Spinal Instrument For Measuring Load and Position Of Load

Abstract

An orthopedic surgical spine measurement system comprises a first tool, a second tool, and a remote system. The first tool is a distractor having a plurality of load sensors for measuring load magnitude and position of load of a distracted region of the spine. The first tool and second tool also includes circuitry to measure a position and trajectory. The remote system receives data from the first tool and can display the parameter being measured and the position and trajectory of the first tool. A second tool holds a spine component. The remote system supports placement of the spine component by comparing the position and trajectory of the second tool to the path of the first tool. The remote system and second tool can provide visual, audible, or haptic feedback to support directing the second tool similarly to the first tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An orthopedic surgical spine measurement system comprising:
 a first tool having at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter where the first tool is configured to measure a position and trajectory of the first tool;   a remote system configured to receive parameter measurement data and position and trajectory information; and   a second tool where the remote system is configured to support placement of the second tool in approximately the same position and trajectory of the first tool.   
     
     
         2 . The measurement tool of  claim 1  where the second tool is configured to provide position and trajectory information to the remote system and where the remote station is configured to compare the position and trajectory information of the second tool to the position and trajectory information from the first tool. 
     
     
         3 . The measurement tool of  claim 2  where the remote system or the second tool is configured to provide visual, audible, or haptic feedback to aid in directing the placement of the second tool. 
     
     
         4 . The measurement system of  claim 1  where the first tool and the second tool include at least a three-axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The measurement system of  claim 1  where the first tool is configured to distract a spine. 
     
     
         6 . The measurement system of  claim 5  where the first tool includes at least one force, pressure, or load sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The measurement system of  claim 6  where the orthopedic spine measurement system measures load and position of load applied to the first tool. 
     
     
         8 . The measurement system of  claim 1  where the second tool includes a tip for holding a spine component and an attach/release mechanism configured to attach or release the spine component from the second tool. 
     
     
         9 . The measurement system of  claim 1  where the first tool includes a handle, where the first tool is configured to be hand held, and where the handle houses an electronic assembly and a power source. 
     
     
         10 . The measurement system of  claim 1  where the second tool includes a handle, where the second tool is configured to be hand held, and where the handle houses an electronic assembly and a power source. 
     
     
         11 . An orthopedic surgical spine measurement system comprising:
 a first tool configured to distract a region of the spine where the first tool includes at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter where the first tool is configured to measure a position and trajectory of the first tool;   a remote system configured to receive parameter measurement data and position and trajectory information; and   a second tool configured to hold a spine component where the remote system is configured to support placement of the second tool in approximately the same position and trajectory of the first tool.   
     
     
         12 . The measurement tool of  claim 11  where the second tool is configured to provide position and trajectory information to the remote system and where the remote station is configured to compare the position and trajectory information of the second tool to the position and trajectory information from the first tool. 
     
     
         13 . The measurement tool of  claim 12  where the remote system or the second tool is configured to provide visual, audible, or haptic feedback to aid in directing the placement of the second tool. 
     
     
         14 . The measurement system of  claim 11  where the first tool or the second tool include at least a three-axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         15 . The measurement system of  claim 11  where the first tool includes a plurality of force, pressure, or load sensors and where the orthopedic spine measurement system measures load and position of load applied to the first tool. 
     
     
         16 . The measurement system of  claim 11  where the second tool includes a tip for holding a spine component and an attach/release mechanism configured to attach or release the spine component from the second tool. 
     
     
         17 . The measurement system of  claim 11  where the first tool or second tool includes a handle, where the first tool is configured to be hand held, and where the handle houses an electronic assembly and a power source. 
     
     
         18 . An orthopedic surgical spine measurement system comprising:
 a first tool configured to distract a region of the spine where the first tool includes a plurality of load sensors configured to measure a load magnitude and position of load applied to the first tool where the first tool is configured to measure a position and trajectory of the first tool;   a remote system configured to receive measurement data;   a second tool configured to hold a spine component where the second tool includes a tip for holding a spine component and an attach/release mechanism and where the remote system is configured to support placement of the spine component in a position and trajectory similar to the first tool.   
     
     
         19 . The measurement system of  claim 18  where the second tool is configured to provide position and trajectory information to the remote system and where the remote station is configured to compare the position and trajectory information of the second tool to the position and trajectory information from the first tool. 
     
     
         20 . The measurement tool of  claim 18  where the remote system or the second tool is configured to provide visual, audible, or haptic feedback to aid in directing the placement of the second tool.