Patent ID: 12201375

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description herein or illustrated in the drawings. The teachings of the present disclosure may be used and practiced in other embodiments and practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the present disclosure. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of the embodiments.

Turning now to the drawing,FIGS.1and2illustrate a surgical robot system100in accordance with some embodiments. Surgical robot system100may include, for example, a surgical robot102, one or more robot arms104, a display110, an end-effector112, for example, including a guide tube114, and an end effector reference array which can include one or more tracking markers. The surgical robot system100may include a patient reference array116with a plurality of tracking markers, which is adapted to be secured directly to the patient210(e.g., to a bone of the patient210). Another reference array170is attached or formed on an instrument. The surgical robot system100may also utilize a tracking camera200, for example, positioned on a camera tracking system component202. The camera tracking system component202can have any suitable configuration to move, orient, and support the tracking camera200in a desired position, and may contain a computer operable to track pose of reference arrays. The tracking camera200may include any suitable camera or cameras, such as one or more infrared cameras (e.g., bifocal or stereophotogrammetric cameras), able to identify, for example, active and passive tracking markers for various reference arrays attached as the patient210(patient reference array), end effector112(end effector reference array), extended reality (XR) headset(s)150a-150bworn by a surgeon120and/or a surgical assistant126, etc. in a given measurement volume viewable from the perspective of the tracking camera200. The tracking camera200may track markers170attached to an surgical tool or other instrument manipulated by a user. The tracking camera200may scan the given measurement volume and detect the light that is emitted or reflected from the reference arrays in order to identify and determine poses of the reference arrays in three-dimensions. For example, active reference arrays may include infrared-emitting markers that are activated by an electrical signal (e.g., infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs)), and passive reference arrays may include retro-reflective markers that reflect infrared light (e.g., they reflect incoming IR radiation into the direction of the incoming light), for example, emitted by illuminators on the tracking camera200or other suitable device.

As will be explained in further detail below, in some embodiments the camera tracking system component202can operate to enable a remote operator who is wearing a remote XR headset to visualize and interact with 3D computer images which are also viewable by a local operator who is wearing a local XR headset, e.g., HMD1150aand/or HMD2150b, while performing a surgical procedure on the patient. In some further embodiments, the remote operator wearing the remote XR headset may be able to visualize and control medical equipment that is remote from the remote operator during use of the medical equipment by the local operator. In some additional or alternative embodiments, the camera tracking system component202can operate to enable the enable XR headset, e.g., HMD1150aand/or HMD2150b, to be used to visualize and control various types of medical equipments. The camera tracking system component202may be part of the surgical robot102or another system component.

The XR headsets150aand150bmay each include tracking cameras that can track poses of reference arrays within their camera field-of-views (FOVs)152and154, respectively. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG.1, the poses of reference arrays attached to various objects in the FOVs152and154of the XR headsets150aand150band a FOV600of the tracking cameras200, e.g., mounted to an auxiliary tracking bar.

FIGS.1and2illustrate a potential configuration for the placement of the surgical robot system100in an operating room environment. For example, the robot102may be positioned near or next to patient210. Although depicted near the head of the patient210, it will be appreciated that the robot102can be positioned at any suitable location near the patient210depending on the area of the patient210undergoing the operation. The tracking camera200may be separated from the robot system100and positioned at the foot of patient210. This location allows the tracking camera200to have a direct visual line of sight to the surgical field208. Again, it is contemplated that the tracking camera200may be located at any suitable position having line of sight to the surgical field208. In the configuration shown, the surgeon120may be positioned across from the robot102, but is still able to manipulate the end-effector112and the display110. A surgical assistant126may be positioned across from the surgeon120again with access to both the end-effector112and the display110. If desired, the locations of the surgeon120and the assistant126may be reversed. The traditional areas for the anesthesiologist122and the nurse or scrub tech124remain unimpeded by the locations of the robot102and camera200. The anesthesiologist122can operate anesthesia equipment which can include a display34.

With respect to the other components of the robot102, the display110can be attached to the surgical robot102and in other example embodiments, display110can be detached from surgical robot102, either within a surgical room with the surgical robot102, or in a remote location. End-effector112may be coupled to the robot arm104and controlled by at least one motor. In example embodiments, end-effector112can comprise a guide tube114, which is able to receive and orient a surgical instrument608(described further herein) used to perform surgery on the patient210.

As used herein, the term “end-effector” is used interchangeably with the terms “end-effectuator” and “effectuator element.” The term “instrument” is used in a non-limiting manner and can be used interchangeably with “tool” to generally refer to any type of device that can be used during a surgical procedure in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Example instruments include, without limitation, drills, screwdrivers, saws, dilators, retractors, probes, implant inserters, and implants such as a screws, spacers, interbody fusion devices, plates, rods, etc. Although generally shown with a guide tube114, it will be appreciated that the end-effector112may be replaced with any suitable instrumentation suitable for use in surgery. In some embodiments, end-effector112can comprise any known structure for effecting the movement of the surgical instrument608in a desired manner.

The surgical robot102is operable to control the translation and orientation of the end-effector112. The robot102is operable to move end-effector112under computer control along x-, y-, and z-axes, for example. The end-effector112can be configured for selective rotation about one or more of the x-, y-, and z-axis, and a Z Frame axis (such that one or more of the Euler Angles (e.g., roll, pitch, and/or yaw) associated with end-effector112can be selectively computer controlled). In some example embodiments, selective control of the translation and orientation of end-effector112can permit performance of medical procedures with significantly improved accuracy compared to conventional robots that utilize, for example, a six degree of freedom robot arm comprising only rotational axes. For example, the surgical robot system100may be used to operate on patient210, and robot arm104can be positioned above the body of patient210, with end-effector112selectively angled relative to the z-axis toward the body of patient210.

In some example embodiments, the pose of the surgical instrument can be dynamically updated so that surgical robot102can be aware of the pose of the surgical instrument at all times during the procedure. Consequently, in some example embodiments, surgical robot102can move the surgical instrument to the desired pose quickly without any further assistance from a surgeon.

As used herein, the term “pose” refers to the position and/or the rotational angle of one object (e.g., dynamic reference array, end-effector, surgical instrument, anatomical structure, etc.) relative to another object and/or to a defined coordinate system. A pose may therefore be defined based on only the multidimensional position of one object relative to another object and/or relative to a defined coordinate system, based on only the multidimensional rotational angles of the object relative to another object and/or to a defined coordinate system, or based on a combination of the multidimensional position and the multidimensional rotational angles. The term “pose” therefore is used to refer to position, rotational angle, or combination thereof.

In some further embodiments, surgical robot102can be configured to correct the path of a surgical instrument guided by the robot arm104if the surgical instrument strays from the selected, preplanned trajectory. In some example embodiments, surgical robot102can be configured to permit stoppage, modification, and/or manual control of the movement of end-effector112and/or the surgical instrument. Thus, in use, in example embodiments, a surgeon or other user can operate the system100, and has the option to stop, modify, or manually control the autonomous movement of end-effector112and/or the surgical instrument.

Reference arrays can be formed on or connected to robot arm104, end-effector112, patient210, and/or the surgical instrument to track poses in 6 degree-of-freedom (e.g., position along 3 orthogonal axes and rotation about the axes). In example embodiments, a reference array including a plurality of tracking markers can be provided thereon (e.g., formed-on or connected-to) to an outer surface of the robot102, such as on robot102, on robot arm104, and/or on the end-effector112. A patient reference array including one or more tracking markers can further be provided on the patient210(e.g., formed-on or connected-to). An instrument reference array including one or more tracking markers can be provided on surgical instruments (e.g., a screwdriver, dilator, implant inserter, or the like). The reference arrays enable each of the marked objects (e.g., the end-effector112, the patient210, and the surgical instruments608) to be tracked by the tracking camera200, and the tracked poses can be used to provide navigation guidance to a surgical procedure and/or used to control movement of the surgical robot102for guiding the end-effector112and/or an instrument attached to the robot arm104. In example embodiments, the surgical robot system100can use tracking information collected from each of the reference arrays to calculate the pose (e.g., orientation and location), for example, of the end-effector112, the surgical instrument608(e.g., positioned in the tube114of the end-effector112), and the relative position of the patient210.

FIG.3illustrates further details of the surgical robot system100and tracking camera200ofFIG.1. Referring toFIG.3the surgical robot system100includes the surgical robot102including a display110, upper arm306, lower arm308, end-effector112, vertical column312, casters314, tablet drawer318, and ring324which uses lights to indicate statuses and other information. The tracking camera200is supported by the camera tracking system component202.

FIG.4illustrates a base400which may be a portion of surgical robot system100and cabinet106. Cabinet106may house certain components of surgical robot system100including but not limited to a battery402, a power distribution module404, a platform interface board module406, a computer408, a handle412, and a tablet drawer414. The connections and relationship between these components is described in greater detail with respect toFIG.5.

FIG.5illustrates a block diagram of certain components of an example embodiment of surgical robot system100. Surgical robot system100may include platform subsystem502, computer subsystem504, motion control subsystem506, and tracking subsystem532. Platform subsystem502may further include battery402, power distribution module404, platform interface board module406, and tablet charging station534. Computer subsystem504may include computer408, display110, and speaker536. Motion control subsystem506may include driver circuit508, motors510,512,514,516,518, stabilizers520,522,524,526, end-effector112, and controller538. Tracking subsystem532may include position sensor540and camera converter542. System100may include a foot pedal544that can be actuated to control movement of the end effector112, e.g., stop-start and/or regulate speed of movement, and tablet computer546which provides a touch-display interface for operators of the surgical robot system100.

Input power is supplied to surgical robot system100via a power supply548which may be provided to power distribution module404. Power distribution module404receives input power and is configured to generate different power supply voltages that are provided to other modules, components, and subsystems of surgical robot system100. Power distribution module404may be configured to provide different voltage supplies to platform interface board module406, which may be provided to other components such as computer408, display110, speaker536, driver circuit508to, for example, power motors512,514,516,518and end-effector112, motor510, ring324, camera converter542, and other components for surgical robot system100for example, fans for cooling the electrical components within cabinet106.

Power distribution module404may also provide power to other components such as tablet charging station534that may be located within tablet drawer318. Tablet charging station534may be in wireless or wired communication with tablet546for charging tablet546. Tablet546may be used by a surgeon consistent with the present disclosure.

Power distribution module404may also be connected to battery402, which serves as temporary power source in the event that power distribution module404does not receive power from power supply548. At other times, power distribution module404may serve to charge battery402if necessary.

Other components of platform subsystem502may also include connector panel320, control panel322, and ring324. Connector panel320may serve to connect different devices and components to surgical robot system100and/or associated components and modules. Connector panel320may contain one or more ports that receive lines or connections from different components. For example, connector panel320may have a ground terminal port that may ground surgical robot system100to other equipment, a port to connect foot pedal544to surgical robot system100, a port to connect to tracking subsystem532, which may comprise position sensor540, camera converter542, and cameras326associated with camera tracking system component202. Connector panel320may also include other ports to allow USB, Ethernet, HDMI communications to other components, such as computer408. In accordance with some embodiments, connector panel320may provide a wireless (e.g., WiFi 802.11, cellular 4G, 5G, NR, etc.) and/or wired communication connection with extended reality (XR) headsets150(e.g.,150aand150binFIG.1) worn by the surgeon120, surgical assistant126, anesthesiologist122, and/or the nurse or scrub tech124, etc.

Control panel322may provide various buttons or indicators that control operation of surgical robot system100and/or provide information regarding surgical robot system100. For example, control panel322may include buttons to power on or off surgical robot system100, lift or lower vertical column312, and lift or lower stabilizers520-526that may be designed to engage casters314to lock surgical robot system100from physically moving. Other buttons may stop surgical robot system100in the event of an emergency, which may remove all motor power and apply mechanical brakes to stop all motion from occurring. Control panel322may also have indicators notifying the user of certain system conditions such as a line power indicator or status of charge for battery402.

Ring324may be a visual indicator to notify the user of surgical robot system100of different modes that surgical robot system100is operating under and certain warnings to the user.

Computer subsystem504includes computer408, display110, and speaker536. Computer504includes an operating system and software to operate surgical robot system100. Computer504may receive and process information from other components (for example, tracking subsystem532, platform subsystem502, and/or motion control subsystem506) in order to display information to the user. Further, computer subsystem504may also include speaker536to provide audio to the user.

Tracking subsystem532may include position sensor540and camera converter542. Tracking subsystem532may correspond to camera tracking system component202including tracking camera200as described with respect toFIG.3. Position sensor540may be tracking camera200. Tracking subsystem may track the pose of certain markers that are located on the different components of surgical robot system100and/or instruments used by a user during a surgical procedure. This tracking may be conducted in a manner consistent with the present disclosure including the use of infrared technology that tracks the pose of active or passive elements, such as LEDs or reflective markers, respectively. The pose of structures having these types of markers may be provided to computer408which may be shown to a user on display110. For example, a surgical instrument having these types of markers and tracked in this manner (which may be referred to as a navigational space) may be shown to a user in relation to a three dimensional image of a patient's anatomical structure.

Motion control subsystem506may be configured to physically move vertical column312, upper arm306, lower arm308, or rotate end-effector112. The physical movement may be conducted through the use of one or more motors510-518. For example, motor510may be configured to vertically lift or lower vertical column312. Motor512may be configured to laterally move upper arm308around a point of engagement with vertical column312as shown inFIG.3. Motor514may be configured to laterally move lower arm308around a point of engagement with upper arm308as shown inFIG.3. Motors516and518may be configured to move end-effector112in a manner such that one may control the roll and one may control the tilt, thereby providing multiple angles that end-effector112may be moved. These movements may be achieved by controller538which may control these movements through load cells disposed on end-effector112and activated by a user engaging these load cells to move surgical robot system100in a desired manner.

Moreover, surgical robot system100may provide for automatic movement of vertical column312, upper arm306, and lower arm308through a user indicating on display110(which may be a touchscreen input device) the pose of a surgical instrument or component on three dimensional image of the patient's anatomy on display110. The user may initiate this automatic movement by stepping on foot pedal544or some other input means.

Turning now toFIGS.6A-6C, the surgical robot system100relies on accurate positioning of the end-effector112, surgical instruments608, and/or the patient210(e.g., patient reference array116) relative to the desired surgical area. In the embodiments shown in FIGS.FIGS.6A-6C, the reference arrays include tracking markers118,804which are rigidly attached to a portion of the instrument608and/or end-effector112.

FIG.6Adepicts part of the surgical robot system100with the robot102including base106, robot arm104, and end-effector112. The other elements, not illustrated, such as the display, marker tracking cameras, etc. may also be present as described herein.FIG.6Bdepicts a close-up view of the end-effector112with guide tube114and a reference array that includes a plurality of tracking markers118rigidly affixed to the end-effector112. In this embodiment, the plurality of tracking markers118are attached to the end-effector112configured as a guide tube.FIG.6Cdepicts an instrument608(in this case, a probe) with a plurality of tracking markers804rigidly affixed to the instrument608. As described elsewhere herein, the instrument608could include any suitable surgical instrument, such as, but not limited to, guide wire, cannula, a retractor, a drill, a reamer, a screwdriver, an insertion instrument, a removal instrument, or the like.

InFIG.6C, the reference array612functions as the handle620of the instrument608. Four markers804are attached to the handle620in a manner that is out of the way of the shaft622and tip624. Stereophotogrammetric tracking by the tracking camera200of these four markers804allows the instrument608to be tracked as a rigid body and for the system100to precisely determine the location of the tip624and the orientation of the shaft622while the instrument608is moved within view of tracking camera200.

To enable automatic tracking of one or more instruments608, end-effector112, or other object to be tracked in 3D (e.g., multiple rigid bodies), the markers118,804on each instrument608, end-effector112, or the like, may be arranged asymmetrically with a known inter-marker spacing. The reason for asymmetric alignment is so that it is unambiguous which marker118,804corresponds to a particular pose on the rigid body and whether markers118,804are being viewed from the front or back, i.e., mirrored. For example, if the markers118,804were arranged in a square on the instrument608or end-effector112, it would be unclear to the system100,300,600which marker118,804corresponded to which corner of the square. For example, for the instrument608, it would be unclear which marker804was closest to the shaft622. Thus, it would be unknown which way the shaft622was extending from the array612. Accordingly, each array612and thus each instrument608, end-effector112, or other object to be tracked should have a unique marker pattern to allow it to be distinguished from other instruments608or other objects being tracked.

Asymmetry and unique marker patterns allow the tracking camera200and system100to detect individual markers118,804then to check the marker spacing against a stored template to determine which instrument608, end-effector112, or another object they represent. Detected markers118,804can then be sorted automatically and assigned to each tracked object in the correct order. Without this information, rigid body calculations could not then be performed to extract key geometric information, for example, such as instrument tip624and alignment of the shaft622, unless the user manually specified which detected marker118,804corresponded to which position on each rigid body.

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate medical imaging systems1304that may be used in conjunction with robot system100and/or navigation systems to acquire pre-operative, intra-operative, post-operative, and/or real-time image data of patient210. Any appropriate subject matter may be imaged for any appropriate procedure using the imaging system1304. The imaging system1304may be any imaging device such as a C-arm1308device, an O-arm1306device, a fluoroscopy imaging device, a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, etc. It may be desirable to take x-rays of patient210from a number of different positions, without the need for frequent manual repositioning of patient210which may be required in an x-ray system. As illustrated inFIG.7A, the imaging system1304may be in the form of a C-arm1308that includes an elongated C-shaped member terminating in opposing distal ends1312of the “C” shape. C-shaped member1130may further comprise an x-ray source1314and an image receptor1316. The space within C-arm1308of the arm may provide room for the physician to attend to the patient substantially free of interference from x-ray support structure1318. As illustrated inFIG.7B, the imaging system1304may include an O-arm imaging device1306having a gantry housing1324attached to a support structure imaging device support structure1328, such as a wheeled mobile cart1330with wheels1332, which may enclose an image capturing portion, not illustrated. The image capturing portion may include an x-ray source and/or emission portion and an x-ray receiving and/or image receiving portion, which may be disposed about one hundred and eighty degrees from each other and mounted on a rotor (not illustrated) relative to a track of the image capturing portion. The image capturing portion may be operable to rotate three hundred and sixty degrees during image acquisition. The image capturing portion may rotate around a central point and/or axis, allowing image data of patient210to be acquired from multiple directions or in multiple planes. Although certain imaging systems1304are exemplified herein, it will be appreciated that any suitable imaging system may be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Using XR Headset for Remote Assistance and Controlling Medical Equipment

As was explained above, the numbers and diversity of medical equipment which can be present in an operating room can make it complex to properly position and control the equipment through numerous different user interfaces before and during a surgical procedure. Moreover, the medical equipment is usually controlled through physical user interfaces which necessitate that operators be proximately located thereto, and there is a need to minimize or avoid unnecessary touching of physical user interfaces in order to maintain sterility.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to camera tracking systems and associated methods and computer program products that enable a remote operator who is wearing a remote XR headset to visualize and interact with 3D computer images which are also viewable by another operator (local operator) who is wearing a local XR headset while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. Moreover, the remote operator wearing the remote XR headset may be able to visualize and control medical equipment that is remote from the remote operator during surgical use of the medical equipment by the local operator.

An XR headset may be configured to augment a real-world scene with computer generated XR images. The XR headset may be configured to provide an augmented reality (AR) viewing environment by displaying the computer generated XR images on a see-through display screen that allows light from the real-world scene to pass therethrough for combined viewing by the user. Alternatively, the XR headset may be configured to provide a virtual reality (VR) viewing environment by preventing or substantially preventing light from the real-world scene from being directly viewed by the user while the user is viewing the computer generated AR images on a display screen. An XR headset can be configured to provide both AR and VR viewing environments. Thus, the term XR headset can referred to as an AR headset and/or a VR headset.

Remote Assistance and Training Via XR and Machine Vision Navigated Surgery

Navigated surgery introduces tracking information which is not present in traditional surgeries, but the addition of timestamped and synchronized sensor-rich XR headsets and visible light machine vision (MV) navigation systems enables users to be visually provided with a information-rich environment during pre-operative planning and inter-operative performance of a surgical procedure.

Various embodiments are explained that connect, share, interface and manipulate information generated by medical equipment and/or user operators in such a way that remote surgical assistance, training and procedure reviews can be greatly improved.

These embodiments may enable visualizing, manipulating, sharing and prioritizing relevant information in such a way that user operators not physically present in the operating room or testing lab can feel a sense of connectivity and immersion as if they were local during the surgical procedure. This increased connectivity and immersion greatly increases the effectiveness of user operators providing remote assistance to surgeons, surgical assistants, etc. while also greatly improving the potential of remote training applications.

Although various embodiments are described in the context of orthopedic surgery, they are not limited to any type of surgery. Moreover, the embodiments are not limited to using visible light optical tracking sensors, but instead can be operate with tracking information provided by inertial sensors, etc.

Various embodiments are now described with reference toFIG.8.

