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FIGS. 2A-2C, and 2E illustrate a bone probe 216 with a configuration for engaging and remaining stationary on a bone surface of a patient. In one embodiment, the bone probe 216 may include a point/tip 264. The point/tip 264 may be at the distal end 214 of the shaft 210 and/or surgical device 200a. |
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In one embodiment, one of the surfaces (e.g., posterior surface 224) may include a door or hatch that provides access to an internal battery or other power supply for the surgical device 200a. In another example, a surface may include a port for connecting an external power supply to the surgical device 200a either for primary power or for charging an internal power supply. |
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Those of skill in the art appreciate that a variety of different user interfaces 254 can be used with the surgical device 200a. For example, a single button or switch may toggle a state, feature, or function of the surgical device 200a between an angle mode and a distance mode. Alternatively, or in addition, the user interface 254 may be a touch screen with representation of buttons or switches displayed that respond when a user touches that part of the screen. |
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The user interface 254 can receive input data from a user by way of zeroing switch, such as zero-out switch 256 and display output data to a user on a display device (e.g., display 262). The zero-out switch 256 may convey a zero-out signal to the electronic circuit 300. The angle mode switch 258 may change an operating mode of the electronic circuit 300 from measuring distance to measuring an orientation angle of the shaft 210/surgical device 200a. The distance mode switch 260 may change an operating mode of the electronic circuit 300 from measuring an orientation angle of the shaft 210/surgical device 200a to measuring a distance between the surgical device 200a and a second surgical device. Details of the zero-out switch 256, angle mode switch 258, and/or distance mode switch 260 are discussed below. |
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"Display device" refers to any apparatus, device, component, module, circuit, sub-circuit, structure, electronic component, hardware, or logic configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to display, show, or present one or more visual images and/or videos to a user. A display device can use analog or digital technologies. Examples of a display device include one or more LEDs, a seven segment display, an LCD display, an LED display, and the like. |
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"Mode" refers to a state of operation for a circuit, sub-circuit, circuitry, electronic component, hardware, software, firmware, module, logic, device, button, lever, or apparatus. When a mode is activated the circuit, sub-circuit, circuitry, electronic component, hardware, software, firmware, module, logic, device, or apparatus may perform one or more set of functions that are different from when the mode is not activated. Often "mode" is used with a modifier describing and differentiating one mode or operating state from another, for example an "operating mode" relates to a mode of operation, a "calibration mode" relates to a mode of calibrating, a "distance mode" relates to distance operations, and an "angle mode" relates to angles. "Switch" refers to a circuit, sub-circuit, circuitry, electronic component, hardware, software, firmware, module, logic, device, button, lever, or apparatus configured, programmed, designed, arranged, or engineered to close an electronic circuit and/or couple one electronic component or circuit with another. In one embodiment, the switch is configured to send a signal to another electronic component when the switch is activated ("closed"). |
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The user interface 254 can include a zero-out switch 256 (also referred to as a Zeroing switch), an angle mode switch 258, a distance mode switch 260, and/or a display 262. "Zero-out" or "Zeroing" refers to a feature or function of a measuring device, apparatus, or circuit that adjusts or calibrates a measurement system of the measuring device to start using a new reference indicator as a zero point or state for subsequent measurements. The feature can be initiated by an electronic signal, also referred to as a zero-out signal or zero-out input signal, user input or user input data, generated in response to activation of a zero-out button or zero-out switch. A zero-out feature can be used to compensation for errors inherent in a measuring device. A zero-out feature can also be used to set a new zero state or zero point for subsequent measurements taken compensation for errors inherent in a measuring device. A variety of attributes measurable by a measuring device can be measuring using the zero-out feature including, but not limited to, weight (aka tare feature), angle, tilt, tilt axis, rotation, static acceleration, dynamic acceleration, and the like. In certain embodiments, the zero-out switch 256 may serve two functions, first to provide a zero-out input signal and second the zero-out switch 256 may serve as a power-on and/or power-off switch/button. |
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Spinal surgeries have advanced to address a variety of spinal conditions including scoliosis, spondylosis, kyphosis, lordosis, and the like. Certain spinal procedures include the use and placement of fixation devices and/or implants connected to, deployed into, or deployed between vertebrae of the spine. A spine includes a number of vertebrae interconnected by soft tissue of the body. |
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"Output data" refers to data provided from one device, component, circuit, or apparatus to another device, component, circuit, or apparatus. Examples of output data can include activation of a light, activation of a switch, data values, audio signals, video signals, images, videos, and the like. "Input data" refers to data identified, used, collected, gathered, and/or generated to serve as input to another component, circuit, driver, device, manager, control circuit, storage media, storage device, or controller. The input data can be in analog or digital format and can represent a data signal and/or one or more data values. |
