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Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the solutions provided in present disclosure may be accomplished with all, or less than all, of the components, structures, features, or aspects disclosed in the specification or illustrated in the figures in relation or a particular embodiment or claim. |
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Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the bone probe 216 may include any combination of the features illustrated and described in relation to FIGS. 7A-7E and 8A-8E. |
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FIG. 8E illustrates a bone probe 216 having a distal end that comes to a flat sharp point, like a chisel, and proximal end that includes threads that connect the bone probe 216 to a shaft 210. The threads on one or the other of the bone probe 216 and the shaft 210 may be corresponding internal and external threads. The corresponding internal and external threads enable the bone probe 216 to be modular and be connected to the shaft 210 or removed, as needed. |
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FIG. 8D illustrates a bone probe 216 having a distal end that comes to a flat sharp point, like a chisel, and is connected to, and/or formed with, the shaft 210. The flat sharp point facilitates the bone probe 216 remaining in contact with the cortical bone as an orientation angle is determined. |
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FIG. 8C illustrates a bone probe 216 having a distal end that comes to a sharp point and proximal end that includes threads that connect the bone probe 216 to a shaft 210. The threads on one or the other of the bone probe 216 and the shaft 210 may be corresponding internal and external threads. In the illustrated embodiment, the bone probe 216 may be modular and can be connected to the shaft 210. The bone probe 216 may include a plurality of tap threads on the external surface of the bone probe 216. The tap threads can be configured to cut internal threads into bone such that rotation of the bone probe 216 can form internal threads in the bone. In this manner, a surgeon may rotate the bone probe 216 either manually or with a powered driver to form internal threads for a fixation device, such as a pedicle screw. |
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The bone probe 216 may include a plurality of tap threads on the external surface of the bone probe 216. The tap threads can be configured to cut internal threads into bone such that rotation of the bone probe 216 can form internal threads in the bone. In this manner, a surgeon may rotate the bone probe 216 either manually or with a powered driver to form internal threads for a fixation device, such as a pedicle screw. |
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FIG. 8B illustrates a bone probe 216 having a distal end that includes a coaxial opening that extends from a distal end of the bone probe 216 to a proximal end. The coaxial opening may connect to an opening in, or be a same opening as one in, a shaft 210 such that the shaft 210 is cannulated. The coaxial opening may have a diameter that accepts passage of a variety of instruments that a surgeon may use as part of a procedure to deploy a fixation device (e.g., a pedicle screw). The coaxial opening may also facilitate the bone probe 216 remaining in contact with the cortical bone as an orientation angle is determined. |
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FIG. 8A illustrates a bone probe 216 having a distal end that comes to a sharp point and is connected to and/or formed with the shaft 210. The sharp point facilitates the bone probe 216 remaining in contact with the cortical bone as an orientation angle is determined. The bone probe 216 may include a plurality of tap threads on the external surface of the bone probe 216. The tap threads can be configured to cut internal threads into a preformed opening in bone such that rotation of the bone probe 216 can form internal threads in the bone. Alternatively, or in addition, the tap threads can be configured to cut internal threads and also form an opening in bone such that rotation of the bone probe 216 can form internal threads in a passage in the bone. In this manner, a surgeon may rotate the bone probe 216 either manually or with a powered driver to form internal threads for a fixation device, such as a pedicle screw. |
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In certain embodiments, the bone probe 216 of FIG. 7E may be a modular bone probe 216 such as the one illustrated in FIG. 7C that connects to a shaft 210. In one embodiment, the bone probe 216 is modular and is a cannulated drill bit. In another embodiment, the bone probe 216 (in any of the illustrated embodiments) is modular and planar and tapers to a point, for example such as with the distal end of an osteotome tip. |
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FIG. 7E illustrates a bone probe 216 having a distal end that includes a coaxial opening that extends from a distal end of the bone probe 216 to a proximal end. The coaxial opening may connect to an opening in, or be a same opening as, one in a shaft 210 such that the shaft 210 is cannulated. The bone probe 216 may include a plurality of threads or flutes on the external surface of the bone probe 216. The threads or flutes can be configured to cut into bone such that rotation of the bone probe 216 can cause the bone probe 216 to drill down through the cortical surface and into the bone. In this manner, a surgeon may rotate the bone probe 216 either manually or with a powered driver to penetrate the cortical bone at a trajectory angle provided by the surgical device 200c. Alternatively, or in addition, the coaxial opening may have a diameter that accepts passage of a variety of instruments that a surgeon may use as part of a procedure to deploy a fixation device (e.g., a pedicle screw). A surgeon may use the coaxial opening to insert a drill bit or a probe or other instrument into the bone probe 216 to deploy a fixation device. |
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The measurement circuit 330 is a circuit or device or module that measures a change in orientation of the shaft 210 (or surgical device 200) in relation to a reference axis. In one embodiment, the reference axis is an axis such as the reference axis 130 described in relation to FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the reference axis may be an axis determined by another circuit, sensor, or component of the surgical device 200. Alternatively, or in addition, the reference axis may be and stored in a storage media of the surgical device 200 for subsequent use. For example, the reference axis may be predetermined during fabrication, during operating room preparations, or another time before the surgical device 200 is used for a procedure. The data and/or value used to define and represent the reference axis may be stored in a storage media that can be included in the surgical device 200. |