FIG.8illustrates an overhead view of a local arrangement of equipment in a local environment800, such as an operating room, and remote arrangement of equipment in a temporally and/or spatially separated remote environment810where a remote operator812who is wearing a remote XR headset150cis operationally able to visualize and interact with 3D computer images which are also viewable by a local operator, e.g., surgeon120, surgical assistant126, etc. who is wearing a local XR headset150a,150b, etc. while performing a surgical procedure on a patient, in accordance with some embodiments. The remote XR headset150ccan include tracking cameras that operate to track poses of a remote reference array814and an instrument reference array816. Alternatively additionally, another tracking camera can be proximately located to the remote operator812to tracking poses of tracking arrays which, for example, are within the field-of-view of the remote operator812. The remote operator812may view information displayed on a physical display device818which may include a microphone820. In accordance with some embodiments, a camera tracking system is communicatively connected to at least some of the local equipment in the local environment800(e.g., OR) and at least some of the remote equipment in the remote environment810through at least one network, e.g., private or public network such as the Internet. The camera tracking system may be part of the camera tracking system component202, the surgical robot102, and/or another component residing in the local environment800, the remote environment810, and/or another location connected to the network820.

Moreover, the remote operator812wearing the remote XR headset150cmay be able to visualize and control medical equipment in the local environment800during use of the medical equipment by the local operator120,126, etc.

As used herein, the term “remote” signifies an operator who is not physically present in the operating room (OR) or testing lab in the (1) spatial sense (2) temporal sense or both (3) spatial and temporal sense. This means that communication can be real-time with a remote operator at another location (1) or information can be recorded for playback and analysis in the cases of (2) and (3). Generally speaking, remote operators of type (1) are more likely to be providing technically assistance or expert support while (2) and (3) are more likely to be for either training purposes of for after-the-fact issue analysis (e.g., technical problem reporting).

The camera tracking system may use tracking information and other information from multiple XR headsets150aand150bsuch as inertial tracking information and optical tracking information as well as (optional) microphone information. The XR headsets150aand150boperate to display visual information and play-out audio information to the wearer. This information can be from local sources (e.g., the surgical robot102, and other medical equipment in the local environment800), remote sources (e.g., patient medical image server), and/or other electronic equipment. The XR headsets150aand150btrack apparatus such as instruments, patient references and end effectors in 6 degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF). They also track the hands of the wearer by tracking the position of, e.g., 24 recognizable points on the hands. The XR headsets150aand150bmay also operate to track hand poses and gestures to enable gesture based interactions with “virtual” buttons and interfaces displayed through the XR headsets150aand150band can also interpret hand or finger pointing or gesturing as various defined commands. Additionally, the XR headsets150aand150bmay have a 1-10× magnification digital color camera sensor called a digital loupe.

As explained above, there can be, and often is, an “outside-in” machine vision navigation bar (tracking cameras200) in the local environment800. The navigation bar tracks instruments and may include a color camera. The machine vision navigation bar generally has a more stable view of the environment because it does not move as often or as quickly as the XR headsets150aand150btend to move while positioned on wearers' heads. The patient reference array116is generally rigidly attached to the patient with stable pitch and roll relative to gravity. This local rigid patient reference116can serve as a common reference for reference frames relative to other tracked arrays, such as a reference array on the end effector112, instrument reference array170, and reference arrays on the XR headsets150aand150b.

In some embodiments, one or more of the XR headsets150aand150bare minimalistic XR headsets that display local or remote information but include fewer sensors and are therefore more lightweight.

One or more 2D monitors (e.g., display34inFIG.1) and computer systems may be provided in the local environment800for alternative touch, mouse, and/or keyboard interfaces that are also viewable by local individuals who are or are not wearing XR headsets. These 2D monitors may or may not be draped for sterility purposes.

In addition to live and recorded sensor information, there is also important local information in the form of the current software state located in, e.g., a navigation controller or cloud server. For example, a navigation “plan” for navigated implanting of screws and/or other devices may be viewed and adapted om navigation guidance information that is provided to the XR headsets150aand150band/or 2D monitor for display.

The machine vision cameras may generate color video streams of the patient, cadaver, phantom, etc. The patient, cadaver, phantom, etc. may also be reconstructed by any combination of machine vision and color cameras to generate a 3D surface model thereof.

InFIG.8, the medical equipment within the local environment800is positioned locally adjacent to the patient and the human operators, e.g., surgeon, surgical assistance, trainee or support staff. In contrast, the remote equipment within the remote environment810is remotely located from local environment OR800and is not directly observable by the tracking cameras of the camera tracking system component202and/or of the local XR headsets150aand150b. The remote environment810may, for example be physically remote (e.g., the other side of the world) or temporally remote (e.g., in the same location but days later for training/visualization/understanding purposes).

In one embodiment, a minimum equipment confirmation for a remote environment810is a 2D monitor and user interface (e.g., touchscreen or mouse and keyboard) that enables a remote operator812to visualize and interact with 3D computer images which are also viewable by a local operator in the local environment800who is wearing a local XR headset150aor150bwhile performing a surgical procedure on a patient. For example, the remote operator812may view one or more color or monocular video streams generated by cameras in the local environment800via the network830. In some embodiments, the remote operator812can also view the location of instruments relative to patient anatomy or CT scans. When the remote environment810is not temporally remote, the remote operator812can interact in real-time with the local operator(s), such as by graphically highlighting, marking-up, and/or modifying information that is displayed to the local operators120,128, etc. via the local XR headset150aor150band/or a 2D display device.

For example, a surgical plan may be modified by the remote operator812in response to something seen by the remote operator812on the live views or feedback received from surgical robot102end effector112sensors or something seen in preoperative or intraoperative patient image scans. A minimum remote environment can be extended via the use of a microphone820and video camera sensors, e.g., in the remote XR headset150c, which enhances communication by allowing local operators to hear and see guidance from the remote operator812.

The potential of assistance and/or training applications can be significantly enhanced by the operations enabling the remote operator to view and visually interact through the remote XR headset150cwith information viewed by the local operator through the local XR headset150a/150band, vice versa, for the local operator to view information the local XR headset150a/150bgenerated by the remote operator. The remote XR headset150cmay operate to track pose of an instrument array816, e.g., stylus array, which may be manipulated by the remote operator812to generate graphical information that is provided to the local operator for viewing through the local XR headset150a/150b.

With digital information being shared between the remote environment810and the local environment800via the network830, spatial information can be transformed, presented and manipulated in visually meaningful, intuitive and useful coordinate systems.

In some embodiments, the local XR headsets150aand150band the remote XR headset150care each tracked in “locally level” coordinate systems using accelerometers in the respective headsets, which enables tracking to be performed relative to gravity. Gravity (pitch and roll) is presumed to be constant across the remote environment810and the local environment800. Because of this, a single 4 DOF (X, Y, Z position and heading) transformation can be applied for transformations relating to the remote XR headset150cso that the displayed content is configured to float in front of the remote XR headset150cin roughly the same location as the same content is displayed through the local XR headsets150aand150b.

