Dave's Patent Content Factory
New Paragraph

Paragraphs

Clear
Actions Matter Content Para # Notes Modified
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In certain embodiments, the measurement circuit 330 may use feedback from a first sensor 510 to determine a reference axis. For example, a first sensor 510 such as an accelerometer or gyroscope or other electronic, magnetic, and/or electromechanical sensor may determine a horizontal plane relative to an orientation of the surgical device 200. Based on the horizontal plane, the measurement circuit 330 may determine that the reference axis is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The measurement circuit 330 may determine a horizontal plane determine the reference axis relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the horizontal plane may be a plane parallel to the ground or surface of an operating table and the reference axis may be perpendicular to the horizontal plane. 122 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In certain embodiments, the measurement circuit 330 uses an orientation sensor 510. The orientation sensor 510 may determine a horizontal plane parallel to the ground and/or an orientation of the orientation sensor 510 relative to the horizontal plane. Such an orientation sensor 510 can be used by the measurement circuit 330 to determine the reference axis and/or one or more orientation sensors 510 may be used to determine an orientation of the surgical device 200 relative to the reference axis. One example of an orientation sensor 510 may be a mercury switch, such as a mercury tilt switch. 123 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 Alternatively, or in addition, the electronic circuit 400 may include a memory media 560. The memory media 560 is configured to store data representative of the reference axis. The measurement circuit 330 may retrieve data indicating the reference axis from the memory media 560. Data defining the reference axis may be stored in the memory media 560 during fabrication, during a calibration operation (a zeroing out operation), or at another time. The memory media 560 may be any of a variety of storage media and/or storage devices. In one embodiment, the memory media 560 is a non-volatile storage media. "Non-volatile storage media" refers to any hardware, device, component, element, or circuit configured to maintain an alterable physical characteristic used to represent a binary value of zero or one after a primary power source is removed. Non-volatile storage media may be used interchangeably herein with the term non-volatile memory media. In addition to storing data indicating a reference axis, the memory media 560 can store a variety of other data, including a set of desired/target orientation angles, a last measured orientation angle, measured linear distance, logic for operating or initializing the control circuit 350 and/or the like. 124 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In certain embodiments, the electronic circuit 400 may be configured to enter a distance measuring mode. For example, in response to activation of a distance mode switch 260. In this mode, the measurement circuit 330 may serve to measure a linear distance. In certain embodiments, the measurement circuit 330 may include one or more transceivers 520. The one or more transceivers 520 of one surgical device 200 may send an electromagnetic wave pulse, magnetic wave pulse, or a light pulse to corresponding one or more transceivers of a second surgical device 200. The second surgical device 200 may be positioned at a point of origin and the surgical device 200 may be positioned at a destination point and the measurement circuit 330 may measure a linear distance between the two surgical devices based on characteristics of signals exchanged between the two surgical devices. The resulting linear measurement may be provided by the control circuit 350 to the output circuit 320 for communication to a user. 125 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In certain embodiments, the calibration circuit 340 determines a reference axis 130. The calibration circuit 340 may include one or more sensors 530 to facilitate determining the reference axis 130. The sensor 530 may be a level sensor, tilt sensor, or another type of sensor. The sensor 530 can determine a horizontal plane and the calibration circuit 340 may determine a reference axis 130 based on that determined horizontal plane. The In certain embodiments, the calibration circuit 340 and/or measurement circuit 330 may utilize the same sensors (e.g., a common accelerometer). In another embodiment, the calibration circuit 340 and measurement circuit 330 may each use separate sensors 510, 530. 126 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 FIG. 5 is a perspective cut-away view of a surgical field and an intraoperative angle measurement apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a surgical device 200c and how the surgical device 200c can be used intraoperatively within a surgical field 602. 127 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 The surgical device 200c may have many structures, features, and functions, operations, and configuration similar or identical to those of the surgical device 200a or surgical device 200b described above, like parts are identified with the same reference numerals. Accordingly, the surgical device 200c may include a shaft 210, a housing 220, a head 240, a handle 250, and/or an electronic circuit 300/400 (within the housing 220). 128 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In the illustrated embodiment, the surgical device 200c differs from the surgical device 200a or surgical device 200b because the surgical device 200c includes at least one surface of the housing 220 that is planar. In certain embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., first sensor 510 and/or sensor 530) may be used by the electronic circuit 300/400 to determine a reference axis 130 and/or a horizontal plane from which a reference axis 130 can be determined. Alternatively, or in addition, the electronic circuit 300/400 can determine a reference axis 130 by retrieving data from memory media 560 that defines the reference axis 130. 