Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the monitoring system may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system comprises one or more pattern tags, each comprising a plurality of contrasting portions, a tracker for obtaining image information about the pattern tags, a database with geometric information describing patterns on pattern tags; and a controller for receiving and processing the image information from the tracker, accessing the database to retrieve geometric information, and comparing the image information with the geometric information. The contrasting portions are arranged in a rotationally asymmetric pattern and at least one of the contrasting portions on a pattern tag has a perimeter that has a mathematically describable curved section. The perimeter of the contrasting portion may comprise a conic section, including for example an ellipse or a circle. The tracking system can be implemented in a surgical monitoring system in which the pattern tags are attached to tracking markers or are themselves tracking markers.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a surgical site employs a fiducial reference with attached tracking marker. The marker may be tracked by a tracker. Image information about the surgical site is provided to a controller that updates a model of the surgical site derived from a prior scan of the surgical site. The system and method allow the user to select between monitoring the real surgery and performing virtual surgery using a digital manipulator device. The system may be operated with the user located remotely from the surgical site and operating a remotely operable surgical instrument controlled by the digital manipulator device. The system can select between employing a stationary model and a model that is updated in real time based on the real time image information from the surgical site. The manipulator device may be a haptic feedback device and the haptic feedback may be optionally employed.

Abstract: A method, system and software are presented for making a trackable mount for assisting with surgery within a surgical site, the trackable mount being trackable by a tracker disposed to obtain image information of the surgical site. A software model of the trackable mount is created based on scan data of the surgical site, and the making of the trackable mount is based on model data derived from the software model. The exterior shape of the trackable mount may incorporate a tracking marker, or tracking pole, or both. A system for executing the method consists of scan data of the surgical site, a controller with memory and processor, and a manufacturing device. In one embodiment the manufacturing device is a rapid prototyping machine. Software is presented for executing the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical monitoring system and method for modeling surgical procedures. A multi-element fiducial reference pattern observable by a tracker may be transferred directly to the skin proximate the surgical site, either through a stencil as a radio-opaque ink pattern or via transfer tape, or may be applied in prepared form on a surgical incise film. Alternatively the surgical incise film may be applied over the surgical site and the inked reference pattern applied to the film before surgery. A controller determines the three-dimensional location and orientation of the surgical site by comparing the position and orientation of the reference pattern in a prior scan with the position and orientation of the reference pattern in image information about the surgical site obtained from the tracker. The system may track the movement of instruments relative to the surgical site, or may be used to track changes in the surgical site itself.

Abstract: A surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the monitoring system may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure. In a further embodiment the monitoring system can be used to model and track the changes in the surgical site itself.

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method which allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the hardware may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure.