Detection system and method for automatic detection of surgical instruments

Abstract

An automatic detection of surgical instruments with respect to a type and a location thereof is provided with a detection system, which includes at least two surgical instruments, which each include at least one cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the instrument and a proximal entry region to the cavity. An angle of the proximal entry region in relation to the longitudinal extension of the cavity is different in the two instruments. A sensor unit includes two electromagnetic sensors and is insertable into the cavity. One of the sensors extends axially in the cavity, and the other sensor is arranged in the entry region. A field generator generates an electromagnetic field. An analysis unit analyzes signals transmitted by the sensors to the analysis unit in accordance with the location thereof in the field of the field generator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor unit, of a detection system comprising a first surgical instrument and a second surgical instrument, which each comprise a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of a respective surgical instrument and a proximal entry region, the first surgical instrument having a first angle between the longitudinal axis and the entry region of the first surgical instrument, the second surgical instrument having a second angle between the longitudinal axis and the entry region of the second surgical instrument, wherein the first angle and the second angle are different, the detection system further comprising a field generator for generating an electromagnetic field and an analysis unit for analyzing signals transmitted by the sensors to the analysis unit in accordance with the location thereof in the field of the field generator, the sensor unit comprising:
 a first electromagnetic sensor configured to detect the electromagnetic field external to the first electromagnetic sensor and to transmit a first electric sensor signal based on detection of the electromagnetic field; and   a second electromagnetic sensor configured to detect the electromagnetic field external to the second electromagnetic sensor and to transmit a second electric sensor signal based on the external electromagnetic field, wherein one of the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor axially extends in the cavity, and the other of the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor is arranged in the entry region.   
     
     
         2 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first surgical instrument is one of a hollow needle, a guide rod, a penetration needle according to Jamshidi, and an endoscope;   the second surgical instrument is another one of a hollow needle, a guide rod, a penetration needle according to Jamshidi, and an endoscope;   the analysis unit is configured to determine a type difference of the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument based on the first electric sensor signal and the second electric sensor signal.   
     
     
         3 . A sensor unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the guide rod is double cannulated. 
     
     
         4 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument comprise at least four different instruments. 
     
     
         5 . A sensor unit according to  claim 4 , wherein the first angle and the second angle differ by at least 5°. 
     
     
         6 . A sensor unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the entry region of the first surgical instrument has an angle of 0°, 15°, 25°, 35°, 45°, 55°, 65°, or 75° in relation to the longitudinal extension of the cavity of the first surgical instrument, the entry region of the second surgical instrument having an angle of 0°, 15°, 25°, 35°, 45°, 55°, 65°, or 75° in relation to the longitudinal extension of the cavity of the second surgical instrument. 
     
     
         7 . A sensor unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor have a fixed longitudinal spacing in relation to one another. 
     
     
         8 . A sensor unit according to  claim 7 , wherein the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor are coils made of electrically conductive wire. 
     
     
         9 . A sensor unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the coils are comprised of metal. 
     
     
         10 . A sensor unit according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a flexible protective tubing jacketing the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor.   
     
     
         11 . A sensor unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the protective tubing comprises plastic, which is sterilizable. 
     
     
         12 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal entry region is comprised of a Luer adapter that comprises an adapter part. 
     
     
         13 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor comprises an electrical connecting line at a sensor proximal end for connection to the analysis unit. 
     
     
         14 . A sensor unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrical connecting line is enclosed by a protective tubing made of biocompatible plastic which is sterilizable. 
     
     
         15 . A sensor unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the electrical connecting line is enclosed by a protective tubing and the protective tubing is enclosed directly proximal of an adapter part of the sensor unit by a buckling safeguard. 
     
     
         16 . A sensor unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the buckling safeguard is enclosed by biocompatible plastic which is sterilizable. 
     
     
         17 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the analysis unit is part of a control and processing electronics unit, the analysis unit being configured to determine a type of one of the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument based on the first electric sensor signal and the second electric sensor signal, the analysis unit being further configured to determine a type of another one of the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument based on the first electric sensor signal and the second electric sensor signal. 
     
     
         18 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the detection system further comprises a monitor. 
     
     
         19 . A sensor unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the detection system is configured to represent at least a portion of the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument, comprised of any combination of hollow needles, a guide rod, which is double cannulated, a penetration needle, and an endoscope, overlaid in an image of a spinal column region of a patient. 
     
     
         20 . A sensor unit, of a detection system comprising a first surgical instrument and a second surgical instrument, the first surgical instrument comprising a first surgical instrument cavity extending along a first surgical instrument longitudinal axis and a first surgical instrument proximal entry region, the first surgical instrument having a first angle between the first surgical instrument longitudinal axis and the first surgical instrument proximal entry region, the second surgical instrument comprising a second surgical instrument cavity extending along a second surgical instrument longitudinal axis and a second surgical instrument proximal entry region, the second surgical instrument having a second angle between the second surgical instrument longitudinal axis and the second surgical instrument proximal entry region, wherein the first angle and the second angle are different, the detection system further comprising a field generator for generating an electromagnetic field and an analysis unit for analyzing signals transmitted by sensor unit to the analysis unit in accordance with the location thereof in the field of the field generator, the sensor unit comprising:
 a first electromagnetic sensor configured to detect the electromagnetic field external to the first electromagnetic sensor and to generate a first electric sensor signal based on detection of the electromagnetic field; and   a second electromagnetic sensor configured to detect the electromagnetic field external to the second electromagnetic sensor and to generate a second electric sensor signal based on the external electromagnetic field, wherein one of the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor axially extends in a respective one of the first surgical instrument cavity and the second surgical instrument cavity, and the other of the first electromagnetic sensor and the second electromagnetic sensor is arranged in a respective one of the first surgical instrument proximal entry region and the second surgical instrument proximal entry region, the first electric sensor signal and the second electric sensor signal being configured to be transmitted to the analysis unit for determining a type of at least one of the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument.