| Apparatus for securing a sensor to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided orthopaedic surgery -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Apparatus for securing a sensor to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided orthopaedic surgeryRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Instruments, Orthopedic Instrumentation, Means For Use In Bone ReperationThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080051797. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a divisional application of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/828,778, which was filed on Apr. 21, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a sensor used in computer guided orthopaedic surgery, and more specifically to coupling devices use in computer guided orthopaedic surgery. BACKGROUND [0003] Many computer guided orthopaedic surgical procedures are based on determining the position of bones, and relating this position into the computer via some type of ultrasonic, magnetic resonance, or optical sensor. A similar sensor is attached or contained within the surgical instrument and subsequently guided via a computer into the desired position within the patient. U.S. Patents and Patent Publications relating to computer guided surgery include U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,694 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003/0153978 A1 and 2003/01538829 A1, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Similar computer guided navigation systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,514,259; 6,434,507; 6,428,547; 6,424,856; 6,351,659; 6,223,067; 6,187,018; 6,178,345; 5,889,834; 5,769,861; 5,702,406; 5,643,268; and 5,628,315, along with U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0038118 A1, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The accuracy of this guidance is dependent on various factors including, for example, computer hardware and software resolution, the location of the sensor on the surgical instrument, and manufacturing tolerances of the sensor and its attachment mechanism to the surgical instrument. [0004] Tight manufacturing tolerances often result with increased cost of the attachment mechanism and require precise alignment of the components before assembly. This may decrease the user-friendliness of the operation of the attachment mechanism. In an operating room environment, for example, and particularly with the advent of minimally invasive surgery, the maneuvering space available to the surgeon becomes increasingly smaller. Precise alignment of tightly machined components having small tolerances may be difficult. SUMMARY [0005] The present disclosure comprises one or more of the features recited in the appended claims or one or more of the following features or combinations thereof. [0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a self-centering coupling device is used for securing a sensor to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided orthopaedic surgery. The device includes a sensor support having a support arm to support the sensor and a stem having a first end secured to the support arm. A second end of the stem is expandable between a first position in which the second end of the stem has a first width and a second position in which the second end of the stem has a second, larger width. [0007] The device may further include a pin or fastener to secure the sensor support to the surgical instrument. The pin moves the second end of the stem from the first position to the second position. According to one illustrative embodiment, the stem includes a passageway defined by an inner sidewall. The inner sidewall is tapered at the second end of the stem. Insertion of the pin into the passageway causes the second end of the stem to be moved from the first position to the second position. [0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor support is constructed with a polymeric material. In one illustrative embodiment, the sensor support is constructed with a polycarbonate plastic. [0009] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument used in computer guided orthopaedic surgery includes a body having a recess configured to receive a sensor support. The recess is defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. The first side wall and the second side wall are inclined relative to one another. The recess is further defined by a third side wall and a fourth side wall such that the third and fourth side walls are inclined also relative to one another. The first side wall and the second side wall are arranged in a substantially V-shaped configuration and the third side wall and the fourth side wall are arranged in a substantially V-shaped configuration. [0010] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of attaching a sensor support carrying a sensor array to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided orthopaedic surgery includes positioning an end of the sensor support into a recess formed in the surgical instrument and inserting a pin into a passageway of the sensor support to urge outer walls of the sensor support to contact with a number of side walls of the recess. [0011] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of using a computer guided orthopaedic surgical instrument includes removing a first sensor support from a first sterile package, securing the first sensor support to the surgical instrument with a sterile fastener, performing a first computer guided orthopaedic surgical procedure, removing the fastener and the first sensor support from the surgical instrument, disposing of the first sensor support, sterilizing the fastener for use in a second computer guided surgical procedure, removing a second sensor support from a second sterile package, securing the second sensor support to the surgical instrument with the fastener, and performing a second computer guided orthopaedic surgical procedure. [0012] The above and other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an orthopaedic broach having a sensor array coupled to the broach by a self-centering coupling device; [0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the self-centering coupling device of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the sensor support of the self-centering coupling device of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the sensor support taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; [0017] FIG. 5 is a front view, with portions broken away, of a pin of the self-centering coupling device; [0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the sensor support positioned within a recess of the surgical instrument and showing the pin being inserted into the passageway of the stem of the sensor support; [0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the fastener inserted farther within the passageway of the sensor support; [0020] FIG. 8 is sectional view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 showing the threaded screw of the pin threaded into the threaded bore of the recess formed within the surgical instrument; Continue reading... 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