Abstract: A system and method for mixing bone cement. The components forming the cement are contained in a cartridge. A motorized device, such as a surgical handpiece, rotates a blade in the cartridge that mixes the cement. The current drawn by the motor is monitored. The current draw is evaluated to determine the viscosity of the cement. If the current draw indicates that the cement is at the target viscosity, the mixing may be terminated. A low current draw measure may be interpreted as an indication that the cement is of low viscosity and that it may be necessary to continue the mixing process.

Abstract: A rechargable battery with an internal microcontroller. The microcontroller contains a memory in which data regarding the environment to which the battery is exposed are stored. These data are read by a processor integral with the charger used to charge the battery. If these data indicates the battery may have been subjected to a harsh environment, such as being exposed to an excessive temperature, the charger performs a fulle state of health evaluation of the battery.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece that includes a motor for actuating a cutting accessory. The handpiece has a housing with a bore for receiving the cutting accessory and a coupling member internal to the bore that releasably engages and actuates the cutting accessory. A coil is mounted to the housing adjacent the bore. More particularly, the coil is located so that when the cutting accessory is seated in the bore, the coil is able to exchange signals with a complementary coil integral with the cutting accessory. A locking assembly mounted to the housing releasably holds the cutting accessory in the bore.

Abstract: A surgical tool system comprising a control console, a powered surgical device, an intermediate attachment removably connected to the surgical device and a cutting accessory removably connected to the intermediate attachment. Internal to the cutting accessory is an identification device that contains data specific to the operation of the accessory. The control console, through the transfer of signals through the powered surgical device and the intermediate attachment reads the data in the cutting accessory. Based on these data, the control console selectively actuates the powered surgical device. In some versions of the invention, the identification device may be an RFID chip. Signals are exchanged between the surgical device and the intermediate attachment and between the intermediate attachment and cutting accessory by inductive coupling. An identification device internal to the intermediate attachment provides the control console with data describing the intermediate attachment.

Abstract: A tool system for operating an irrigation pump. The pump includes a fixed pump head driven by a pump motor and a removable tube set. A readable memory such as a RFID is integral with the tube set. The tube set memory contains data describing the physical characteristics of the tube set. A control console reads the data in the tube set memory. Based on these data, the control console then regulates the operation of the pump motor so that fluid, when required, is delivered at those flow rates. These data are also used by the control console to regulate priming of the pump so that when the system is initially set up a head of irrigation fluid can be pumped close to the end of the handpiece from which the fluid is to be discharged.

Abstract: A system and method for mixing bone cement. The components forming the cement are contained in a cartridge. A motorized device, such as a surgical handpiece, rotates a blade in the cartridge that mixes the cement. The current drawn by the motor is monitored. The current draw is evaluated to determine the viscosity of the cement. If the current draw indicates that the cement is at the target viscosity, the mixing may be terminated. A low current draw measure may be interpreted as an indication that the cement is of low viscosity and that it may be necessary to continue the mixing process.

Abstract: A rechargable battery with an internal microcontroller. The microcontroller contains a memory in which data regarding the environment to which the battery is exposed are stored. These data are read by a processor integral with the charger used to charge the battery. If these data indicates the battery may have been subjected to a harsh environment, such as being exposed to an excessive temperature, the charger performs a fulle state of health evaluation of the battery.

Abstract: A powered surgical tool with a housing that contains a power generating unit such as a motor. A control module is disposed in a shell that is mounted in the housing. The control module contains a control circuit for regulating the actuation of the power generating unit. The power generating unit emits a signal representative of the operating state of the unit that is transmitted through the structural material forming the shell. Also internal to the control module shell is a sensor that monitors the signal emitted by the power generating unit. This signal output by the sensor is applied to the control circuit. The control circuit, based on the sensor signal regulates actuation of the power generating unit. Wherein the power generating unit is a motor, the signal emitted is the magnetic field that varies with rotor position. The sensor monitors the strength of this field.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece that includes a motor for actuating a cutting accessory. The handpiece has a housing with a bore for receiving the cutting accessory and a coupling member internal to the bore that releasably engages and actuates the cutting accessory. A coil is mounted to the housing adjacent the bore. More particularly, the coil is located so that when the cutting accessory is seated in the bore, the coil is able to exchange signals with a complementary coil integral with the cutting accessory. A locking assembly mounted to the housing releasably holds the cutting accessory in the bore.

Abstract: A surgical tool system including plural powered surgical handpieces. The handpieces are removably connected to a single control console. The control console has a power supply. A controller internal to the control console simultaneously supplies power to the plural handpieces. In the event the handpieces collectively draw more power than the power supply can provide, the control console temporarily stops the application of power to one of the handpieces.

