Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involve an illumination assembly including a light module operable to generate and direct a visible light and a plurality of actuators to move the light module. Controller(s) coupled to the illumination assembly detect a condition related to a surgical object that is remote from the illumination assembly. The controller(s) control the actuators of the illumination assembly to move the light module to remotely direct the visible light at the surgical object such that the visible light is reflected by the surgical object to visibly communicate the detected condition.

Abstract: Surgical systems, methods and computer-program products involve a tracker coupled to a surgical object, a camera configured to sense positions and orientations of the tracker within its field of view, a display device, and one or more controllers. The controller(s) define an acceptable orientation range for the tracker relative to the camera based on an angle difference, acquire tracker positions and orientations, and execute a graphical user interface (GUI) to assist in positioning the camera and surgical object. The GUI presents a graphical representation of the field of view, a shape object indicating the tracker's current position, and the current angle difference between the tracker and camera. The GUI provides visual feedback by providing a solid-fill coloring of the shape object when the angle difference is within the acceptable range and a perimeter coloring of the shape object when the angle difference is outside the acceptable range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking or monitoring a robotic system. The robotic system has a base and a robotic arm coupled to the base. The robotic arm has a plurality of links and joints, a link tracker including a plurality of tracking elements located on a surface of at least one link, and a mounting interface. An end effector is configured to attach to the mounting interface and includes a surgical tool and an end effector tracker with at least one tracking element. A tracking system includes a localizer to detect the link tracker and the end effector tracker. The tracking system includes a controller to combine signals from the plurality of tracking elements of the link tracker and the at least one tracking element of the end effector tracker to establish a combined tracking geometry. The controller utilizes the combined tracking geometry to track or monitor the robotic system.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involve a tracker having at least one trackable component and a localizer configured to track states of the at least one trackable component. An illumination assembly is located remote from the tracker and is operable to direct a visible light. A controller is coupled to the localizer and to the illumination assembly. The controller is configured to detect a condition and control the illumination assembly to remotely direct the visible light at the tracker such that the visible light is reflected by the tracker to communicate the detected condition.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-program products are provided for aiding in positioning between a surgical object and a machine vision camera in a surgical environment. The machine vision camera senses a position and orientation of a surgical object in its field of view. Controller(s) virtually define a zone within the field of view that indicates a range of acceptable positions for the surgical object relative to a position of the machine vision camera. The controller(s) obtain an acceptable orientation range for the surgical object relative to an orientation of the machine vision camera. The controller(s) execute a GUI to simultaneously present, on the display device, representations of: the field of view; the zone within the field of view; the position of the surgical object relative to the zone; and a current angle difference between the surgical object and the machine vision camera.

Abstract: Surgical robotic systems and navigation systems employ a robotic arm including a plurality of links. A link tracker assembly is located on the surface of one or more of the links to enable the link to be tracked by a localizer. The link tracker assemblies can utilize a plurality of tracker elements that can be removably coupled to the link. A photosensor assembly is located on the surface of one or more of the links to receive signals from the localizer for controlling the link tracker assembly. The robotic arm can be coupled to a base and the systems can be used in collaboration with a base tracker that is coupled to the base. The robotic arm can also include a mounting interface for receiving an end effector and the systems can be used in collaboration with an end effector tracker that is coupled to the end effector.

Abstract: Surgical tracking, methods and software for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. A protective packaging retains the tool and has a trackable feature. The trackable feature has a predetermined state defined relative to the tool and the trackable feature is detectable by a machine vision system. One or more controllers acquire the actual state of the tool based on the detected trackable feature and compare the actual state of the tool with an expected state of the tool, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device and generate an alert.

Abstract: Navigation systems, methods and software for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. A protective packaging retains the tool and has a trackable feature. The trackable feature has a predetermined state defined relative to the tool and the trackable feature is detectable by a localizer. One or more controllers acquire the actual state of the tool based on the detected trackable feature and compare the actual state of the tool with an expected state of the tool, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device.

Abstract: A tracker for a navigation system. A tracker body defines an opening, and a lens is positionable to seal the opening. A plug is configured to be coupled to the tracker body to secure the lens. A tracking element may be disposed between the lens and the plug so as to be visible through the lens. The tracking element may be disposed within a sealed enclosure defined by the lens and the plug. The plug may define a counterbore in fluid communication with the opening, and the plug may be at least partially disposed within the counterbore. The plug may further define a groove, and the tracker may include a sealing element disposed within the groove. The plug may include a shoulder configured to in sealing engagement with the tracker body. Methods of assembling the tracker for use with the navigation system are also disclosed.

