Non-fouling surfaces for reflective spheres
View Patent ↗The invention relates to non-fouling hydrophobic reflective surfaces for a variety of applications which in one embodiment related to medical device applications comprises a method of performing a medical procedure using a surgical navigation system which includes the steps of placing one or more reflective spheres on a surgical instrument or apparatus, the reflective spheres comprising a hydrophobic coating on a sub-micron structured surface of the spheres, wherein the spheres substantially maintain their reflective properties after the spheres are contacted with a biological fluid; shining light on the reflective spheres; capturing reflected light from the spheres with a camera or other device; and registering and/or tracking a location and/or position of the spheres.
1. A method of performing a medical procedure using a surgical navigation system, the method comprising:
placing one or more reflective spheres on a surgical instrument or apparatus, the reflective spheres comprising an adhesion layer on the surface of the spheres having a first charge, a sub-micron structured surface layer comprising sub-micron particles comprising fumed silica nanoparticles having a second charge opposite the first charge and adhered to the adhesion layer on the surface of the spheres, and a hydrophobic coating comprising a perfluorinated silane coating disposed on the sub micron structured surface of the spheres, wherein the spheres substantially maintain their reflective properties after the spheres are contacted with a biological fluid;
shining light on the reflective spheres;
capturing reflected light from the spheres with a camera; and
registering or tracking a location or position of the spheres.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises capturing at least 70% of the reflected light from the sphere by the camera or other device.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the capturing comprises capturing at least 80% of the reflected light.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the capturing comprises capturing at least 90% of the reflected light.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesion layer comprises a positive charge.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adhesion layer comprises polylysine or soluble alumina.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perfluorinated silane coating comprises n-Octyltriethoxysilane.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perfluorinated silane coating comprises n-Octyltrichlorosilane.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perfluorinated silane coating comprises perfluorooctyltriclorosilane.