Patent ID: 7636595
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A system to navigate an instrument relative to a portion of a patient's anatomy, comprising: an instrument including an engaging end, a working end, and a non-linear shaft extending between said engaging end and said working end; a member selectively engageable to said engaging end such that said member is operable to be engaged and disengaged from said engaging end; a first tracking sensor interconnected with said instrument at said working end of said shaft; and a tracking system configured to track said first tracking sensor; wherein said tracking system comprises a processor configured to determine an orientation of said member relative to said first tracking sensor when said member is engaged to said engaging end by: wherein said engaging end defines a first axis that is non-coaxial with a second axis defined by said working end such that said first tracking sensor is connected to the working end of the shaft that is non-coaxial and non-linear with said engaging end.