At least one processor can configured to receive tracking information from tracking cameras which identifies poses of tracked reference arrays relative to various defined reference frames, which may include the following:1) p-frame: local patient reference frame;2) v-frame: the remote (or virtual) reference frame;3) s-frame: the local XR headset150a/150breference frame (e.g., for a surgeon or assistance wearing the local XR headset150a/150bwhile performing a medical procedure on the patient); and4) a-frame: the remote XR headset150creference frame (e.g., for a remote surgeon, assistance, or trainee wearing the remote XR headset150cwhile viewing information relating to the medical procedure on the patient).

The 6 DOF affine transformation between the s and p frames are estimated by the local tracking apparatus as are the transformations between the a and v frames. The 6 DOF transformations are referred to as Tps and and Tva, respectively. In some embodiments, accelerometers in the remote XR headset150cenable the 3D content to be transformed from a pose for displaying through the local XR headset150a/150bto a transformed pose for displaying through the remote XR headset150c. Posing the 3D content in a desired location for remote user to view through the remote XR headset150cmay include posing the 3D content in front of the remote operator812(e.g., X and Y position) at an appropriate height (e.g., Z position) and with a desired heading or yaw (e.g., orientation about the up/down Z axis). Denoting the XYZ translation vectors as r and the heading angles as φ, measurements are then needed of rsp, ray, φsp, and φav.

The at least one processor (“processor”) computes a difference in translation and heading between the local p-frame and the remote v-frame. When it is determined that a local XR headset150a/150bis within a desired range of poses, the remote operator812may initiate computation, e.g., by pressing a button or performing a defined hand gesture which is tracked by a tracking camera (e.g., part of the remote XR headset150c) to compute these 4-DOF deltas as follows:
φδ=φsp−φav
rδ=rsp−rav

The remote XR headset150ccontinues directly tracking Tva directly as independent ray and Ravtranslation and direction cosine matrix components. The φδand rδyaw and translation deltas are applied to the virtual content in order to make it appear in roughly the same location for local and remote XR headset wearers. If the remote operator812wants to see and interact with the content from a different perspective than the local operator120/126, the remote operator812can initiate rotation of the content heading φδvia a defined remote AR headset150ccommand to create an angularly offset, such as on the opposite side of a virtual bed, and interact with the local operator120/126based on the angularly offset view.

With the operational ability to communicatively share all sensor, aligned tracking, and software state information between operators in the local and remote environments800and810, communication among operators becomes highly intuitive. 2D screen sharing can include generating virtual 2D screens which are viewed through XR headsets in one or both environments800and810. Virtual 2D screens can be generated for viewing the XR headsets to show the state of the other environment's 2D monitor or general information. For example, remote operator812can view through remote XR headset150ca virtual 2D screen showing information generated for medical equipment within local environment800and vice versa. The shared information can include, without limitation, annotations and mark-ups of medical imagery, annotations or markups of still images captured from sensors, video chat feeds or 2D renderings of remote AR content, etc.

The remote operator812wearing the remote XR headset150ccan be operationally provided multiple XR specific ways of interacting with the local operator120/126. For example, a tool reference array816, e.g., on a stylus, can be used and shown as a “remote stylus” or “remote hand” via virtual content displayed on the local XR headset150a/150band/or on the 2D local display in the local environment800. A virtual representation of the remote user's head location can also be displayed on the local XR headset150a/150band/or on the 2D local display in the local environment800for improved social interaction (e.g., nodding, head shaking or exact perspective become intuitively apparent). With the ability to point out detailed information or draw 3D virtual mark-ups via stylus (e.g., where to make incisions or place a quatrospike), point or gesture with hands and head without temporal and physical proximity restriction, a remote operator812(e.g., experts or clinical representatives) can be virtually present in the OR and offer live support.

In some embodiments, live data feeds of digital information are shared between the local and remote environments800and810during navigated procedures, which can enhance communication between on-site and remote staff and allows for improved training and assistance during and after surgeries. Examples of digital information which can be shared include:

a. Navigation video feeds: automated diagnostic and information mark-ups draw attention to important information, views show everything that the navigation cameras can see and are in visible light.

b. Color navigation view and digital loupe: a live perspective of the navigation camera as well as what the surgeon/physician's assistant is looking at in full color and high resolution.

c. Instrument and end effector tracking: enables the remote operator to see in 3D where all instruments, end effectors and other surgical apparatus are in real-time.

d. Remote “stylus” tracking: allows remote operator to point out objects with an accurately tracked stylus pose.

e. Hand tracking: allows remote operator to point out objects using hand gestures in an intuitive manner.

f. Head tracking: allow local and remote operators to visually observe where each other is looking relative to the patient and medical equipment.

g. Plan information, timers, notes checklists and metadata: synchronizing such information via the network830enable the remote operator812to know the state of the planned versus executed surgery at all times and update plans or details accordingly.

h. CT data and other medical imagery: important CT and other 2D and 3D medical imagery can be viewed and marked-up in real-time (data may include planned implant placement) by the remote operator812via the remote XR headset812.

i. 3d surface reconstructions: reconstructions of the scene in 3d via machine vision cameras can add to the information and sense of immersion or perspective of the remote operator812.

The remote operator812may directly remotely control medical equipment in the local environment800and/or provide textual and/or graphical recommendations/instructions to the local operator(s)120and126via hand gestures and/or movement of the instrument (stylus) reference array816tracked by the remote XR headset150cand/or another tracking camera.

Various camera tracking systems are now described which transform the local XR headset150a/150bview of a 3D computer image for display through the remote XR headset150crelative to the remote reference array814.

FIG.9is a flowchart of operations by a camera tracking system for enabling a remote operator wearing a remote XR headset150cto visualize and interact with 3D computer images which are also viewable by a local operator wearing a local XR headset150a/150bwhile performing a surgical procedure on a patient, in accordance with some embodiments.

Referring toFIG.9, camera tracking system includes at least one processor (“processor” for brevity) operative to receive900patient reference tracking information indicating pose of a patient reference array116tracked by a patient tracking camera200relative to a patient reference frame116. The processor is further operative to determine902a local XR headset view pose transform between a local XR headset reference frame of a local XR headset150a/150band the patient reference frame using the patient reference tracking information. The processor is further operative to receive904remote reference tracking information indicating pose of a remote reference array814tracked by a remote reference tracking camera, e.g., part of remote XR headset816). The processor is further operative to determine906a remote XR headset view pose transform between a remote XR headset reference frame of a remote XR headset150cand the remote reference array using the remote reference tracking information. The processor is further operative to transform908a 3D computer image from a local pose determined using the local XR headset view pose transform to a remote pose determined using the remote XR headset view pose transform which outputs a transformed 3D computer image. The processor is further operative to provide910the transformed 3D computer image to the remote XR headset150cfor display with the remote pose relative to the remote XR headset reference frame.

The processor may be further operative to transform the 3D computer image from the local pose to the remote pose while the patient tracking camera is remote from the remote reference tracking camera150cand not positioned to track pose of the remote reference array814, and while the remote reference tracking camera150cis not positioned to track pose of the patient reference array116, e.g., because the local environment800and the remote environment810are spatially and/or temporarily offset.