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In certain embodiments, pressing a certain input button 410 may lock or freeze (temporarily) the current orientation angle value displayed on a display for review or use during a procedure. In one embodiment, a button 410 or switch 420 may be activated by a user shaking the surgical device 200, the shaking action may serve as user input data instructing the electronic circuit 400 to power on the electronic circuit 400. In one embodiment, one of the one or more switches 420 may be a zero-out switch configured to convey a zero-out signal. The zero-out signal may be communicated to a calibration circuit 340. The calibration circuit 340 may initiate a calibration feature in response to the zero-out signal. The calibration feature may include determining a reference axis for the electronic circuit 400. |
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The one or more buttons 410 may be each perform (or cause to be performed) a single function or operation or one or more of the buttons 410 may perform a plurality of functions or operations. For example, one button 410 may be a power on button, another button 410 may be a power off button, or the same button 410 may serve as both a power on button and a power off button. As a further example, a single button may serve as a power on button, a power off button, and/or a reset button. The reset function may delete a previously (permanently or temporarily) stored orientation angle. Like the one or more buttons 410 the one or more switches 420 may each perform (or cause to be performed) a single function or a plurality of functions. |
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Those of skill in the art appreciate that the input circuit 310 and/or output circuit 320 can have different configurations in different embodiments. Examples of input devices that the input circuit 310 may include are one or more buttons 410, one or more switches 420, one or more arrow buttons 430, a keypad 440, a keyboard 450, and the like. Examples of output devices that the output circuit 320 may include are one or more displays 460, one or more speakers 470, one or more lights 480, one or more haptic feedback devices 490, and the like. |
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FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment for an exemplary electronic circuit 400 that can be used. The electronic circuit 400 may have many structures, features, and functions, operations, and configuration similar or identical to those of the electronic circuit 300 described in relation to FIG. 3, like parts are identified with the same reference numerals. The electronic circuit 400 may include one or more of an input circuit 310, an output circuit 320, a measurement circuit 330, a calibration circuit 340, and a control circuit 350. However, certain of these components may have more or fewer features, devices, components, sub-circuits, or modules than those of the electronic circuit 300. |
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FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic circuit according to certain embodiments. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that an intraoperative angle measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure can include one or two features and/or functions of a plurality of features and functions. The number of features and/or functions provided by embodiments of an intraoperative angle measurement apparatus can change the configuration of the electronic circuit within the intraoperative angle measurement apparatus. The exemplary electronic circuit 400 illustrates certain features, devices, components, sub-circuits, or modules that can be implemented in certain embodiments. |
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The power supply 360 couples to the electronic circuit 300 and provides power to operate the electronic circuit 300. In one embodiment, the power supply 360 is a battery. The battery may be replaceable or nonreplaceable. In another embodiment, the power supply 360 may be a supercapacitor with sufficient power to supply the electronic circuit 300 with power for use in a single surgical procedure. "Power supply" refers to an electronic system, component, assembly, apparatus, or device configured to provide electrical power in the form of current to one or more devices, components, assemblies, and/or electronic circuits. Examples of a power supply include a battery, a wall power outlet socket, a power generator, and the like. |
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The control circuit 350 is coupled to the input circuit 310, the output circuit 320, the measurement circuit 330, and the calibration circuit 340. The control circuit 350 may manage the other circuits in the electronic circuit 300. Alternatively, or in addition, the control circuit 350 may determine an orientation angle (e.g., angle A and/or angle B) of the shaft 210/surgical device 200 relative to the reference axis 130. "Control circuit" refers to a circuit, sub-circuit, circuitry, electronic component, hardware, software, firmware, module, logic, device, or apparatus configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to direct, manage, oversee, and/or control the operation of one or more other circuits or components. |
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The calibration circuit 340 is a circuit or device or module that determines a reference axis, such as reference axis 130. In certain embodiments, the calibration circuit 340 may compute, calculate, or determine the reference axis 130. Alternatively, or in addition, the calibration circuit 340 may retrieve the reference axis 130 and/or a representation of the reference axis 130 from a storage media. In certain embodiments, the calibration circuit 340 may determine a reference axis in response to an input signal, such as a zero-out signal. In other embodiments, the calibration circuit 340 determine a reference axis based on signals or input from one or more sensors. |
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As used herein, a "sensor" refers to a device, component, circuit, system, chip, hardware, logic, or circuitry configured to detect, sense, and/or measure an attribute, feature, or characteristic of an environment, a space, a thing, an apparatus, a circuit, a component, and/or the like. Examples of a sensor include but are not limited to an accelerometer, a goniometer, a digital goniometer, a tiltmeter, an inclinometer, a potentiometer, a geomagnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, a dynamic acceleration sensor, a dynamic acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, a temperature sensor, and the like. In certain embodiments, a single sensor may detect, sense, and/or measure a single attribute, feature, or characteristic. In other embodiments, a single sensor may detect, sense, and/or measure a plurality of attributes, features, and/or characteristics. A sensor can be made up of analog, digital, electrical, mechanical, and/or electromechanical components and may function with or without an external power source. A sensor can employ a variety of technologies in order to detect, sense, and/or measure an attribute, feature, or characteristic. For example, certain sensors may use electronic signals, radio signals, electromagnetic signals, magnetic signals, light signals, sound signals, and the like. Certain sensors may include a receiver and/or a transmitter of signals or waves for performing the sensing feature. Often a sensor is configured to communicate information about a detected, sensed, and/or measured an attribute, feature, or characteristic to another electronic component or device. The information may be communicated using a wired connection or a wireless connection. |
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