Patent ID: 11911112
Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  B | IPC A  B

Claim 5:
6. A robotic navigation system comprising:
a robot comprising:
a base, including a computer;
a display electronically coupled to the computer;
a robot arm electronically coupled to the computer and movable based on commands processed by the computer;
an end-effector electronically coupled to the robot arm, the end-effector including a quick-connector;

a camera configured to detect one or more tracking markers; and
a navigable instrument including an array of spaced apart posts, wherein the navigable instrument is configured to access, prepare, and/or place an implant;
wherein each of the one or more tracking markers includes:
a circular disk having a circular reflective surface for passive reflection of light for optical recognition by the camera, the circular disk being made of metal for recognition by an imaging system;
a lower portion extending downwardly from the reflective surface and including a slot for receiving a corresponding post of the navigable instrument; and
an annular ring frame circumferentially surrounding and disposed over the circular disk and configured to provide optical contrast relative to the reflective surface of the circular disk;

wherein the computer includes an image processing application programmed to receive an optical image of the each tracking marker from the camera and to determine a center point of the circular disk which lies on a plane defined by the reflective surface based on the received optical image regardless of the orientation of the circular disk relative to the camera.