Tracker for a surgical navigation system
A tracker for a surgical navigation system, a tracker system, and a surgical navigation system are provided. The tracker comprises a carrier and an electrical circuit disposed on the carrier. The electrical circuit comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED, and a battery or a wireless power reception device configured to receive power wirelessly, wherein the battery or the wireless power reception device is configured to provide power to operate the at least one IR-LED. The electrical circuit is configured to limit a current for at least one of the at least one IR-LED to not exceed 15 mA.
1 . A tracker for a surgical navigation system, the tracker comprising:
a carrier; and
an electrical circuit disposed on the carrier, wherein the electrical circuit comprises:
at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED;
a battery or a wireless power reception device configured to receive power wirelessly, wherein the battery or the wireless power reception device is configured to provide power to operate the at least one IR-LED; and
at least one one-time use switch configured to electrically close at least one portion of the electrical circuit, wherein the at least one one-time use switch is operable exactly once to close the at least one portion of the electrical circuit.
2 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the tracker is configured for continuous or quasi-continuous operation of at least one of the at least one IR-LED.
3 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit is configured to limit a radiant intensity of at least one of the at least one IR-LED to not exceed 40 μ W/sr.
4 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is a button cell.
5 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the tracker comprises a plurality of IR-LEDs and a distance between at least two of the plurality of IR-LEDs is smaller than 40 mm.
6 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of arms and the tracker comprises a plurality of IR-LEDs, wherein at least one IR-LED is arranged on at least one arm.
7 . The tracker according to claim 1 , further comprising an interface that is configured for coupling the tracker to a surgical instrument or to a patient.
8 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the tracker comprises a plurality of IR-LEDs and the tracker is configured to operate at least two of the plurality of the IR-LEDs simultaneously.
9 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the weight of the tracker does not exceed 35 g.
10 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit is configured to limit a current for at least one of the at least one IR-LED to not exceed 15 mA.
11 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the tracker is a disposable item.
12 . The tracker according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit comprises at least one resistor configured to limit the current for at least one of the at least one IR-LED.
13 . The tracker according to claim 12 , wherein the current for the at least one of the at least one IR-LED is limited by an internal electrical resistance of the at least one of the at least one IR-LED and an electrical resistance of the at least one resistor electrically connected in series to the at least one of the at least one IR-LED.
14 . A tracker system comprising:
a surgical instrument; and
a tracker attached to the surgical instrument, the tracker comprising a carrier and an electrical circuit disposed on the carrier, wherein the electrical circuit comprises:
at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED;
a battery or a wireless power reception device configured to receive power wirelessly, wherein the battery or the wireless power reception device is configured to provide power to operate the at least one IR-LED; and
at least one one-time use switch configured to electrically close at least one portion of the electrical circuit, wherein the at least one one-time use switch is operable exactly once to close the at least one portion of the electrical circuit.
15 . The tracker system according to claim 14 , wherein the tracker is attached to a shaft of the surgical instrument.
16 . The tracker system of claim 14 , further comprising a camera capable of detecting light of the at least one IR-LED and of generating a camera signal indicative of the detected light.
17 . The tracker system according to claim 16 , further comprising a processor capable of receiving the camera signal and at least one of registering and tracking the tracker based on the received camera signal.
18 . The tracker system according to claim 16 , wherein the camera comprises at least one two-dimensional image sensor.
19 . The tracker system according to claim 16 , wherein the camera comprises at least one lens for focusing the infrared light emitted by the at least one IR-LED.
20 . A method of operating a tracker, wherein the tracker comprises a carrier and an electrical circuit disposed on the carrier, wherein the electrical circuit comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode, IR-LED, wherein the electrical circuit further comprises a battery or a wireless power reception device configured to receive power wirelessly, and wherein the electrical circuit further comprises at least one one-time use switch configured to electrically close at least one portion of the electrical circuit, wherein the at least one one-time use switch is operable exactly once to close the at least one portion of the electrical circuit, the method comprising operating the at least one one-time use switch exactly once to close the at least one portion of the electrical circuit.