Patent ID: 8249696
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A bone navigation device, comprising: a bone screw having a rod-receiving recess and a threaded shank adapted to penetrate bone, the bone screw having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough and configured to emit light in the visible to near infrared range to illuminate bone and receive reflected light from the bone; a plurality of windows formed in a sidewall of the threaded shank of the bone screw adapted to allow light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the bone; and a processor configured to collect data from the at least one optical waveguide and to determine optical characteristics of the bone from which the light is transmitted or reflected; wherein the plurality of windows are spaced along a length of the shank such that when the bone screw is inserted in bone, the windows are positioned at different depths.