US20170333136A1

US20170333136A1 - Systems and devices including a surgical navigation camera with a kinematic mount and a surgical drape with a kinematic mount adapter

Info

Publication number: US20170333136A1
Application number: US15/522,503
Authority: US
Inventors: Andre Novomir Hladio; Armen Garo Bakirtzian; Richard Tyler Fanson
Original assignee: Intellijoint Surgical Inc
Current assignee: Intellijoint Surgical Inc
Priority date: 2014-10-29
Filing date: 2015-10-29
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Also published as: AU2021203699B2; US20230233268A1; WO2016065459A1; AU2015337755B2; WO2016065458A1; US20230233267A1; WO2016065457A1; AU2021203699A1; US20200305986A1; US10034715B2; US20180318017A1; AU2019250135B2; EP3212110A1; AU2015337755A1; US10682185B2; US20170143433A1; US9603671B2; US20160128783A1; EP3212110A4; AU2022203868A1

Abstract

A non-sterile device such as, a sensor with a kinematic mount is provided, such that there is a positional relationship between an optical system within the sensor, and the kinematic mount. A sterile drape is provided to allow the introduction of non-sterile devices into the sterile surgical field. The sterile drape has a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side, with a known positional relationship between both sides. The non-sterile side (internal to the drape) is configured to kinematically couple to the non-sterile device and the sterile side (external to the drape) is configured to kinematically couple to an object in the sterile field such that the position and orientation of the object with respect to the non-sterile device is known to a processing unit and can be used to calculate positional measurements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/072,041 titled “Systems, methods and devices for anatomical registration and surgical localization” and filed on Oct. 29, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/072,030 titled “Devices including a surgical navigation camera and systems and methods for surgical navigation” and filed on Oct. 29, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/084,891 titled “Devices, systems and methods for natural feature tracking of surgical tools and other objects” and filed on Nov. 26, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/072,032 titled “Devices, systems and methods for reamer guidance and cup seating” and filed on Oct. 29, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and devices that use kinematic mounts in navigated surgical guidance. More particularly, the disclosure describes the use of kinematic mounts on a sensor and on a sterile drape in specific, pre-determined positional relationships. The sensor and drape, along with other components of a surgical navigation system assist in the calculation of a location in up to six degrees of freedom of a mechanical device that is kinematically coupled to the sensor or the sensor-drape assembly.

