Tool for inserting an implant and method of using same
An implant insertion tool or tools interact with a user interface provided by a computer to guide the operator to insert the implant at a desired location and trajectory. The user interface may guide an operator through a registration process, a process for positioning the tip of the implant at the desired location, and a process for aligning the implant to have the desired insertion trajectory. The implant may be a medical implant such as a K-wire that is inserted into a bone, such as the glenoid of a scapula during shoulder arthroplasty or reverse arthroplasty.
1 . A tool for inserting an implant in a target surface at a desired location and angle, the tool comprising:
a sensor unit configured to generate position data indicating a position of a body of the tool, wherein the sensor unit comprises a mount for physically connecting a probe to the sensor unit, the body further comprising a power unit configured to connect to the sensor unit and provide power to one or more sensors of the sensor unit, wherein the power unit comprises one or more controls on an exterior surface of the power unit, wherein the one or more controls comprise one or more buttons configured to receive an input;
the probe including:
an attachment portion that attaches the probe to the body;
a head, coupled to the attachment portion, having a plurality of contact portions configured to contact the target surface, wherein the head is coupled to the attachment portion of the probe via a shaft; and
a connector at a proximal end of the shaft, wherein the connector is configured to connect the probe to the mount; and
a controller configured to send orientation data to a computer, wherein the computer is configured to provide assistance to a user in positioning the tool to insert the implant at the desired location and/or angle, wherein the controller comprises a printed circuit board assembly, wherein the printed circuit board assembly is inside the power unit.
2 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the position data is orientation data that indicates an orientation of the body.
3 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the probe further comprises a channel having a central axis, wherein the channel is configured to receive the implant and align a longitudinal axis of the implant with the central axis, and wherein the channel is mounted to the shaft between the proximal end of the shaft and a distal end of the shaft.
4 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein the probe comprises at least one additional channel, each additional channel having a corresponding additional central axis that is different from the central axis of the channel.
5 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the power unit is disposable and the sensor unit is reusable.
6 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the contact portions include a tip of a first prong and a tip of a second prong.
7 . The tool of claim 6 , wherein a distance between the tip of the first prong and the tip of the second prong is configurable.
8 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the contact portions are parts of a planar surface configured to be placed such that a plurality of contact portions of the planar surface contact the target surface during a registration process.
9 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the head includes a T-shaped jig having adjustable portions configured to grip a periphery of the target surface along at least two axes.
10 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the surface is of a bone and the implant is a surgical wire.
11 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the one or more controls further comprises one or more indicators configured to convey information to the user.
12 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board assembly is configured to receive signals from the one or more controls.
13 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board assembly is configured to receive data from the computer.
14 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises a sensor unit printed circuit board assembly, wherein the sensor unit printed circuit board assembly is inside the sensor unit, wherein the one or more sensors are mounted on the sensor unit printed circuit board assembly.
15 . The tool of claim 1 ,
wherein the probe further comprises a channel having a central axis, wherein the channel is configured to receive the implant and align a longitudinal axis of the implant with the central axis,
wherein the contact portion includes a tip of a first prong and a tip of a second prong, and
wherein the implant is configured to extend between the tip of the first prong and the tip of the second prong.