Surgical Navigation System Component Fault Interfaces and Related Processes

Abstract

Devices and processes for use in computer aided or computer navigated surgery include one or more fault interfaces interposed between an indicium and an item to be used during surgery such as a body part, tool, implant, trial or other structure or component. After the indicia have been registered into the system and surgery begun, it is sometimes the case that indicia can be inadvertently moved or dislodged in position and/or orientation relative to the body part. Fault interfaces according to various embodiments are designed to fail first, so that the indicia can be repositioned relative to the item without the need to reregister the indicia into the system relative to the item. The fault interfaces preferably include structure that allows the indicium to be repositioned relative to the item so that it does not need to be reregistered into the system. Frame attachments which can by easily manufactured at relatively low cost, are disposable, and which are manufactured for single use are disclosed.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . A surgical navigation system comprising:
 sensors adapted to sense position of a plurality of indicia attached by a reference frame to a patient's body part involved in surgery, the reference frame including a reference frame attachment member;   a computer adapted to receive information from the sensor about position of the indicia and generate information corresponding to position and location of the body part to which the indicia are attached;   a base plate configured to attach by way of one or more attachment devices to a bone portion of the body part involved in surgery, the base plate having a bottom portion including one or more openings for the one or more attachment devices, and further having a first mating portion configured to mate with a second mating portion of the reference frame attachment member;   wherein one of the first mating portion and second mating portion comprises a receiving slot and the other of the first mating portion and said second mating portion comprises a key portion configured to mate with the receiving slot in only a single predetermined orientation, and such that movement of the key portion within the slot is substantially limited to back and forth movement along a single sliding direction within the receiving slot;   wherein one of the first mating portion and second mating portion further comprises a connection aid protrusion configured to engage a retaining portion in the other of the first mating portion and second mating portion, the connection aid protrusion configured to secure the key portion in a single predetermined position in the receiving slot.   
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the connection aid protrusion is a set screw and the retaining portion in the receiving slot is a conical shape opening in a bottom portion of the receiving slot. 
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the connection aid protrusion is a biased member configured to engage a groove within the receiving slot. 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 43 , further comprising an additional magnetic connection aid to assist securing the reference frame attachment member within the receiving slot. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the attachment devices are bone screws. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the reference frame comprises openings for receiving removable indicia. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the second mating portion of the reference frame attachment member and reference frame are molded as a single piece unitary reference frame. 
   
   
       48 . A method for performing a computer assisted surgical procedure comprising:
 providing sensors adapted to sense position of a plurality of indicia attached by a reference frame to a patient's body part involved in surgery, the reference frame including a reference frame attachment member;   providing a computer adapted to receive information from the sensor about position of the indicia and generate information corresponding to position and location of the body part to which the indicia are attached;   providing a base plate configured to attach by way of one or more attachment devices to a bone portion of the body part involved in surgery, the base plate having a bottom portion including one or more openings for the one or more attachment devices, and further having a first mating portion configured to mate with a second mating portion of the reference frame attachment member, wherein one of the first mating portion and second mating portion comprises a receiving slot and the other of the first mating portion and second mating portion comprises a key portion configured to mate with the receiving slot in only a single predetermined orientation, and such that movement of the key portion within the slot is substantially limited to back and forth movement along a single sliding direction within the receiving slot, and wherein one of the first mating portion and second mating portion further comprising a connection aid protrusion configured to engage a retaining portion in the other of the first mating portion and second mating portion, the connection aid protrusion configured to secure the key portion in a single predetermined position in the receiving slot;   attaching the base plate to a bone portion of the body part involved in surgery;   sliding the key portion into the receiving slot to attach the plurality of indicia to the body part involved in surgery in a predetermined orientation and securing the key portion in a predetermined position by use of the connection aid protrusion; and   performing the computer assisted surgical procedure based at least in part on information obtained from the position of the plurality of indicia.   
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the provided connection aid protrusion is a set screw and the retaining portion in the receiving slot is a conical shape opening in a bottom portion of the receiving slot, the method further comprising securing the key portion into the receiving slot by tightening the set screw. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the provided connection aid protrusion is a biased member configured to engage a groove within the receiving slot. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the provided key portion further comprises an additional magnetic connection aid to assist in securing the reference frame attachment member within the receiving slot. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the provided attachment devices are bone screws. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the provided reference frame comprises openings for receiving removable indicia, the method further comprising attaching the removable indicia to the reference frame. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the provided second mating portion of the reference frame attachment member and reference frame are molded as a single piece unitary reference frame. 
   
   
       55 . A surgical navigation device comprising:
 a reference frame for attaching a plurality of indicia to a patient's body part involved in surgery, the reference frame including a reference frame attachment member;   a base plate configured to attach by way of one or more attachment devices to a bone portion of the body part involved in surgery, the base plate having a bottom portion including one or more openings for the one or more attachment devices, and further having a first mating portion configured to mate with a second mating portion of the reference frame attachment member, wherein one of the first mating portion and second mating portion comprises a receiving slot and the other of the first mating portion and second mating portion comprises a key portion configured to mate with the receiving slot in only a single predetermined orientation, and such that movement of the key portion within the slot is substantially limited to back and forth movement along a single sliding direction within the receiving slot;   wherein one of the first mating portion and second mating portion further comprises a connection aid protrusion configured to engage a retaining portion in the other of the first mating portion and second mating portion, the connection aid protrusion configured to secure the key portion in a single predetermined position in the receiving slot.   
   
   
       56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the connection aid protrusion is a set screw and the retaining portion in the receiving slot is a conical shape opening in a bottom portion of the receiving slot. 
   
   
       57 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the attachment devices are bone screws. 
   
   
       58 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the second mating portion of the reference frame attachment member and reference frame are molded as a single piece unitary reference frame. 
   
   
       59 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the reference frame comprises openings for receiving removable indicia. 
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the connection aid protrusion is a biased member configured to engage a groove within the receiving slot and further comprises a magnetic attraction aid to assist securing the reference frame attachment member within the receiving slot.