Attachment device for attaching a rigid body to an arbitrary medical instrument

Abstract

The invention relates to an attachment adapter for attaching additional functions to a surgical tool. The attachment adapter provides a joint or a coupling between two instruments, e.g. a surgical tool and a navigation marker. The attachment adapter comprises an attachment body for attaching a surgical tool to the attachment adapter and a mounting seat with a mechanical coupling for fastening an add-on device to the attachment adapter. The attachment body comprises an elongate part adapted to receive the winding of a line and provided with at least two legs adapted to fit in an astride position on an elongate part of a surgical tool. It also comprises a line securing means adapted for securing a line, wound around the attachment body to join the attachment adapter to the surgical tool, in a locking position.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of using an attachment adapter including an attachment body and a mounting seat with a mechanical coupling, wherein the attachment body includes an elongate part, at least two legs, and a line securing member, the method comprising the steps of:
 mounting a navigation guidance system to the mounting seat using the mechanical coupling;   attaching a surgical tool to the attachment body comprising the steps of:
 placing the at least two legs astride an elongate part of the surgical tool such that the elongate part of the attachment body is aligned with the elongate part of the surgical tool; 
 winding a line around the elongate part of the attachment body and the elongate part of the surgical tool; and 
 placing one end of the line into the line securing member in a locking position.