As explained above, a 4 degree-of-freedom (DOF) transformation can be used instead of a 6 DOF transformation using an accelerometer matters in the local and remote XR headsets150a/150band150cand an assumption that the local and remote environments800and810are subject to the same gravity vector. Using a 4 DOF transformation can substantially reduce the computing and memory resources that would otherwise be required for performing a 6 DOF transformation at a frequency that allows real-time update of displayed information. Accordingly, in one embodiment the processor is further operative to determine a 4 DOF pose of the remote XR headset based on measured movement along three orthogonal axes of the remote XR headset reference frame and rotation about one of the three orthogonal axes aligned with gravitational direction. The operation to transform the 3D computer image from the local pose determined using the local XR headset view pose transform to the remote pose determined using the remote XR headset view pose transform, includes processing the 4 DOF pose of the remote XR headset through the remote XR headset view pose transform.

Some further embodiments are directed to identifying a remote pose of a path gesture performed by a remote operator wearing the remote XR headset150crelative to the remote XR headset reference frame, transforming the remote pose of the path gesture relative to the remote XR headset reference frame to a local pose relative to the local XR headset reference frame, and providing a computer generated indication of the path gesture with the local pose to the local XR headset150a/150bfor display relative to the patient reference array116.FIG.10is a flowchart of corresponding operations that can be performed by a camera tracking system in accordance with some embodiments. Referring toFIG.10the processor of the camera tracking system is further operative to obtain1000remote operator-gesture tracking information from the remote reference tracking camera150cindicating movement of an object816(e.g., tracked stylus, hand, etc.) relative to the remote XR headset reference frame by a remote operator812wearing the remote XR headset150c. The processor determines1002a remote gesture path relative to the remote XR headset reference frame based on processing the remote operator-gesture tracking information through the remote XR headset view pose transform, and transforms1004the remote gesture path to a local gesture path relative to the local XR headset reference frame using the local XR headset view pose transform.

In some further embodiments, the processor provides the local gesture path to the local XR headset150a/150bfor display relative to the local XR headset reference frame.

In another embodiment, while the remote operator812is viewing the transformed 3D computer image displayed by the remote XR headset150c, remote operator moves the object816to indicate a remote gesture path for viewing by the local operator120/126. In one embodiment, the processor is further operative to determine1002the remote gesture path relative to the remote XR headset reference frame based on tracking movement indicated by the remote operator-gesture tracking information of a hand and/or a stylus which is moved by the remote operator812while concurrently viewing the transformed 3D computer image through the remote XR headset150crelative to the hand and/or stylus being moved.

Some further embodiments, the remote operator812can move the hand and/or stylus to form a gesture which is recognized by the camera tracking system is corresponding to various defined operational commands, which can control equipment in the local environment800, e.g., local to the patient reference frame. In one embodiment, the processor is further operative to select an operational command from among a set of operational commands based on the remote gesture path corresponding to defined gesture associated with the operational command, wherein the operational commands in the set are associated with different shaped gesture paths. The processor then provides the operational command to an equipment, e.g., surgical robot102, which is local to the local XR headset.

In a further embodiment, the processor selects the operational command for relocating an end effector112connected to a surgical robot arm104that is movable under control of a surgical robot system100, from among the set of operational commands based on the remote gesture path corresponding to the defined gesture associated with the operational command for relocating the end effector112.FIG.11is a flowchart of operations by camera tracking system for controlling movement of an end effector112of a surgical robot102responsive to a hand/stylus gesture by a remote operator812, in accordance with some embodiments. Referring toFIG.11, the processor determines1100a present pose of the end effector112based on end effector tracking information indicating pose of the end effector112tracked by the patient tracking camera200relative to the patient reference frame. The processor controls1102movement of the end effector112by the surgical robot system100from the present pose to a target pose relative to the patient reference frame based on the operational command for relocating the end effector112.

In a further embodiment, the processor determines a planned end effector trajectory path from the present pose to the target pose based on at least a segment of the remote gesture path. The processor controls movement of the end effector by the surgical robot system to conform to the planned end effector trajectory path from the present pose to the target pose.

The transformed 3D computer image may include a graphical representation of the end effector displayed based on the remote pose relative to the remote XR headset reference frame and include a graphical representation of anatomical structure of the patient displayed based on the remote pose relative to the remote XR headset reference frame. The processor may then be operative to determine a planned end effector112trajectory path from a present graphical pose of the graphical representation of the end effector112to a target graphical pose of the graphical representation of the end effector112based on tracking movement of fingers and/or a hand of the remote operator812wearing the remote XR headset150crelative to the graphical representation of the end effector displayed relative to remote XR headset reference frame, and control movement of the end effector112by the surgical robot system100to conform to the planned end effector trajectory path from the present pose relative to the patient reference frame to the target pose relative to the patient reference frame.

In some further embodiments the processor is operative to select the operational command from among the set of operational commands which control at least one of the following:1) operational settings of a computer assisted surgical navigation system;2) operational settings of a surgical robot system;3) operational settings of medical imaging equipment which is operable to obtain medical images of anatomical structure of the patient;4) operational settings of intraoperative neuromonitoring equipment which is operable to monitor neural structures of the patient;5) operational settings of the local XR headset;6) operational settings of a computer display which is local to the local XR headset;7) operational settings of a microscope which is local to the local XR headset;8) operational settings of an exoscope which is local to the local XR headset;9) operational setting of a lighting apparatus which is operable to illuminate the patient;10) operational settings of a powered adjustable surgical bed which is operable tosupport the patient;11) operational settings of a microscope which is local to the local XR headset;12) operational settings of anesthesia equipment which is operable to supply anesthesia to the patient;13) operational settings of a clock and/or timer which is local to the local XR headset;14) operational settings of communication equipment which is local to the local XR headset; and15) operational settings of sound equipment which is local to the local XR headset.

FIG.12is a flowchart of operations by camera tracking system for transforming graphical and/or textual information which has been entered by a remote operator812located in the remote environment810to a pose which is displayed to a local operator120/126wearing a local XR headset150a/150bin a local environment, in accordance with some embodiments. Referring toFIG.12, the processor is operative to obtain1200graphical and/or textual information entered by the remote operator812and which is displayed by the remote XR headset150cwith a remote information pose relative to the remote XR headset reference frame using the remote XR headset view pose transform. The processor transforms1202the remote information pose of the graphical and/or textual information to a local information pose using the local XR headset view pose transform. The processor provides the graphical and/or textual information to the local XR headset150a/150cfor display with the local information pose relative to the local XR headset reference frame.

Some further embodiments are directed to operations that correlate video frames of what is being viewed through the local XR headset150a/150band viewed through the remote XR headset150cto ensure that the associated operators are viewing time synchronized information. In some further embodiments, the processor is operative to correlate in time individual ones of video frames of a local video stream received from the patient tracking camera200with individual ones of video frames of a remote video stream received from the remote reference tracking camera, e.g., part of remote XR headset150c. The processor controls timing when the individual ones of the video frames of the local video stream are provided to the remote XR headset150cfor display based on the correlation, and controls timing when the individual ones of the video frames of the remote video stream are provided to the local XR headset150a/150bfor display based on the correlation.

Operating Room Equipment Visualizations and Control Using XR Headset(s)

Some other embodiments are now described which are directed to camera tracking systems and associated methods and computer program products that enable XR headsets to be used to visualize and control various types of medical equipments.

