the C-arm x-ray apparatus is determined from the information of the calibration image and stored together with associated values for the orbital angle and the polar angle of the arm of the C-arm x-ray apparatus; d) the arm is moved to a number of calibration positions in a range of orbital angles and polar angles, and the relative position of the radiation source and the image intensifier of the C-arm x-ray apparatus is directly measured for each calibration position; e) the change in the position of the radiation source relative to the image intensifier of the C-arm x-ray apparatus is measured for each calibration position; f) the position of the centre of projection which applies to each

Abstract: A method for the superimposed depiction, on at least one screen, of overlapping recordings of a region to be imaged which is recorded in at least two recording steps, wherein multiple markers are fixedly provided in the region to be imaged, such that at least two recordings can be spatially produced, offset with respect to the markers, using an x-ray apparatus, wherein the recordings are registered relative to the marker, and the image data of accordingly registered recordings is mutually oriented by means of a common imaging protocol and depicted on the at least one screen in a superimposed way.

Abstract: A marker system and method are provided that can determine a shape and an axial location of a rotationally symmetrical hole in an instrument having a plurality of instrument markers.

Abstract: A marker navigation system for detecting and displaying locations of at least two reference devices, each reference device attachable to a corresponding object includes a detection device for detecting signals emitted from the at least two reference devices, a display device for displaying the locations of the at least two reference devices and/or the objects attached to the at least two reference devices based in accordance with display signals; and a data processing device.