BACKGROUND

During a surgery, a sterile field around a patient is strictly maintained to prevent contamination of a surgical wound. Surgical tools and devices are typically provided terminally sterile or are sterilized prior to use during surgery in an autoclave. However, some devices may not be made of materials that are designed to withstand an autoclave or other sterilization techniques. Such devices offer other benefits to the surgeon and the introduction of these devices into a sterile field of surgery can be done safely by enclosing the device in a sterile drape.
Further, when performing navigated surgery, the knowledge of the spatial location of an effector of a surgical tool is important for accuracy of the overall system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This specification discusses a non-sterile device, such as a sensor, with a kinematic mount. The sensor comprises an optical system. There is a pre-determined positional relationship, in up to 6 degrees of freedom, between an optical system in a sensor, with respect to which measurements can be calculated, and a kinematic mount on the sensor. The sensor can be kinematically coupled to a tool with a cooperating kinematic mount. There exists a second pre-determined positional relationship, in up to 6 degrees of freedom, between the tool, including an effector of the tool, and the kinematic mount of the tool. These relationships may be known to an intra-operative computing unit and used to calculate or measure the pose (position and orientation) of a target.
The specification also describes a sterile drape that offers a barrier between a sterile and non-sterile field to allow the use of non-sterile devices in a sterile environment. The sterile drape has a kinematic mount adapter that provides a repeatable connection that can be formed quickly and with a high level of accuracy. The non-sterile device can be received within the sterile drape. The sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter allows an assembly, comprising the device and the drape, to be kinematic coupled to a cooperating kinematic mount.
There is disclosed a sensor for a medical navigational guidance system comprising: an enclosure; a first kinematic mount on an exterior end of the enclosure configured to couple to a second kinematic mount on a tool; and an optical system housed within the enclosure, wherein the optical system is in a known positional relationship to the first kinematic mount, and the optical system is configured to receive positional information in up to six degrees of freedom from a target to provide surgical navigation. The sensor is configured to be enclosed in a sterile drape comprising a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side wherein the first kinematic mount of the sensor is coupled to the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter. The sensor further comprises positional sensing components wherein the positional sensing components are in another known positional relationship to the optical system.
There is disclosed a sterile drape comprising: a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side; the non-sterile side is configured to couple to a first kinematic mount of a non-sterile device; the sterile side and the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter are in a known positional relationship; and the sterile side is configured to couple to a second kinematic mount across a sterile barrier. The sterile drape further comprises: an opening configured to receive a non-sterile device within the sterile drape; and an optically transparent window. The kinematic mount adapter is located proximate the optically transparent window. The sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter is configured to couple to a second kinematic mount of an object wherein the object and the second kinematic mount are in another known positional relationship. The non-sterile device is an optical system configured to capture the position and orientation of a target within a surgical sterile field. The kinematic mount adapter is configured such that: a kinematic connection formed with the sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter is stronger than a second kinematic connection formed with the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter; or vice versa.
There is disclosed a medical navigational guidance system comprising: a sensor comprising an optical system and a first kinematic mount, wherein a first positional relationship exists between the first kinematic mount and the optical system, and wherein the optical system is configured to generate optical measurements; a tool with a second kinematic mount kinematically coupled to the sensor, wherein a second positional relationship exists between the second kinematic mount and an effector of the tool; a target configured to provide positional signals in up to six degrees of freedom to the optical system, the optical system generating the optical measurements using the positional signals; and an intra-operative computing unit in communication with the sensor. The intra-operative computing unit configured to: process optical measurements from the optical system to determine a position and orientation of the target in up to six degrees of freedom with respect to the optical system; and calculate the position and orientation of the effector of the tool with respect to the target using the first positional relationship, the second positional relationship and the position and orientation of the target. The sensor is enclosed in a sterile drape comprising a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side wherein the first kinematic mount of the sensor is kinematically coupled to the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter and the second kinematic mount of the tool is kinematically coupled to the sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter. The tool is one of a probe, a broach, a calibration instrument, an actuated instrument, and an end effector of a robotic surgical system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments disclosed herein will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the corresponding drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a sensor used in a sterile field with a target in its field of view;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor showing some of its components, such as positional sensing components, optical camera, kinematic mount, human machine interface etc;

FIG. 3 shows a ball and slot configuration of a kinematic mount as an example for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a pre-determined known positional relationship between an optical system of a sensor and a kinematic mount;

FIG. 5 shows a sensor draped with a sterile drape with a kinematic mount as an example for clarity;

FIG. 6 is another view of a sterile drape with a kinematic mount adapter and an optically transparent window in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a sterile drape with a kinematic mount adapter and an optically transparent window in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7A shows a front view of a sterile drape with a kinematic mount adapter;

FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a system comprising a sensor kinematically coupled to a tool and a target kinematically coupled to an object;

FIG. 9 shows a sensor kinematically coupled to a broach and a target attached to a femur bone as an example for clarity;

FIG. 10 shows a sensor kinematically coupled to a probe and a target attached to a body of a patient at an anatomical feature of interest as an example for clarity;

FIG. 11 shows a sensor kinematically coupled to a robotic manipulator and a target attached to an anatomy of a patient as an example for clarity;

FIG. 12 shows a sensor coupled to a calibration tool for use with an impactor as an example for clarity;

FIG. 13A shows a sensing means (magnetic sensors) in a kinematic connection between a sensor and a tool as an example for clarity;

FIG. 13B shows a sensing means (strain sensors) in a kinematic connection between a sensor and a tool as an example for clarity; and

FIG. 13C shows a sensing means (conductive sensors) in a kinematic connection between a sensor and a tool as an example for clarity.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several systems, methods and devices will be described below as embodiments. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic guidance system or robotic surgery system 100, including a sensor 102 and a target 104. The sensor 102 has a kinematic mount 106 to kinematically couple it to a mechanical device such as, a tool or a robotic arm or manipulator during a surgical procedure. FIG. 1 illustrates the sensor 102 coupled to a surgical tool 107. The sensor 102 comprising an optical sensor is used to determine the pose (position and orientation) of the target 104. The sensor 102 is connected with a cable 108 to an intra-operative computing unit. Alternatively, a wireless communication link may be established between the sensor and the intra-operative computing unit. An intra-operative computing unit may comprise a laptop, workstation, or other computing device having at least one processing unit and at least one storage device, such as memory storing software (instructions and/or data) as further described herein to configure the execution of the intra-operative computing device.
The target 104 is located within the field of view 110 of the optical sensor, and also within a sterile field 112. The target 104 is attached to objects, such as another surgical tool, a platform, an anatomy of a patient, etc. The use of multiple targets with one sensor is also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. This system 100 may be used to provide a surgeon with clinically relevant measurements based on positional measurements between the target 104 and the sensor 102 in up to 6 degrees of freedom.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a cross-section of the sensor 102. The sensor 102 may include a human machine interface (HMI) 202 comprising user buttons and/or indicators e.g. LED's. The sensor communicates with an intra-operative computing unit, which is used to facilitate the calculation of position and orientation based on positional signals transmitted by target to the sensor, and display clinically relevant measurements or provide surgical navigation. The communication channel may be a wired connection with a cable 108.
The sensor 102 may be comprised of an enclosure 204 containing components of an optical system 206 including an optical sensor, such as, a camera (lens, imager). The optical system 206 may further include a source of illumination. The optical system 206 is configured to be used such that the target 104 is within its field of view 110. The sensor 102 has an optically transparent window 208 to allow passage of signals for the optical system 206.
The optical system 206 is configured to detect targets at a relatively far distance from itself, for example >8 cm away. Since the camera is used to localize a target, a fixed focal length is preferred. The focal length should be known to the intra-operative computing unit in order to capture the location of the target. The optical system is configured to detect a target within its field of view. The optical sensor has a relatively large field of view. This is unlike endoscopic applications, where an endoscope is configured to view a scene inside a body cavity, where the scene is very close (e.g. <5 cm) to the optical system of the endoscope. Furthermore, endoscopes are used to visualize tissue, whereas the present optical system is primarily used to measure relative pose of targets.
The sensor may have additional electronics 212, which may include other positional sensing components, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, IR detectors, etc.
The sensor may include a kinematic mount 106, on an exterior end of the enclosure 204. The kinematic mount 106 provides a repeatable mount for the sensor 102 to be accurately and repeatably coupled with a cooperating kinematic mount on a kinematic mount adapter, or on a mechanical device, such as, a tool, an end effector of a robotic arm, etc. The sensor may have an internal rigid structure 210 between the kinematic mount 106, the optical system 206, and the additional electronics 212. The rigid structure 210 enforces a constant positional relationship in up to 6 degrees of freedom, between the additional components 212, the optical system 206 and the kinematic mount 106. This positional relationship may be known to the intra-operative computing unit and used to calculate or measure the pose of the target relative to the kinematic mount and/or additional electronics.
In order to allow use in a sterile field, the sensor 102 may be autoclavable, terminally sterile (i.e. provided sterile for a single use) or placed within a sterile barrier (e.g. a sterile drape with an optical window).
In some embodiments, a kinematic mount 106 and a non-kinematic mount are provided on the sensor. The kinematic mount may be used where the sensor is to be attached with a known positional relationship to the effector of a tool. The non-kinematic mount may be used to perform other functions, for e.g., if the sensor requires adjustment to its field of view, a ball joint mechanism may be provided. As disclosed in U.S. 20140275940 titled “System and method for intra-operative leg position measurement”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein, the non-kinematic mount is used to aim the sensor 102 to direct its optical field of view 110 to a region of interest.
A kinematic mount is a mechanical interface which is highly repeatable (i.e. between connect and disconnect cycles) in up to 6 degrees of freedom (3 degrees of freedom in orientation and 3 degrees of freedom in translation). One example of a kinematic mount 106 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Three pairs of balls 302 and corresponding slots or V-grooves 304 mate, using three pairs of attractive magnets 306 to hold both sides of the mount together and enforce a kinematic connection. It is important to note that there are several kinds of kinematic mounts, an example of which is provided in this specification. This kinematic mount is included as an example for clarity and is not meant to limit the scope of the specification.
According to this specification, the sensor 102 provides a kinematic mount 106 for use within the sterile field 112. There are many use cases for the kinematic mount, which are described herein. Furthermore, although the kinematic mount 106 is provided for sterile use in a sterile field 112, non-sterile use is also contemplated. For example, the kinematic mount 106 on the sensor 102 may be used during sensor manufacturing (e.g. for calibration), for in-field accuracy assessments, or for attachment of the sensor to a tool, a platform, or fixtures such as robotic arms in non-sterile fields.