Positioning and sterility may require a touch free method for controlling medical equipment which may be within reach of an operator or beyond reach. Some embodiments are directed to operations that enable an operator wearing an XR headset to perform hand gestures which are viewed through the XR headset relative to the equipment to be controlled. The hand gestures are tracked by a tracking camera, which may be part of the XR headset, and are recognized by camera tracking system as a command for controlling the proximately located equipment. Information generated by the equipment, such as patient medical measurements and/or operational data, can be displayed through the XR headset with a pose that is anchored proximately located to the associated equipment. In this manner, an operator wearing the XR headset can intuitively view information from various equipment within an OR and may further control operations of the equipment.

With continued reference toFIG.8, the associated operations can be performed by a tracking camera that provides tracking information to a camera tracking system which is operative to control equipment and provide graphical and/or textual information for display through the XR headset. As explained above, the tracking camera may be part of the XR headset150a/150band/or may be part of an auxiliary camera tracking bar200.

Movement of medical equipment by the camera tracking system may be performed relative to the patient reference array116, so as to enable operator gesture based controlled movement of equipment to operator desired poses of the medical equipment relative to the patient.

FIG.13illustrates an operator controlling movement of an end effector of a surgical robot and/or controlling movement of the surgical robot base using hand gestures which are tracked by a camera tracking system in accordance with some embodiments.

Referring toFIG.13, in one embodiment the camera tracking system enables an operator to use hand gestures to move an end effector of a surgical robot. The camera tracking system tracks and recognizes an initial gesture by the operator who is pointing a hand-palm or finger from node point1301and which the camera tracking system projects along path1302to intercept the end effector (e.g.,112inFIG.3) at a start end effector location node1304. The camera tracking systems further tracks and recognizes movement of the operator's fingers, e.g., opening from a pinch gesture, to extend to node point1303which the camera tracking system projects along path1303to define a target end effector location node1306. The camera tracking system may display a graphical indication of the planned trajectory via the XR headset along which the end effector is planned to be moved from the starting end effector location node1304to the target end effector location node1306. Responsive to the operator indicating acceptance of the planned trajectory, e.g., by pressing and holding-down a foot pedal or by forming another defined hand gesture, the camera tracking system can control motors of the surgical robot (e.g.,100inFIG.3) to move the end effector from the starting end effector location node1304to the target end effector location node1306along the planned trajectory.

With continued reference toFIG.13, in another embodiment the camera tracking system enables an operator to use hand gestures to move location of a surgical robot base, e.g., to position the surgical robot with the desired poses relative to a patient reference frame (e.g.,116inFIG.8). The camera tracking system tracks and recognizes an initial gesture by the operator who is pointing a hand-palm or finger from node point1301and which the camera tracking system projects along path1310to intercept a base (e.g.,106inFIG.3) of the surgical robot (e.g.,100inFIG.3) at a start base location node1314. The camera tracking systems further tracks and recognizes movement of the operator's fingers, e.g., opening from a pinch gesture, to extend to node point1303which the camera tracking system projects along path1312to define a target base location node1316. The camera tracking system may display a graphical indication of the planned trajectory via the XR headset along which the robot base is planned to be moved from the starting base location node1314to the target base location node1316. Responsive to the operator indicating acceptance of the planned trajectory, e.g., by pressing and holding-down a foot pedal or by forming another defined hand gesture, the camera tracking system can control motors connected to wheels of the robot base to move the robot base from the starting base location node1314to the target base location node1316along the planned trajectory.

FIG.14is a flowchart of operations by a camera tracking system for controlling movement of the end effector (e.g.,112inFIG.8) and/or the surgical robot base (e.g.,106inFIG.3) using tracked hand gestures, in accordance with some embodiments.

Referring toFIG.14, the camera tracking system includes at least one processor (“processor”) operative to receive1400equipment reference tracking information indicating poses of medical equipments and a patient reference array tracked by a tracking camera relative to a reference frame. The processor is operative to determine1402an XR headset view pose transform between an XR headset reference frame of an XR headset and the reference frame using the equipment reference tracking information. The processor is operative to obtain1404operator-gesture tracking information from the tracking camera indicating movement of an object relative to the XR headset reference frame by an operator wearing the XR headset. The processor is operative to select an operational command from among a set of operational commands based on the operator-gesture tracking information, and to provide instructions to one of the medical equipments based on the operational command that is selected.

As explained above, the tracking camera may be part of the XR headset, and the reference frame may thereby be the same as the XR headset reference frame.

In a further embodiment, the processor is operative to determine a gesture path relative to the XR headset reference frame based on processing the operator-gesture tracking information through the XR headset view pose transform, and to select the operational command from among the set of operational commands based on identifying that the gesture path corresponds to a defined gesture associated with the operational command, wherein the operational commands in the set are associated with different shaped gesture paths.

In a further embodiment, the processor is operative to select the operational command for relocating an end effector connected to a surgical robot arm that is movable under control of a surgical robot system, from among the set of operational commands based on the gesture path corresponding to the defined gesture associated with the operational command for relocating the end effector. The processor is operative to determine a present pose of the end effector based on end effector tracking information indicating pose of the end effector tracked by the tracking camera relative to the reference frame, and to control movement of the end effector by the surgical robot system from the present pose to a target pose relative to the reference frame based on the operational command for relocating the end effector.

In a further embodiment, the processor is operative to determine a planned end effector trajectory path from the present pose to the target pose based on at least a segment of the gesture path, and to control movement of the end effector by the surgical robot system to conform to the planned end effector trajectory path from the present pose to the target pose.

The processor may be operative to determine the planned end effector trajectory path based on tracking movement of fingers and/or a hand of the operator wearing the XR headset relative to the end effector.

In a further embodiment, the processor is operative to select the operational command for relocating medical imaging equipment in a room under control of a computer system, from among the set of operational commands based on the gesture path corresponding to the defined gesture associated with the operational command for relocating the medical imaging equipment. The processor is operative to determine a present location in the room of the medical imaging equipment relative to the reference frame based on the equipment reference tracking information, and to determine a target location in the room for the medical imaging equipment relative to the reference frame based on at least a segment of the gesture path. The processor is operative to control movement of the medical imaging equipment by the computer system from the present location to the target location based on the operational command for relocating the medical imaging equipment.

In a further embodiment, the processor is operative to select the operational command from among the set of operational commands which control at least one of the following:1) operational settings of a computer assisted surgical navigation system;2) operational settings of a surgical robot system;3) operational settings of medical imaging equipment which is operable to obtain medical images of anatomical structure of a patient;4) operational settings of intraoperative neuromonitoring equipment which is operable to monitor neural structures of a patient;5) operational settings of the XR headset;6) operational settings of a computer display;7) operational settings of a microscope;8) operational settings of an exoscope;9) operational setting of a lighting apparatus which is operable to illuminate a patient;10) operational settings of a powered adjustable surgical bed which is operable to support a patient;11) operational settings of a microscope;12) operational settings of anesthesia equipment which is operable to supply anesthesia to a patient;13) operational settings of a clock and/or timer;14) operational settings of communication equipment; and15) operational settings of sound equipment.

