Percutaneous registration apparatus and method for use in surgical navigation

1. A registration apparatus for minimally invasive spinal surgery comprising:

a holding member;

a pair of movable first and second clamping members spaced apart from each other and coupled to one end of the holding member by a hinge mechanism that is configured as a pivot point for the pair of movable first and second clamping members; and

a pair of first and second gripping members extending from the ends of the pair of movable first and second clamping members;

wherein the hinge mechanism and pivot point allow movement of the pair of movable first and second clamping members for movement of the first and second gripping members between an open position and a closed position; and

wherein the pair of first and second gripping members extend from the ends of the pair of movable first and second clamping members at right angles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holding member is configured for holding at least one electromagnetic sensor or at least one electromagnetic field generator thereto.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of first and second gripping members include a plurality of small pointed spikes extending from an inner surface of each of the first and second gripping members.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of first and second gripping members each include at least one blunt end.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of first and second clamping members each include an opening extending therethrough for receiving a mechanism for opening and closing the pair of first and second clamping members.

6. A percutaneous spinal registration apparatus for minimally invasive spinal surgery comprising:

a holding member;

first and second clamping members spaced apart from each other and coupled to one end of the holding member;

first and second gripping members coupled to the ends of the first and second clamping members; and

at least one adjustment mechanism for allowing movement of the first and second gripping members between an open position and a closed position;

wherein the holding member includes a bone pin that is downwardly extendible between the first and second clamping members for fixation to a bulbous end of a spinous process.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the holding member is configured for holding at least one electromagnetic sensor or at least one electromagnetic field generator thereto.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second clamping members extend downwardly from the holding member and the adjustment mechanism.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second gripping members are rotatably attached to an end of the first and second clamping members.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first and second gripping members rotate around a pivot point.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second gripping members include a plurality of small pointed spikes extending from an inner surface of each of the first and second gripping members.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second gripping members each include at least one blunt end.