Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involve an anatomy tracker to be coupled to a patient anatomy. The anatomy tracker includes optical markers and a non-optical sensor. A navigation system includes a camera unit that can track a pose of the anatomy tracker based on optical detection of the optical markers. The navigation system detects a condition wherein at least one of the optical markers is blocked from optical detection by the camera unit. In response to detection of the condition, the navigation system utilizes readings from the non-optical sensor to track the pose of the anatomy tracker.

Abstract: A surgical tracker and method of operating the same involve the surgical tracking including one or more tracking markers, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, an infrared (IR) receiver, and a tracker controller coupled to the RF transmitter and the IR receiver. The tracker controller obtains sensor data and operates the IR receiver to wirelessly receive a command to manage an operating parameter of the surgical tracker with respect to RF communication. The tracker controller operates the RF transmitter to wirelessly transmit the sensor data using RF communication managed in accordance with the operating parameter.

Abstract: Surgical systems, navigation systems, and methods involving a robotic manipulator configured to control movement of an instrument to facilitate a surgical procedure. The navigation system includes a camera unit configured to optically track a pose of the instrument and a non-optical sensor coupled to the instrument. The navigation system includes a computing system coupled to the camera unit and being configured to obtain readings from the non-optical sensor. The computing system detects a condition whereby the camera unit is blocked from optically tracking the pose of the instrument. In response to detection of the condition, the computing system tracks the pose of the instrument with the readings from the non-optical sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a navigation system configured to track an object. The navigation system comprises a tracker configured to couple to the object and a localization device configured to track the tracker. The tracker and the localization device are configured to wirelessly communicate using a first communication method operable on a first spectrum and to wirelessly communicate using a second communication method operable on a second spectrum different from the first spectrum. The localization device utilizes the first communication method to track the tracker and utilizes the first communication method to manage an operating parameter of the tracker with respect to the second communication method.

Abstract: Surgical systems, navigation systems, and methods involving a robotic manipulator configured to control movement of an instrument to facilitate a surgical procedure. The navigation system includes a camera unit configured to optically track a pose of the instrument and a non-optical sensor coupled to the instrument. The navigation system includes a computing system coupled to the camera unit and being configured to obtain readings from the non-optical sensor. The computing system detects a condition whereby the camera unit is blocked from optically tracking the pose of the instrument. In response to detection of the condition, the computing system tracks the pose of the instrument with the readings from the non-optical sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that utilize a robotic device supporting and moving a cutting tool in at least three degrees of freedom. A control system commands the robotic device to control or constrain movement of the cutting tool. A first tracker is coupled to the robotic device and a second tracker is coupled to an anatomy. The second tracker includes three markers that generate optical signals and a non-optical sensor that generates non-optical signals. A navigation system with an optical sensor is in communication with the control system. The navigation system receives, with the optical sensor, the optical signals from one or more of the three markers and receives the non-optical signals from the non-optical sensor. The navigation system communicates position data indicative of a position of the anatomy to the control system to control cutting of the anatomy based on the received optical and non-optical signals.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a body. A sensor is attached to the substrate to be tracked by the surgical navigation system. An ultrasonic imaging device is attached to the substrate to determine a position of the anatomical structure. A first circuit calculates a global position of the anatomical structure by correlating a position of the sensor and the position of the anatomical structure. The first circuit determines the global position without the use of an image of the anatomical structure, and may do so without the use of a reference device invasively affixed to the body. A second circuit displays the global position of the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a positional device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that utilize a robotic device supporting and moving a cutting tool in at least three degrees of freedom. A control system commands the robotic device to control or constrain movement of the cutting tool. A first tracker is coupled to the robotic device and a second tracker is coupled to an anatomy. The second tracker includes three markers that generate optical signals and a non-optical sensor that generates non-optical signals. A navigation system with an optical sensor is in communication with the control system. The navigation system receives, with the optical sensor, the optical signals from one or more of the three markers and receives the non-optical signals from the non-optical sensor. The navigation system communicates position data indicative of a position of the anatomy to the control system to control cutting of the anatomy based on the received optical and non-optical signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a navigation system configured to track an object. The navigation system comprises a tracker configured to couple to the object and a localization device configured to track the tracker. The tracker and the localization device are configured to wirelessly communicate using a first communication method operable on a first spectrum and to wirelessly communicate using a second communication method operable on a second spectrum different from the first spectrum. The localization device utilizes the first communication method to track the tracker and utilizes the first communication method to manage an operating parameter of the tracker with respect to the second communication method.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize optical sensors and non-optical sensors to determine the position and/or orientation of objects. A navigation system includes an optical sensor for receiving optical signals from markers and a non-optical sensor, such as a gyroscope, for generating non-optical data. A navigation computer determines positions and/or orientations of objects based on optical and non-optical data.

Abstract: High bandwidth, low latency hybrid communication techniques are disclosed for a navigation system. The navigation system comprises a tracker configured to couple to the object and a localization device configured to track the tracker. In one embodiment, the localization device is configured to utilize communication on a first spectrum to track the tracker and to manage an operating parameter of the tracker with respect to communication on a second spectrum. In another embodiment, the localization device is configured to utilize communication with a first modulation method to track the tracker and to manage an operating parameter of the tracker and to utilize communication with a second modulation method for receiving sensor data from the tracker.

Abstract: High bandwidth, low latency hybrid communication techniques are disclosed for a navigation system. The navigation system comprises a tracker configured to couple to the object and a localization device configured to track the tracker. In one embodiment, the localization device is configured to utilize communication on a first spectrum to track the tracker and to manage an operating parameter of the tracker with respect to communication on a second spectrum. In another embodiment, the localization device is configured to utilize communication with a first modulation method to track the tracker and to manage an operating parameter of the tracker and to utilize communication with a second modulation method for receiving sensor data from the tracker.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize optical sensors and non-optical sensors to determine the position and/or orientation of objects. A navigation system includes an optical sensor for receiving optical signals from markers and a non-optical sensor, such as a gyroscope, for generating non-optical data. A navigation computer determines positions and/or orientations of objects based on optical and non-optical data.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize optical sensors and non-optical sensors to determine the position and/or orientation of objects. A navigation system includes an optical sensor for receiving optical signals from markers and a non-optical sensor, such as a gyroscope, for generating non-optical data. A navigation computer determines positions and/or orientations of objects based on optical and non-optical data.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize optical sensors and non-optical sensors to determine the position and/or orientation of objects. A navigation system includes an optical sensor for receiving optical signals from markers and a non-optical sensor, such as a gyroscope, for generating non-optical data. A navigation computer determines positions and/or orientations of objects based on optical and non-optical data.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize optical sensors and non-optical sensors to determine the position and/or orientation of objects. A navigation system includes an optical sensor for receiving optical signals from markers and a non-optical sensor, such as a gyroscope, for generating non-optical data. A navigation computer determines positions and/or orientations of objects based on optical and non-optical data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a positional device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a positional device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize optical sensors and non-optical sensors to determine the position and/or orientation of objects. A navigation system includes an optical sensor for receiving optical signals from markers and a non-optical sensor, such as a gyroscope, for generating non-optical data. A navigation computer determines positions and/or orientations of objects based on optical and non-optical data.