The kinematic mount is preferably co-registered with the sensor. The step of co-registering entails determining a positional relationship (creating a co-registration) between the kinematic mount and the optical system in the sensor. This positional relationship can be determined through strict manufacturing techniques, factory calibration or in-field calibration. The positional relationship is preferably determined and known to the intra-operative unit in up to 6 degrees of freedom.
Reference is now made to a block diagram in FIG. 4. If the sensor has positional sensing components, these components can be co-registered with the optical system and the kinematic mount as illustrated. Preferably the co-registration is constant; however, it may be a pre-determined function of a variable. For example, the co-registration may be a function of temperature, since the positional relationship may be influenced by the temperature-dependent expansion or contraction of the materials within the sensor. If so, additional sensing components may be incorporated to sense the variable and compensate for it.
The specification further discloses a sterile drape with a kinematic mount adapter illustrated in FIG. 5. A sterile drape 502 with an opening 503 is used to maintain a sterile barrier between a non-sterile field 504 and a sterile field 506. The sterile drape 502 provides a kinematic mount adapter 508 that mates with the kinematic mount 106 on the sensor 102 enclosed within the drape. The positional relationship between the sterile side 510 and non-sterile side 512 of the kinematic mount adapter 508 are pre-determined and known to a intra-operative computing unit connected to the sensor 102. An optically transparent window 208 of the non-sterile sensor 102 is shown aligned with the optically transparent window 514 of the sterile drape 502, to allow the passage of optical positional signals through the drape.
Further in FIG. 6, a sterile drape 502 with an opening 503 is illustrated with its window 514 and the kinematic mount adapter 508 with a sterile side 510 and a non-sterile side 512.
The kinematic mount adapter 508 may enforce a kinematic connection using any suitable means for coupling, including magnets, spring clips, threaded connectors, etc. The non-sterile coupling means (internal kinematic coupling) in the interior of the sterile drape may be different from the sterile coupling means (exterior kinematic coupling). Either the internal kinematic coupling may be stronger and more persistent than the external kinematic coupling or vice versa, such that a gentle manual force is unable to dislodge the weaker coupling. This can be achieved by using stronger magnets or a threaded attachment mechanism, for a stronger kinematic connection, whereas the weaker coupling may utilize weaker magnets or a weaker spring force. If the external coupling is weaker, the sensor-drape assembly may be engaged or disengaged multiple times during surgical use from the mechanical device with a decreased chance of disengaging the sensor from the non-sterile side of the drape itself. If the internal coupling is weaker, the sensor may be disengaged from the drape itself but would not be dislodged from the mechanical device that the sensor-drape assembly is coupled to.
In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 102 provides a kinematic mount 106 generally adjacent to or proximate its optical imaging path which mates with a kinematic mount adapter 702 in the sterile drape 502. It may be advantageous to provide the kinematic mount adapter proximate the window 208 of the sensor 102 and the window 514 of the drape 502 because the two windows are aligned to also allow unobstructed passage of the optical positional signals.
In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7A, the kinematic mount adapter 702 uses balls 704 that span the sterile and non-sterile sides of the drape to form the kinematic connection. Three balls are provided for kinematic coupling on both ends of the drape. This kinematic mount adapter 702 can offer a kinematic connection on both sides using the hemispherical surface of the same component (i.e. the ball) without the need for precise manufacturing and/or calibration of the cooperating kinematic mount that is coupled with it on either side. If both sides of the drape offered kinematic coupling using different components, the cooperating kinematic mounts would have to be calibrated to ensure the accuracy of the kinematic connection.
The kinematic mounts described herein are to be understood as examples for clarity. There are many other types of kinematic mounts that can be applied to the sensor and/or kinematic mount adapter.
A kinematic mount that is available during sterile and non-sterile use of the sensor can be kinematically coupled to a cooperating kinematic mount on a mechanical device, such as a tool 107 to serve a useful function or purpose in surgical procedures. A tool is intended to be interpreted broadly. Examples include calibration instruments, actuated instruments (e.g. bone cutting instrument), end effectors of robotic systems, probes, broaches, etc. Most tools have an effector, the exact nature and dimensions of which may vary depending on the application of the tool. This is typically a feature of the tool that has the greatest effect in achieving its purpose. Examples of such effectors include, and are not limited to, the shape of a broach (used in Total Hip Arthroplasty to shape the femoral canal for receiving a prosthetic implant), a tip of a probe, a cutting blade of a scalpel, a surgical drill tip, a tip of an electro-cautery device, a laser beam for affecting tissue, etc. The location of the kinematic mount on the tool with respect to the location of the effector of the tool is pre-determined and known to the intra-operative computing unit.
An exemplary configuration is illustrated in FIG. 8. The sensor 102 is kinematically coupled to the tool 107, whereas the target 104 is kinematically coupled to the object. The sensor 102 is configured to localize a target 104 within its field of view 110 while the tool 107 is interacting with an object. Several embodiments of this configuration are presented herein.
