Abstract: A tracker for a surgical navigation system, a tracker system, and a surgical navigation system are provided. The tracker comprises a carrier and an electrical circuit disposed on the carrier. The electrical circuit comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED, and a battery or a wireless power reception device configured to receive power wirelessly, wherein the battery or the wireless power reception device is configured to provide power to operate the at least one IR-LED. The electrical circuit is configured to limit a current for at least one of the at least one IR-LED to not exceed 15 mA.

Abstract: An adapter for removably coupling a tracker to a surgical handpiece includes a proximal member having an interface configured to engage and prevent rotation of the proximal member relative to the surgical handpiece, a distal member slidably and rotatably coupled to the proximal member, a biasing member disposed between the proximal distal members and configured to urge the proximal and distal members in opposing directions, and a tracking array mount coupled to the distal member. The biasing member is configured to be compressed by a reference feature of the end effector and the surgical handpiece when the distal member is disposed on the end effector and the end effector is coupled to the surgical handpiece, the compressed biasing member creating a frictional force between the distal and proximal members that resists rotation of the distal member relative to the proximal member.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical navigation system with the tracker, and a method of operating the tracker are described. The tracker comprises a first switch configured to be operated between a first switch configuration and a second switch configuration. The tracker also comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively emit electromagnetic radiation with a first radiation characteristic or a second radiation characteristic. The tracker further comprises electrical circuitry configured to selectively control the one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation having the first radiation characteristic in the first switch configuration and to emit electromagnetic radiation having the second radiation characteristic in the second switch configuration, wherein the second radiation characteristic is different from the first radiation characteristic.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical navigation system with the tracker, and a method of operating the tracker are described. The tracker comprises a first switch configured to be operated between a first switch configuration and a second switch configuration. The tracker also comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively emit electromagnetic radiation with a first radiation characteristic or a second radiation characteristic. The tracker further comprises electrical circuitry configured to selectively control the one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation having the first radiation characteristic in the first switch configuration and to emit electromagnetic radiation having the second radiation characteristic in the second switch configuration, wherein the second radiation characteristic is different from the first radiation characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining a relationship between a surgical object and a tracker coupled to the surgical object. A first optical sensor senses light in an infrared spectrum or a near-infrared spectrum. A second optical sensor senses light in a visible light spectrum. Controller(s) acquire one or more first images of the tracker from the first optical sensor and acquire one or more second images of the surgical object from the second optical sensor. The controller(s) recognize a pose of the tracker based on the one or more first image and recognize a geometry of the surgical object based on the one or more second images. The controller(s) correlate the recognized pose of the tracker and the recognized geometry of the surgical object to define a relationship between the tracker and the surgical object.

Abstract: A controller for a surgical navigation system is presented. The controller is configured to receive a position signal from a tracking system, wherein the position signal is indicative of a position of a hand-held surgical device that is tracked by the surgical navigation system inside an operation environment. The controller is further configured to receive sound signals from a plurality of microphones directed toward the operation environment, wherein the sound signals potentially contain one or more voice commands from one or more voice sources inside the operation environment. The controller is configured to process the sound signals dependent on the position signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibration of a surgical tool having a tracker. At least one camera captures images of the tracker at a first exposure and captures images of the surgical tool at a second exposure with a different exposure time and/or illumination than the first exposure. Controller(s) recognize a pose of the tracker based on the first exposure images and recognize a geometry of the surgical tool based on the second exposure images. The controller(s) correlate the recognized pose of the tracker and the recognized geometry of the surgical tool to define a relationship between the tracker and the surgical tool and calibrate the surgical tool based on the defined relationship.

Abstract: A method, a computer program product, a device, and a surgical navigation system for determining a marker arrangement that defines positions of markers of a tracker are provided. The markers are detectable by a first imaging modality and a second imaging modality that is different from the first imaging modality. The method comprises receiving first image data of the markers that were captured using the first imaging modality and receiving second image data of the markers that were captured using the second imaging modality. The method further comprises determining the marker arrangement based on the first and second image data.

Abstract: A technique for determining a need for a re-registration of a patient tracker with medical image data of a patient is presented. The patient tracker comprises an acceleration sensor configured to generate inertial data indicative of an acceleration of the patient tracker. A method implementation of the technique comprises the following steps performed by a processor: receiving inertial data acquired by the acceleration sensor, analyzing the received inertial data, or data derived therefrom, with respect to at least one first predetermined condition indicative of a drift of the tracker or an impact on the tracker, and generating, when the at least one first predetermined condition is fulfilled, at least a first re-registration signal.

Abstract: A tracker system for determining poses of at least two vertebrae and a computer-implemented method of using the tracker system are presented. The tracker system comprises a first and second trackers, trackable in 5 degrees of freedom (DOF), and attachable to a first and second vertebra, respectively. A tracking coordinate system is registered in 6 DOF with an image coordinate system associated with first image data taken by a medical imaging system and indicative of the first and second vertebra. The method includes receiving intraoperative tracking data and determining, from the received intraoperative tracking data, tracker poses of the first tracker and the second tracker in 5 DOF. Further still, the method comprises determining, from the tracker poses and based on the registration of the tracking coordinate system with the image coordinate system, poses of the first vertebra and the second vertebra in 5 DOF.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical tracking system, and a method for operating the tracker are provided. The tracker comprises an interface configured to attach the tracker to a surgical object that is to be tracked. The tracker further comprises circuitry comprising a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate a trigger signal upon detection of a change of intensity of electromagnetic radiation by the detector. The circuitry further comprises a plurality of emitters configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the circuitry is configured to control the plurality of emitters to emit electromagnetic radiation responsive to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A tracker for a surgical navigation system and a method for manufacturing the tracker are presented. The tracker comprises a layer stack that comprises a substrate with at least one reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation. The layer stack further comprises a printed absorbent layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation, wherein the printed absorbent layer covers less than the entire reflective surface.

Abstract: A tracker, a surgical navigation system with the tracker, and a method of operating the tracker are described. The tracker comprises a first switch configured to be operated between a first switch configuration and a second switch configuration. The tracker also comprises one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively emit electromagnetic radiation with a first radiation characteristic or a second radiation characteristic. The tracker further comprises electrical circuitry configured to selectively control the one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation having the first radiation characteristic in the first switch configuration and to emit electromagnetic radiation having the second radiation characteristic in the second switch configuration, wherein the second radiation characteristic is different from the first radiation characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibration of a surgical tool having a tracker. At least one camera captures images of the tracker at a first exposure and captures images of the surgical tool at a second exposure with a different exposure time and/or illumination than the first exposure. Controller(s) recognize a pose of the tracker based on the first exposure images and recognize a geometry of the surgical tool based on the second exposure images. The controller(s) correlate the recognized pose of the tracker and the recognized geometry of the surgical tool to define a relationship between the tracker and the surgical tool and calibrate the surgical tool based on the defined relationship.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a radius of a spherically shaped surface portion of a tip of an instrument. A first pose of a first tracker and a second pose of a second tracker may be determined while the spherically shaped surface portion is in abutment with a calibration structure. A reference position of a first reference point relative to the second tracker may be determined when the first tracker is in the first pose and the second tracker is in the second pose based on the first pose, the second pose, and a first predetermined relationship. A third pose of the first tracker and a fourth pose of the second tracker may be determined. The radius of the spherically shaped surface portion may be determined based on the third pose, a second predetermined relationship, a reference position, the fourth pose, and an opening angle.

Abstract: A connecting member includes a fastening portion configured to be fastened to an object by an adhesive. The connecting member includes at least one supply opening for supplying the adhesive and at least one discharge opening for discharging a part of the adhesive, wherein the at least one supply opening and the at least one discharge opening are arranged outside of a fastening portion or at least outside of a fastening area. A channel connecting the at least one supply opening and the at least one discharge opening is configured to direct the flow of adhesive. The channel includes an open channel portion that at least partly extends on a surface of the fastening portion and that comprises at least one redirecting portion configured to redirect the flow of adhesive between the at least one supply opening and the at least one discharge opening.

Abstract: Navigation systems and methods for tracking physical objects near a target site during a surgical procedure are provided, the navigation system comprises a robotic device and an instrument attached to the robotic device; a process of optical registration and calibration can improve operation results by increasing accuracy and speed and eliminate the need for additional reference trackers, such as a pointer.

Abstract: A controller for a surgical navigation system is presented. The controller is configured to receive a position signal from a tracking system, wherein the position signal is indicative of a position of a hand-held surgical device that is tracked by the surgical navigation system inside an operation environment. The controller is further configured to receive sound signals from a plurality of microphones directed toward the operation environment, wherein the sound signals potentially contain one or more voice commands from one or more voice sources inside the operation environment. The controller is configured to process the sound signals dependent on the position signal.

Abstract: An optical tracker usable with a surgical object, the optical tracker includes a tracker frame including a mounting body, which defines an instrument engaging aperture having a longitudinal axis, and an offset body protruding proximally from the mounting body. The instrument engaging aperture is configured to receive a proximal region of the surgical instrument such that the longitudinal axis of the tracker is aligned with an axis of the surgical instrument. The tracker may further include a tracking array coupled to the tracker frame and comprising a mounting fixture and a plurality of LED emitters coupled thereto. The optical tracker may further comprise at least three apex points defined by the tracker frame that extend to a height above the LED emitters.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system is provided. The surgical navigation system comprises a camera system comprising at least one camera. The camera system is capable of capturing images of light that is filtered through at least three different polarization angles. The surgical navigation system further comprises a processor having access to three dimensional image data of a surgical object. The processor is configured to determine first surface normals from the three dimensional image data of the surgical object. The processor is further configured to determine second surface normals from at least three images captured by the camera system of the surgical object under different polarization angles. The processor is configured to align the first surface normals with the second surface normals. Furthermore, a method for operating a surgical navigation system is provided.