129 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In the illustrated embodiment, the surgical device 200c can use one of the planar surfaces of the housing 220 to determine a horizontal plane and/or reference axis 130. For example, the electronic circuit 300/400 can operate in a calibration mode to determine the horizontal plane and/or reference axis 130. The calibration mode can include placement of the housing 220 in a specific orientation, a known orientation, from which the electronic circuit 300/400 can determine the horizontal plane and/or reference axis 130 which in turn can be used to measure or determine orientation angles from either of the horizontal plane and/or reference axis 130. In one embodiment, the electronic circuit 300/400 may determine an orientation angle (e.g., angle A and/or angle B) based on a reference axis 130 perpendicular to a horizontal plane that parallel to a ML axis 122. The horizontal plane may be defined by one of the surfaces 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232 of the housing 220 during a calibration mode of the electronic circuit 300/400. 130 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 Now suppose, a surgical procedure, such as an orthopedic surgical procedure is to be performed on a patient. The patient may be positioned on an operating table in a prone position with the back of the patient facing upward. An area around, and/or including, the back of the patient may be prepared as a surgical field 602. FIG. 5 illustrates a cut-away view of the body 604, skin 606, and a vertebra 608 of the patient. 131 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 Now further suppose that a surgeon wants to use the surgical device 200c during the surgical procedure. The surgeon or an assistant may calibrate the surgical device 200c in preparation for use. Once calibrated, the surgical device 200c may rest within the surgical field 602 until needed. 132 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In the illustrated embodiment, the surgical device 200c may include a planar anterior surface 222, a planar posterior surface 224 (not shown in FIG. 5), a planar superior surface 226, a planar inferior surface 228, a planar first lateral surface 230 and a planar second lateral surface 232. The anterior surface 222 may include a user interface 254. In another embodiment, the posterior surface 224 may also include a user interface 254 and a user interface 254 on either side may be used by a user. Alternatively, or in addition, a user interface 254 may be on one side and a separate display 262 may be on each side or the same display 262 may be visible from either side of the housing 220. 133 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 The user interface 254 may include a zero-out switch 256, an angle mode switch 258, a distance mode switch 260, a display 262, an up arrow button 610, and a down arrow button 612. 134 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 To calibrate the surgical device 200c, a user may press the zero-out switch 256 (for example, a button) (i.e., activate a zeroing switch). Pressing the zero-out switch 256 may send a zero-out input signal to a calibration circuit 340 of the electronic circuit 300/400. In response to the zero-out input signal, the calibration circuit 340 may determine a horizontal plane 614 and/or reference axis 130. In certain embodiments, re-orienting the surgical device 200c for the calibration mode may not be needed. 135 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In the illustrated embodiment, the user may re-orient the surgical device 200c as part of the calibration process (calibration mode). After the zero-out switch 256 is activated or pressed a user may have some time (e.g., one to five seconds) to re-orient and/or position the surgical device 200c for the calibration circuit 340 to calibrate for orientation angle measurements. 136 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In one embodiment, the user may re-orient and/or position the surgical device 200c for the calibration by resting the superior surface 226 of the housing 220 on the surface of the skin 606 of the patient in a position substantially centered above a patient’s spine (e.g., one or more vertebrae 608). In this manner, the superior surface 226 (with the surgical device 200c positioned as shown in FIG. 5) serves to define, or serves as a suitable proxy to define, the horizontal plane 614 during a calibration mode. As explained above, the reference axis 130 can be defined as an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane 614. 137 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 The user may position the surgical device 200c as shown in FIG. 5 before, after, or while pressing or activating the zero-out switch 256 which can send a zero-out input signal from the user. Of course, embodiments of the surgical device 200c can be configured to calibrate to identify the horizontal plane 614 and/or reference axis 130 using any one or more of the surfaces of the housing 220. 138 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 In one embodiment, the electronic circuit 300/400 may indicate that the surgical device 200c is calibrated by causing the display 262 to display 0 degrees, or flash 0 degrees, or provide another output signal indicating the calibration is completed. In certain embodiments, once the surgical device 200c is calibrated, the surgical device 200c may start measuring and reporting/displaying an orientation angle of the shaft 210 (surgical device 200c). Alternatively, or in addition, the surgical device 200c may not measure and report/display orientation angles until the user presses the angle mode switch 258 indicating that the user is prepared to use the surgical device 200c and obtain orientation angle readings. 139 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 FIG. 6A is a perspective cut-away view of an intraoperative angle measurement apparatus, surgical device 200c, in use to contact a vertebra of a patient in a prone position in accordance with one embodiment. Advantageously, the surgical device 200c can be a small handheld portable device that can accurately determine or confirm an orientation angle for using confirming a pedicle insertion trajectory on vertebrae of a patient. 140 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM
View Edit
Delete 		TOY-1 The surgical device 200c may be used with a method for intraoperatively confirming a pedicle screw insertion trajectory on a vertebra of a patient. The method may start by positioning a patient on a table for a spinal surgery procedure such that a coronal plane of the patient is parallel to a floor supporting the table. Next, the surgical device 200c may be calibrated by positioning the surgical device 200c superficial to skin of the patient and substantially centering the surgical device 200c above the patient’s spine. Next, the surgical device 200c may be calibrated to set a reference axis for the hand-held surgical device relative to the patient’s spine. Next, a distal end 214 (e.g., bone probe 216) of the shaft 210 and/or surgical device 200c is placed on a surface of a pedicle of a vertebra of the patient’s spine. 141 Added by DJM 1 2022 1/19/22, 12:00 AM

Page 237 of 438, showing 20 record(s) out of 8,747 total