Abstract: First and second tracker assemblies each having a single optical marker are secured to a bone, with the first tracker assembly also including a motion sensor. A localizer optically tracks the optical marker positions, and a pose of a tracker coordinate system (TCS) associated with the tracker assemblies according to three positional DOF and two rotational DOF is determined from the tracked marker positions. Measurements from the motion sensor are utilized to determine an angle of inclination with respect to gravity, and an orientation of the TCS according to a further rotational DOF defined about a virtual line extending between the optical markers is determined from the angle of inclination. A pose of the bone according to six DOF is then determined from the determined pose of the TCS according to three positional and two rotational DOF and the orientation of the TCS according to the further rotational DOF.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involve a first and second trackers with trackable elements and which are independently secured to a bone and separated by a distance. A localizer tracks the trackable elements. Controller(s) define a tracking arrangement based on a combination of the trackable elements from the trackers. The controller(s) register a geometry of the tracking arrangement relative to the bone and track the bone by detection of the registered geometry. The controller(s) detect a condition wherein at least one trackable element has been displaced relative to the registered geometry. The controller(s) register a position of an anatomical landmark of the bone and use the landmark to identify the at least one trackable element that has been displaced.

Abstract: A navigation system includes a first and second tracker supports independently affixed to a rigid object and separated by a distance. A first plurality of trackable elements are secured to the first tracker support and a second plurality of trackable elements are secured to the second tracker support. A localizer tracks the trackable elements and controller(s) define a tracking arrangement to be tracked based on a combination of the first and second plurality of trackable elements. A geometry of the tracking arrangement is registered relative to the rigid object and the controller(s) track the rigid object by detecting the registered geometry. The controller(s) identify a condition wherein at least one trackable element has been displaced relative to the registered geometry, and in response, generate an instruction to a manipulator controller to interrupt operation of a robotic manipulator.

Abstract: A physical model configured to be physically altered by a surgical instrument for providing feedback related to a surgical plan specific to an anatomy of a patient. The physical model has a body including a physical volume representative of the anatomy of the patient and a geometrical feature embedded within the physical volume wherein the geometrical feature is visually distinct from a remainder of the physical volume and wherein the geometrical feature has parameters that are based on the surgical plan. The physical volume is configured to be at least partially removed by the surgical instrument such that the geometrical feature is configured to be exposed for providing visual feedback about an accuracy of the surgical plan and/or an accuracy of the surgical instrument in carrying out the surgical plan.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-program products are provided for aiding in positioning between a surgical object and a machine vision camera in a surgical environment. The machine vision camera senses a position and orientation of a surgical object in its field of view. Controller(s) virtually define a zone within the field of view that indicates a range of acceptable positions for the surgical object relative to a position of the machine vision camera. The controller(s) obtain an acceptable orientation range for the surgical object relative to an orientation of the machine vision camera. The controller(s) execute a GUI to simultaneously present, on the display device, representations of: the field of view; the zone within the field of view; the position of the surgical object relative to the zone; and a current angle difference between the surgical object and the machine vision camera.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods involve a tracker having at least one trackable component and a localizer configured to track states of the at least one trackable component. An illumination assembly is located remote from the tracker and is operable to direct a visible light. A controller is coupled to the localizer and to the illumination assembly. The controller is configured to detect a condition and control the illumination assembly to remotely direct the visible light at the tracker such that the visible light is reflected by the tracker to communicate the detected condition.

Abstract: A navigation system is disclosed which comprises a tracker having a trackable feature, a localizer configured to track states of the trackable feature within a field of view, an illumination assembly operable to direct light within the field of view, and a controller coupled to the localizer and to the illumination assembly. The controller is configured to receive the tracked states from the localizer, to determine a status condition of the tracker based on the tracked states received from the localizer, and to control the illumination assembly to direct light at the tracker such that light reflected by the tracker from the illumination assembly is visible to a user of the navigation system to communicate the status condition of the tracker.

Abstract: A surgical tracker assembly for use with a navigation system. The tracker assembly includes a tracker body defining a chamber configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB) including a plurality of markers that are actively energizable through the PCB. A plurality of openings formed in the tracker body and at least one channel formed in the tracker body extending between the chamber and one of the defined by the tracker body. Each of the markers are visible through one of the plurality of openings of the tracker body. The tracker body is configured to be sterilizable, with the PCB being located within the chamber of the tracker body, and the at least one channel is configured to enable sterilization fluid to enter into and drain from the chamber of the tracker body during sterilization. The PCB may also include a sterilization resistant protective coating.

Abstract: Surgical robotic systems and navigation systems employ a robotic arm including a plurality of links. A link tracker assembly is located on the surface of one or more of the links to enable the link to be tracked by a localizer. The link tracker assemblies can utilize a plurality of tracker elements that can be removably coupled to the link. A photosensor assembly is located on the surface of one or more of the links to receive signals from the localizer for controlling the link tracker assembly. The robotic arm can be coupled to a base and the systems can be used in collaboration with a base tracker that is coupled to the base. The robotic arm can also include a mounting interface for receiving an end effector and the systems can be used in collaboration with an end effector tracker that is coupled to the end effector.

Abstract: Navigation systems, methods and software for assisting in determining whether a tool is properly installed on a surgical device. A protective packaging retains the tool and has a trackable feature. The trackable feature has a predetermined state defined relative to the tool and the trackable feature is detectable by a localizer. One or more controllers acquire the actual state of the tool based on the detected trackable feature and compare the actual state of the tool with an expected state of the tool, which is based on an expected condition in which the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device. Based on the comparison, the one or more controllers can determine whether the tool is properly mounted to the surgical device.