In a further embodiment, the processor is operative to obtain first graphical and/or textual information from a first one of the medical equipments, and second graphical and/or textual information from a second one of the medical equipments. The processor displays the first graphical and/or textual information through the XR headset with a pose in the XR headset reference frame defined to be adjacent to the first one of the medical equipments and display the second graphical and/or textual information through the XR headset with another pose in the XR headset reference frame defined to be adjacent to the second one of the medical equipments.

The equipment information may be displayed through the XR headset with a pose that is anchored relative to the associated equipment. In this manner, the operator may look toward a particular equipment to initiate display of the related information with the defined pose relative to the particular equipment. An operator may use one or more hand gestures to control what types of equipment information is displayed, size of the displayed information, and where the displayed information is posed relative to the equipment. An operator may use various defined types of hand gestures to control corresponding settings of the equipment, such as one or more operational threshold levels used by the equipment.

In some further embodiments, the camera tracking system may scan the room to automatically identify medical equipment which is present within the field of view of the tracking cameras. The camera tracking system may process various video streams from one or more XR headsets150a/150band/or mounted to an auxiliary tracking bar200to identify medical equipment. For example, the camera tracking system may determine a medical equipment type, model number, and/or a unique identifier captured in camera video stream(s) based on identifying a tag or other machine-readable code on the medical equipment and/or based on identifying a tracking array on the medical equipment. Alternatively or additionally, the camera tracking system may identify medical equipment based on matching the shape observed in the camera video stream(s) to a defined geometric shape template for the medical equipment.

The camera tracking system may identify a pose of the medical equipment within the room, and may enable an operator to use a hand gesture to identify a target location for where the medical equipment is to be moved. The camera tracking system may then determine a planned trajectory path for moving the medical equipment from the present pose to the target pose, and may display the plan trajectory path through one of the XR headsets150a/150bfor approval by an operator. The camera tracking system may then control movement of the medical equipment from the present pose to the target pose, such as to position the medical equipment relative to a patient reference array. The human tracking system may also identify in the camera video stream(s) obstacles, such as power lines and/or communication lines extending along the floor, a table, etc., in a path between the present pose and target pose of the medical equipment, and may determine the plan trajectory path to have a shape that avoids such obstacles.

In this manner, the camera tracking system can operate to track world-anchored content in an intuitive manner for viewing by surgeons and other operators during a surgical procedure. A surgical assistant may adjust a surgeon's XR headset parameters from the other side of the bed using hand gestures to interact with a virtual head stabilized interface, and/or may adjust tracking camera operational modes or outputs using hand gestures to interact with a virtual interface displayed adjacent to or overlapping the tracking camera.

FIG.15illustrates a block diagram of a surgical system that includes an XR headset150, a computer platform1500, imaging devices, and a surgical robot102which are configured to operate in accordance with various embodiments.

The imaging devices may include the C-arm imaging device1304, the O-arm imaging device1306, and/or a patient image database1530. The XR headset150provides an improved human interface for performing navigated surgical procedures. The XR headset150can be configured to provide functionalities, e.g., via the computer platform1500, that include without limitation any one or more of: identification of hand gesture based commands, display XR graphical objects on a display device1512. The display device1512may a video projector, flat panel display, etc. The user can view the XR graphical objects as an overlay anchored to particular real-world objects viewed through a see-through display screen. The XR headset150may additionally or alternatively be configured to display on the display device1512video streams from cameras mounted to one or more XR headsets150and other cameras.

Electrical components of the XR headset150can include a plurality of cameras1522, a microphone1520, a gesture sensor1518, a pose sensor (e.g., inertial measurement unit (IMU))1516, the display device1512, and a wireless/wired communication interface1524. The cameras1522of the XR headset150may be visible light capturing cameras, near infrared capturing cameras, or a combination of both.

The cameras1522may be configured to operate as the gesture sensor1518by tracking for identification user hand gestures performed within the field of view of the camera(s)1522. Alternatively the gesture sensor1518may be a proximity sensor and/or a touch sensor that senses hand gestures performed proximately to the gesture sensor1518and/or senses physical contact, e.g. tapping on the sensor1518or an enclosure. The pose sensor1516, e.g., IMU, may include a multi-axis accelerometer, a tilt sensor, and/or another sensor that can sense rotation and/or acceleration of the XR headset150along one or more defined coordinate axes. Some or all of these electrical components may be contained in a head-worn component enclosure or may be contained in another enclosure configured to be worn elsewhere, such as on the hip or shoulder.

As explained above, a surgical system includes a camera tracking system1500which may be part of a computer platform1500that can also provide functionality of a navigation controller1502and/or of the XR headset controller1510. The surgical system may include the imaging devices and/or a surgical robot102. The navigation controller1502can be configured to provide visual navigation guidance to an operator for moving and positioning a surgical tool relative to patient anatomical structure based on a surgical plan, e.g., from a surgical planning function, defining where a surgical procedure is to be performed using the surgical tool on the anatomical structure and based on a pose of the anatomical structure determined by the camera tracking system1500. The navigation controller1502may be further configured to generate steering information based on a target pose for a surgical tool, a pose of the anatomical structure, and a pose of the surgical tool and/or an end effector of the surgical robot102, where the steering information indicates where the surgical tool and/or the end effector of the surgical robot102should be moved to perform the surgical plan.

The electrical components of the XR headset150can be operatively connected to the electrical components of the computer platform1500through a wired/wireless interface1524. The electrical components of the XR headset150may be operatively connected, e.g., through the computer platform1500or directly connected, to various imaging devices, e.g., the C-arm imaging device1304, the I/O-arm imaging device1306, the patient image database1530, and/or to other medical equipment through the wired/wireless interface1524.

The surgical system further includes at least one XR headset controller1510(also referred to as “XR headset controller” for brevity) that may reside in the XR headset150, the computer platform1500, and/or in another system component connected via wired cables and/or wireless communication links. Various functionality is provided by software executed by the XR headset controller1510. The XR headset controller1510is configured to receive information from the computer tracking system1500and the navigation controller1502, and to generate an XR image based on the information for display on the display device1512.

The XR headset controller1510can be configured to operationally process signaling from the cameras1522, the microphone1520, and/or the pose sensor1516, and is connected to display XR images on the display device1512for user viewing. Thus, the XR headset controller1510illustrated as a circuit block within the XR headset150is to be understood as being operationally connected to other illustrated components of the XR headset150but not necessarily residing within a common housing or being otherwise transportable by the user. For example, the XR headset controller1510may reside within the computer platform1500which, in turn, may reside within a housing of the surgical robot102, the tracking cameras200, etc.

Further Definitions and Embodiments

In the above-description of various embodiments of present inventive concepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which present inventive concepts belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense expressly so defined herein.

When an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly coupled”, “directly responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, “coupled”, “connected”, “responsive”, or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another element/operation. Thus, a first element/operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “comprises”, “include”, “including”, “includes”, “have”, “has”, “having”, or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation “e.g.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “exempli gratia,” may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation “i.e.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “id est,” may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as “circuitry,” “a module” or variants thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/or blocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of inventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the following examples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.