End effector for a positioning device

1. An end effector for connecting to a multi-jointed robotic arm of a positioning device of a medical navigation system, the end effector comprising:

a mating component for connecting to an output flange at a distal end of the multi-jointed robotic arm;

a handle portion having a first end and a second end, the first end extending from the mating component, the handle portion including a cable cut-out at the first end;

a camera mount connected to the second end of the handle portion;

a trigger mechanism located adjacent the mating component for communicating with the multi-jointed robotic arm; and

a trigger emanating from the trigger mechanism, at least one of the trigger or trigger mechanism being configured to be manually held, the trigger being configured to be manually actuated; and

a scope clamp arm connected to the mechanical interface for clamping a scope, the scope clamp arm having a tracking marker frame attached thereto, the tracking marker frame having at least three couplings on the frame connected to at least three respective tracking markers, the tracking markers being passive reflective tracking spheres;

wherein manual actuation of the trigger places the multi-jointed robotic arm into compliant mode in which manual positioning of the joints of the multi-jointed robotic arm is enabled, wherein manual positioning of the joints is facilitated using the handle portion to directly and physically manually manipulate the end effector and the multi-jointed robotic arm to which the end effector is connected.

2. The end effector according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a mechanical interface located at the second end of the handle portion.

3. The end effector according to claim 2 , wherein the mechanical interface includes a dovetail interface with the scope clamp arm engaged therein and secured by a screw.

4. The end effector according to claim 1 , wherein the camera mount connected to the second end of the handle portion has a second camera mounted thereon, with a cable connected to the second camera extending through the cable cut-out.

5. The end effector according to claim 4 , wherein the second camera includes a situational awareness camera.

6. The end effector according to claim 5 , wherein the mating component connects to the output flange with a dowel pin and is secured with at least one screw.

7. The end effector according to claim 6 , wherein the trigger mechanism, the handle, a first camera, the second camera, the scope, the scope clamp arm, and the tracking marker frame all have respective center lines that are substantially aligned resulting in a thin profile that reduces visual_obstruction of a surgeon using the end effector in the medical navigation system.

8. A medical navigation system, comprising:

a positioning device having a multi-jointed robotic arm with an output flange at a distal end of the multi-jointed robotic arm;

a controller at least electrically coupled to the positioning device, the controller having a processor coupled to a memory and a display; and

an end effector connected to the distal end of the multi-jointed robotic arm of the positioning device, the end effector comprising:

a mating component connected to the output flange;

a handle portion having a first end and a second end, the first end extending from the mating component, the handle portion including a cable cut-out at the first end;

a camera mount connected to the second end of the handle portion;

a trigger mechanism located adjacent the mating component for communicating with the multi-jointed robotic arm; and

a trigger emanating from the trigger mechanism, at least one of the trigger or trigger mechanism being configured to be manually held, the trigger being configured to be manually actuated; and

a scope clamp arm connected to the mechanical interface for clamping a scope, the scope clamp arm having a tracking marker frame attached thereto, the tracking marker frame having at least three couplings on the frame connected to at least three respective tracking markers, the tracking markers being passive reflective tracking spheres;

wherein manual actuation of the trigger places the multi-jointed robotic arm into compliant mode in which manual positioning of the joints of the multi-jointed robotic arm is enabled, wherein manual positioning of the joints is facilitated using the handle portion to directly and physically manually manipulate the end effector and the multi-jointed robotic arm to which the end effector is connected.

9. The medical navigation system according to claim 8 , further comprising:

a mechanical interface located at the second end of the handle portion.

10. The medical navigation system according to claim 9 , wherein the mechanical interface includes a dovetail interface with the scope clamp arm engaged therein and secured by a screw.

11. The medical navigation system according to claim 8 , wherein the camera mount connected to the second end of the handle portion has a second camera mounted thereon, with a cable connected to the second camera extending through the cable cut-out.

12. The medical navigation system according to claim 11 , wherein the second camera includes a situational awareness camera.

13. The medical navigation system according to claim 12 , wherein the mating component connects to the output flange with a dowel pin and is secured with at least one screw.

14. The medical navigation system according to claim 13 , wherein the trigger mechanism, the handle, a first camera, the second camera, the scope, the scope clamp arm, and the tracking marker frame all have respective center lines that are substantially aligned resulting in a thin profile that reduces obstruction of the view of a surgeon using the end effector in the medical navigation system.