Methods of using a robotic spine system
A method of using a robotic guidance system for performing surgery on a spine is provided. The method includes utilizing a computerized tomographic scan image of a location on a spinal column of a patient, such that the computerized tomographic scan image is connected to a computer and visible on a monitor connected to the computer. The method also includes attaching a coupling component to the spinal column of the patient, coupling a marker to the coupling component, and imaging, with a fluoroscope, the view of the spinal column of the patient, wherein the fluoroscope image is transmitted to the computer and visible on the monitor and the at marker is clearly visible in the fluoroscope image. The method also includes positioning a cannula, with a robotic mechanism, to a first position relative to a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, drilling a passage through the cannula into bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, inserting a guidewire through the cannula into the passage in the bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient, and positioning a screw into the bone of the vertebra in the spinal column of the patient.
1. A method of using a robotic guidance system for performing surgery on a spine, the method comprising:
utilizing at least one computerized tomographic scan image of a location on a spinal column of a patient on whom a surgical procedure is to be performed, wherein the at least one computerized tomographic scan image is connected to at least one computer and visible on at least one monitor connected to the at least one computer;
attaching at least one coupling component to the spinal column of the patient;
positioning at least one marker relative to the at least one coupling component;
imaging, with a fluoroscope, at least one view of the spinal column of the patient on whom the surgical procedure is to be performed, wherein the at least one fluoroscope image is transmitted to the at least one computer, and wherein the at least one marker is clearly visible in the at least one fluoroscope image;
positioning a cannula, with a robotic mechanism, to a first position relative to the spinal column of the patient; and
inserting a shaft through the cannula positioned in the first position relative to the spinal column to form a space in bone of the column of the patient;
wherein during the steps of positioning the cannula and inserting the shaft, the robotic mechanism is connected to a base on a floor next to the patient.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the shaft is performed with a manual effort.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the space comprises a first space, the method further comprising:
positioning the cannula, with the robotic mechanism, to a second position different from the first position relative to the spinal column of the patient; and
inserting a shaft through the cannula positioned in the second position relative to the spinal column to form a second space in bone of the spinal column of the patient.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the step of inserting a shaft through the cannula in the second position is performed with a manual effort.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the second space is formed in one of
a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient in which the first space is also formed;
a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient that is adjacent to a vertebra in which the first space is formed; and
a vertebral structure in the spinal column of the patient that is different than a vertebral structure in which the first space is formed.
6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the second space is formed in one of:
a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient in which the first space is also formed;
a vertebra in the spinal column of the patient that is adjacent to a vertebra in which the first space is formed; and
a vertebral structure in the spinal column of the patient that is different than a vertebral structure in which the first space is formed.
7. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the step of positioning the first screw comprises positioning the first screw in the first passage.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cannula is at least one portion of a tissue retractor assembly.
9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising positioning at least one tissue retractor through the cannula positioned by the robotic mechanism.
10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising utilizing at least one surgical instrument positioned through the cannula.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising inserting a guidewire into the space.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the guidewire is configured to be screwed into the bone.
13. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising threading a screw into the space.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the screw comprises positioning the screw in the passage.
15. A method of using a robotic guidance system for performing surgery on a spine, the method comprising:
utilizing at least one computerized tomographic scan image of a location on a spinal column of a patient on whom a surgical procedure is to be performed, wherein the at least one computerized tomographic scan image is connected to at least one computer and visible on at least one monitor connected to the at least one computer;
attaching at least one coupling component to the spinal column of the patient;
positioning at least one marker relative to the at least one coupling component;
imaging, with a fluoroscope, at least one view of the spinal column of the patient on whom the surgical procedure is to be performed, wherein the at least one fluoroscope image is transmitted to the at least one computer, and wherein the at least one marker is clearly visible in the at least one fluoroscope image;
positioning a cannula, with a robotic mechanism, to a first position relative to the spinal column of the patient; and
inserting a surgical instrument through the cannula, wherein the surgical instrument is configured for use in the surgical procedure on the spinal column of the patient;
wherein during the steps of positioning the cannula and inserting the surgical instrument, the robotic mechanism is connected to a base on a floor next to the patient.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of inserting the surgical instrument comprises inserting the surgical instrument, with a manual effort, through the cannula positioned with the robotic mechanism.
17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
positioning the cannula, with the robotic mechanism, to a second position different from the first position relative to the spinal column of the patient; and
inserting a surgical instrument through the cannula positioned in the second position, wherein the surgical instrument that is inserted through the cannula positioned in the second position is one of the same surgical instrument that is inserted through the cannula positioned in the first position and a different surgical instrument configured for use in the surgical procedure on the spinal column of the patient.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the step of inserting the surgical instrument through the cannula positioned in the second position with the robotic mechanism comprises inserting the surgical instrument, with a manual effort, through the cannula positioned in the second position with the robotic mechanism.
19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the cannula is at least one portion of a tissue retractor assembly.
20. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising positioning at least one tissue retractor through the cannula.
21. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising positioning at least one prosthetic implant in the spinal column of the patient.
22. A method of using a robotic guidance system for performing surgery on a spine, the method comprising:
utilizing at least one computerized tomographic scan image of a location on a spinal column of a patient on whom a surgical procedure is to be performed, wherein the at least one computerized tomographic scan image is connected to at least one computer and visible on at least one monitor connected to the at least one computer;
attaching at least one coupling component to the spinal column of the patient;
positioning at least one marker at a visible position relative to the at least one coupling component;
imaging, with a fluoroscope, at least one view of the spinal column of the patient on whom the surgical procedure is to be performed, wherein the at least one fluoroscope image is transmitted to the at least one computer, and wherein the at least one marker is clearly visible at the visible position in the at least one fluoroscope image;
moving a cannula, with a robotic mechanism, to a first position relative to the spinal column of the patient; and
guiding a surgical instrument through the cannula into a working space in bone of the spinal column of the patient, wherein the surgical instrument is configured for use in the surgical procedure on the spinal column of the patient;
wherein during the steps of moving the cannula and guiding the surgical instrument through the cannula, the robotic mechanism is connected to a base on a floor next to the patient.