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"Data" refers to a set of information organized in a way that facilitates communication of the information to a receiver. The receiver may be a person or animal or an electronic component, circuit, assembly, or the like. Data can be represented as signal or values represented in any numbering and/or alphabet system. Data can be stored in one representation in an analog or digital format and conveyed to a receiver in another format suitable for the receiver to interpret and understand the data. Data can be organized in a structured or unstructured format. "Structured data" refers to data within a data structure that is organized according to a predefined format, protocol, or configuration such that the structure may be used to facilitate working with the data. Examples of structured data include, but are not limited to, files, databases, database records, database tables, database schemas, serialized objects, directories, and the like. "Unstructured data" refers to data stored without a particular organization, predefined format, protocol, or configuration. Examples of unstructured data include, but are not limited to, content of a text message, content of an email message, text content of a file, content of a document, and the like. Often data will be used in connection with one or more adjectives that identify a type or purpose for the data, examples include "user data", "input data", "output data", "sensor data", "patient data", "system data", and the like. "Sensor data" refers to any data or information registered by one or more sensors. Examples of sensor data include an amount of current passing through the sensor, an amount of voltage across the sensor, an amount of electrical resistance through the sensor, an amount of strain experienced by the sensor, an acceleration vector, a deceleration vector, an orientation, an orientation angle, a direction, and the like. |
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As used herein, an "interface," "user interface," or "engagement interface" refers to an area, a boundary, or a place at which two separate and/or independent structures, members, apparatus, assemblies, components, and/or systems join, connect, are coupled, or meet and act on, or communicate, mechanically or electronically, with each other. In certain embodiments, "interface" may refer to a surface forming a common boundary of two bodies, spaces, structures, members, apparatus, assemblies, components, or phases. (search "interface" on Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2021. Web. 15 Nov. 2021. Modified.) In certain embodiments, the term interface may be used with an adjective that identifies a type or function for the interface. For example, an engagement interface may refer to one or more structures that interact or connect to mechanically join or connect two separate structures, each connected to a side of the interface. In another example, a user interface may refer to one or more mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical structures that interact with or enable a user to provide user input, instructions, input signals, data, or data values and receive output, output data, or feedback. |
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Each of the surfaces may include one or more features. For example, the anterior surface 222 may include a user interface 254. The user interface 254 enables a user to input data and/or provide instructions to the surgical device 200a and receive feedback, data, output data, or output from the surgical device 200a. The user interface 254 may include a combination of one or more switches, buttons, displays, speakers, or other input devices and/or output devices. |
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In certain embodiments, the surgical device 200a can be used with cortical bone that is not fully exposed. In certain embodiments, the bone probe 216 and/or shaft 210 can be configured to pierce soft tissue such as muscle, skin, or ligaments until the bone probe 216 contacts a bone surface. In this manner, smaller incisions can be used with less trauma to the soft tissue. The lower trauma can lead to faster recovery times. In certain embodiments, the flange 252 can facilitate insertion of the bone probe 216 and/or shaft 210 into soft tissue for measuring an orientation angle. |
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The handle 250 serves as a convenient structure for handling, manipulating, and using the surgical device 200a. In certain embodiments, the handle 250 is coaxial with the shaft 210 and positioned between the bone probe 216 and the proximal end 212 of the shaft 210. Of course, the handle 250 may be positioned at other location on the surgical device 200a and/or other parts of a surgical device 200a may serve as a handle 250. As used herein, a "handle" refers to a structure used to hold, control, or manipulate a device, apparatus, component, tool, or the like. A “handle” may be designed to be grasped and/or held using one or two hands of a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 250 may include a flange 252 at a distal end of the handle 250. The flange 252 may press against soft tissue of a patient and keep the soft tissue from contacting or surrounding the handle 250. In certain embodiments, the flange 252 may be conical in shape. |
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In certain embodiments, the bone probe 216 is configured to penetrate into cortical bone of a patient. In particular, the bone probe 216 may include a point at its distal end and the point may enable the bone probe 216 to penetrate the cortical bone in response to an axial force from a user. |
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In certain embodiments, a surgeon may apply a driving force to the head 240 and the driving force may create a pedicle screw pilot hole in a vertebra of the patient. The surgeon may apply the driving force when the surgical device 200a is at a desired orientation angle. In this manner, the surgeon can create a pedicle screw pilot hole at the desired orientation angle. The pedicle screw pilot hole can establish a desired pedicle screw trajectory for subsequent deployment of the pedicle screw. "Pilot hole" refers to a hole, void, opening, channel, space, or passage that extends from one side of a structure into the structure. A pilot hole can serve as a guide for a fixation device subsequently placed into the pilot hole. A pilot hole can facilitate deployment of the fixation device within the structure. |
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The head 240 may serve as a contact point for a surgeon to apply an axial force to the surgical device 200a. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 240 is coupled to the shaft 210 at the proximal end 212 and a center of the head 240 may align with a longitudinal axis of the surgical device 200a and/or shaft 210. A surgeon may apply the axial force to the head to cause the bone probe 216 to penetrate into the cortical bone of the patient. The axial force may be applied when the shaft 210 is oriented at a desired orientation angle. A surgeon may apply the axial force by striking or pressing the head 240 with the surgeon’s hand or fingers or with an instrument such as a mallet or hammer. In one embodiment, the shaft 210 includes the head 240 near the proximal end 212. The head 240 may be configured to receive a strike and the bone probe 216 may be configured to penetrate cortical bone of a patient in response to the strike. |
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FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of vertebra bone illustrating certain parts of the vertebra bone. |
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FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-away view of a surgical field and an intraoperative angle measurement apparatus according to one embodiment. |
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FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic circuit according to certain embodiments. |
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