Smart pedicle tool

Abstract

Various methods and devices are provided for navigating through bone. In one embodiment, a bone navigation device is provided and includes a bone penetrating member configured to be implanted in bone and having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough. The optical waveguide is adapted to illuminate tissue surrounding the device and to receive reflected/transmitted light from the tissue to determine the optical characteristics of the tissue, thus facilitating navigation through the tissue. At least one window can be formed in the bone penetrating member for allowing light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the tissue, and for receiving the reflected light.

1 . A method of implanting a device, comprising:
 inserting a device into tissue;   illuminating tissue surrounding an opening formed in the device with light emitted from at least one optical waveguide extending through the device; and   detecting light reflected back from the tissue as detected light, wherein a processor determines whether the tissue is soft tissue or neural tissue based on the detected light.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein illuminating the tissue comprises illuminating tissue surrounding a plurality of openings formed in a threaded sidewall of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising emitting light from the at least one optical waveguide in the visible to near infrared range. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a bone screw. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the device into tissue comprises driving the device into the tissue using a driver. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising removing the at least one optical waveguide from the device through the driver. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repositioning the device in the tissue based on whether the tissue is determined to be soft tissue or neural tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a signaling mechanism disposed on the device to provide distinct signals based on whether the tissue is determined to be soft tissue or neural tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising emitting light from the at least one optical waveguide having a known wavelength. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising comparing a wavelength of the detected light with known values indicating tissue composition to determine whether the tissue is soft tissue or neural tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repositioning the device axially to determine whether the tissue is soft tissue or neural tissue at a plurality of depths. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repositioning the device radially to determine whether the tissue is soft tissue or neural tissue at a plurality of locations radially surrounding the device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a signal indicating a portion of the tissue into which the device can be implanted. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising illuminating an LED to generate the signal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a warning signal indicating a portion of the tissue into which the device cannot be implanted. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of openings are spaced along a length of the device such that illuminating the tissue comprises illuminating the tissue at a plurality of depths. 
     
     
         17 . A method of determining the composition of tissue surrounding an opening in a device, comprising:
 illuminating the tissue with light emitted from at least one optical waveguide extending through the device;   detecting light reflected back from the tissue as detected light; and   using a processor to compare a wavelength of the detected light with known values indicating tissue composition to determine whether the tissue is soft tissue or neural tissue;   wherein the tissue is located in a patient's spinal column.   
     
     
         18 . A method of determining the composition of tissue, comprising:
 illuminating tissue surrounding a device with light emitted from at least one optical waveguide extending through the device;   detecting light reflected back from the tissue as detected light; and   comparing spectral characteristics of the detected light to spectral characteristics of different types of tissue stored in a database to determine whether the tissue is neural tissue.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising determining the type of the tissue based on the spectral characteristics of the detected light and displaying the determined type of the tissue on a display screen.