In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 9, the sensor 102 is kinematically coupled to the tool 107. The tool 107 is a broach handle 902 coupled to a broach 904. The broach 904 is used in Total Hip Arthroplasty to prepare a femur 906 to receive an implant. There exists a positional relationship between the optical system in the sensor 102 and the kinematic mount 106 and another positional relationship between the broach handle 902 and its kinematic mount 910. If applicable, there may also be a positional relationship between the broach 904 and the kinematic mount that couples it to the broach handle 902. All positional relationships are repeatable and preferably known a priori. The target 104 is attached to a femur 906. When the broach 904 is inserted into the femur 906, a pose between the sensor 102 and target 104 is captured by the sensor 102 and provided to an intra-operative computing unit. Based on the captured pose and positional relationships, the computing unit is able to calculate the pose of the broach 904 with respect to the target 104. Such a measurement is valuable in this example, since the orientation of the broach 904 within the femur 906 is important (for example, to measure femoral version of the prepared femur). It may also be useful to determine the seating depth of the broach 904 within the femur 906. The sensor 102 may be covered by a sterile drape 502 to allow use in a sterile environment. The sterile drape 502 may additionally have a kinematic mount adapter 508. The positional relationship of the sterile and non-sterile ends of the kinematic mount adapter may be known to the processing unit and be factored in to the calculation of clinical measurements or in providing surgical navigation.
In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 10, the tool 107 is a probe 1002 used to capture a location of an anatomical landmark or feature 1004, e.g. on a bone, or within a body cavity, or a lesion within soft tissues, such as the brain. The anatomical feature 1004 is coupled to a target 104. The probe 1002 is kinematically coupled with the sensor 102. When the tip 1006 of the probe 1002 is in contact with the anatomical feature 1004 and the target 104 is within the field of view 110 of the sensor 102, the relative pose between the tip of the probe 1006 and the target 104 may be measured. The positional relationship between the optical system 206 (of the sensor 102), and the kinematic mount 106 and the positional relationship between the probe tip 1006 (i.e. the effector of the tool) and its kinematic mount 1008 are known to the computing unit. Using these relationships, the relative pose of the target 104 with respect to the anatomical feature 1004 may be calculated by the intra-operative computing unit.
In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 11, the tool 107 is an impactor 1102 attached to an end-effector of a robot manipulator 1104 (e.g. used for haptically guided and/or robotic surgery). The robot manipulator 1104 has a base surface which is anchored to the ground (i.e. a reference location within an operating room). The base surface may also be attached to a patient's anatomy 1106 (e.g. to a bone). The sensor 102 is kinematically coupled to a cooperating kinematic mount on the end-effector of the robot manipulator 1102, and the position and orientation of the end-effector with respect to another bone 1106 (to which a target 104 is attached) is tracked in real time using the target 104.
In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 12, the target 104 is attached to an object, such as a surgical instrument 1202 that is to be calibrated (e.g. an acetabular cup impactor used in THA). The tool 107 is a calibration tool 1204 that is kinematically coupled to the sensor 102. The calibration tool 1204 has a calibration contact surface 1206 which is configured to mate with the surface of the opening plane 1208 of an acetabular cup 1210. When the contact surface 1206 of the calibration tool 1204 is co-planar with the plane 1208 of the cup 1210, the pose between the sensor 102 and target 104 is captured, and used to calibrate the surgical instrument 1202.
Many of the embodiments presented herein enable a surgical navigation system to calculate a position and orientation of an effector of a tool with respect to a target based on an accurate coupling between the kinematic mount on a sensor and a cooperating kinematic mount on the tool. To determine the validity of measurements calculated by the surgical navigation system, it may be desirable to validate the accuracy of the kinematic connection.
The sensor may be adapted to include sensing means to detect whether the kinematic mounts are accurately coupled. The sensing means may generate kinematic mount mating detection signals (KMMDS), and provide these signals to an intra-operative computing unit. The processing unit may use the KMMDS to determine the validity of the pose measurements (between the sensor and the target). There are various sensing technologies that could be applied for any given kinematic mount style/design.
In one embodiment of the sensing means, illustrated in FIG. 13A, a cross-sectional view of a kinematic connection between a kinematic mount 106 on a sensor 102 and a kinematic mount 1302 on a tool 107. The kinematic connection between the balls 1304 and slots 1306 is enforced using a magnetic force between a pair of magnets 1308, and the sensor 102 includes a magnetic field sensor 1310 that detects when the opposing magnets are positioned such that the kinematic connection is accurate. The magnetic field sensor 1310 (or plurality of sensors) generates the KMMDS that are transmitted to a computing unit via a cable 1312.
In another embodiment of the sensing means, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, the sensor 102 provides contact sensors 1314 (e.g. strain gauges) capable of detecting stress/strain proximate the contact points of the kinematic connection. An electronic circuit may output the distribution of strain across the contact points (e.g. the balls/slots) of the kinematic connection. This distribution may vary depending on the type of kinematic mount in use. A circuit for detecting the distribution of strain could generate KMMDS that correspond to either of two states: the strains are balanced, meaning that the kinematic mounts are accurately coupled; the strains are unbalanced, meaning that the kinematic mount is not accurately mated. Instead of strain sensors, use of other buttons, proximity switches or contact sensors are also contemplated.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, electrical conductive features 1316 are provided such that, when the kinematic mount is correctly mated via conductive contact features 1316 of the kinematic mount, an electrical circuit is completed, and thus providing KMMDS that the kinematic mount is accurately coupled.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that this subject matter is not limited to particular embodiments described, and as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sensor comprising:

an enclosure;

a first kinematic mount on an exterior end of the enclosure, the first kinematic mount configured to couple to a second kinematic mount on a tool; and

an optical system housed within the enclosure, wherein the optical system is in a known positional relationship to the first kinematic mount, and the optical system is configured to receive positional information in up to six degrees of freedom from a target to provide surgical navigation.

2. The sensor of claim 1 configured to be enclosed in a sterile drape comprising a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side wherein the first kinematic mount of the sensor is coupled to the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter.

3. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the sensor further comprises positional sensing components wherein the positional sensing components are in another known positional relationship to the optical system.

4. A sterile drape comprising:

a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side;

the non-sterile side configured to couple to a first kinematic mount of a non-sterile device;

the sterile side and the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter are in a known positional relationship; and

the sterile side configured to couple to a second kinematic mount across a sterile barrier.

5. The sterile drape of claim 4 further comprising an opening configured to receive a non-sterile device within the sterile drape.

6. The sterile drape of claim 4 further comprising an optically transparent window.

7. The sterile drape of claim 4 wherein the sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter is configured to couple to a second kinematic mount of an object wherein the object and the second kinematic mount are in another known positional relationship.

8. The sterile drape of claim 4 wherein the non-sterile device is an optical system configured to capture the position and orientation of a target within a surgical sterile field.

9. The sterile drape of claim 4 wherein the kinematic mount adapter is located proximate the optically transparent window.

10. The sterile drape of claim 4 wherein a kinematic connection formed with the sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter is stronger than a second kinematic connection formed with the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter.

11. The sterile drape of claim 4 wherein a kinematic connection formed with the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter is stronger than a second kinematic connection formed with the sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter.

12. A system comprising:

a sensor comprising an optical system and a first kinematic mount, wherein a first positional relationship exists between the first kinematic mount and the optical system, and wherein the optical system is configured to generate optical measurements,

a tool with a second kinematic mount kinematically coupled to the sensor, wherein a second positional relationship exists between the second kinematic mount and an effector of the tool;

a target configured to provide positional signals in up to six degrees of freedom to the optical system, the optical system generating the optical measurements using the positional signals; and

an intra-operative computing unit in communication with the sensor, the intra-operative computing unit configured to:

process optical measurements from the optical system to determine a position and orientation of the target in up to six degrees of freedom with respect to the optical system; and

calculate the position and orientation of the effector of the tool with respect to the target using the first positional relationship, the second positional relationship and the position and orientation of the target.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the sensor is enclosed in a sterile drape comprising a kinematic mount adapter with a sterile side and a non-sterile side wherein the first kinematic mount of the sensor is kinematically coupled to the non-sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the sterile side of the kinematic mount adapter on the sterile drape is kinematically coupled to the second kinematic mount of the tool.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the tool is one of a probe, broach, a calibration instrument, an actuated instrument, and an end effector of a robotic surgical system.