Patent ID: 6932823
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus usable with a computer-assisted navigation system, the apparatus comprising: an instrument; a support structure releasably engageable with said instrument in a first predefined position and defining two adjacent and oppositely oriented dovetail-shaped projections having a common distal end, said distal end defining a fastener receptacle; at least one reference element connected to said support structure in a second predefined position, said at least one reference element being registrable in the computer-assisted navigation system; said first and second predefined positions and said support structure comprising a first predefined geometry of said at least one reference element relative to said instrument in each of six degrees of freedom; and a reference array releasably securable to said support structure in a third predefined position and defining a dovetail-shaped recess, said first, second, and third predefined positions and said support structure comprise a second predefined geometry of said reference array relative to said instrument in each of six degrees of freedom; wherein said reference array includes a fastener and is selectively mountable on one of said dovetail-shaped projections and is securable thereon by engagement of said fastener with said fastener receptacle upon said dovetail-shaped recess being engaged with either of said dovetail-shaped projections.