Abstract: A surgical tool system including a handpiece with a motor for driving a cutting accessory. The system includes a control unit for applying energization signals to the windings internal to the handpiece motor. At start-up and low speeds, the rotational position of the rotor relative to the static windings is determined based on inductances of the windings. At high speeds, the rotational position of the winding is determined based on the back electromotive forces developed across the windings.

Abstract: A surgical power tool system including a cordless powered surgical tool, a battery for energizing the tool and a charger for charging the battery. The battery includes a memory. When the battery is attached to the tool, a processor integral with the tool writes data to the memory regarding the operation of the tool. When the battery is attached to the charger, the data are read out the battery memory. These data are then evaluated to determine the operational state of the tool.

Abstract: A hybrid surgical navigation system for tracking the position of body tissue. The system includes a marker shaped to be mounted subcutaneously to the tissue the position of which is to be tracked. A tracker located above skin level is placed near the marker. A first navigation system integral with the marker and tracker generate data indicating the position of the marker relative to the tracker. A second navigation monitors the position of the tracker. The tracker also includes a transmitter for transmitting data generated by the first navigation system. Based on the data generated by the first navigation system representative of the position of the marker relative to the tracker and the data from the second navigation system representative of the position of the tracker, the position of the marker and tissue to which it is attached is determined.

Abstract: A rechargable battery with an internal microcontroller. The microcontroller contains a memory in which data regarding the environment to which the battery is exposed are stored. These data are read by a processor integral with the charger used to charge the battery. If these data indicates the battery may have been subjected to a harsh environment for an excessive period of time, the charger performs a complete state of health evaluation of the battery.

Abstract: A powered surgical tool with a housing that contains a power generating unit such as a motor. A control module is disposed in a shell that is mounted in the housing. The control module contains a control circuit for regulating the actuation of the power generating unit. The power generating unit emits a signal representative of the operating state of the unit that is transmitted through the structural material forming the shell. Also internal to the control module shell is a sensor that monitors the signal emitted by the power generating unit. This signal output by the sensor is applied to the control circuit. The control circuit, based on the sensor signal regulates actuation of the power generating unit. Wherein the power generating unit is a motor, the signal emitted is the magnetic field that varies with rotor position. The sensor monitors the strength of this field.

Abstract: A system for wirelessly providing data regarding surgical implements such as surgical tools, trial and inserts themselves to a surgical navigation unit. Each implement includes an RFID in which data regarding the implement are stored. The tool used to fit the implement has a first coil positioned to exchange signals with a complementary coil integral with the RFID. The tool also has a prism for receiving a navigation tracker. A second tool coil, in the prism, is connected to the first coil. The second tool coil is also connected to an RFID integral with the tool. The tracker, through the tool coils, reads the data in the implement RFID and the tool RFID. A transmitter in the tracker wirelessly forwards the data to the surgical navigation system. The data are used to facilitate reactive workflow guidance of the procedure and monitor the position of the implement.

Abstract: A tool system for both powering a handpiece and operating an irrigation pump. The pump includes a fixed pump head driven by a pump motor and a removable tube set. A readable memory such as RFID is integral with the tube set. The tube set memory contains data describing the physical characteristics of the tube set. A control console reads the data in the tube set memory. Based on these data, data from the handpiece and the characteristics of the motor driving the pump head, the control console determines if the pump, including the tube set can provide irrigation fluid at appropriate flow rates for the handpiece. If the assembled pump, specifically the pump head and tube set, can provide fluid at the appropriate flow rates, the control console then regulates the operation of the pump motor so that fluid, when required, is delivered at those flow rates.

Abstract: A surgical tool system including plural powered surgical handpieces. The handpieces are removably connected to a single control console. The control console has a power supply. A controller internal to the control console simultaneously supplies power to the plural handpieces. In the event the handpieces collectively draw more power than the power supply can provide, the control console temporarily stops the application of power to one of the handpieces.

Abstract: A surgical tool system comprising a control console, a powered surgical device, an intermediate attachment removably connected to the surgical device and a cutting accessory removably connected to the intermediate attachment. Internal to the cutting accessory is an identification device that contains data specific to the operation of the accessory. The control console, through the transfer of signals through the powered surgical device and the intermediate attachment reads the data in the cutting accessory. Based on these data, the control console selectively actuates the powered surgical device. In some versions of the invention, the identification device may be an RFID chip. Signals are exchanged between the surgical device and the intermediate attachment and between the intermediate attachment and cutting accessory by inductive coupling. An identification device internal to the intermediate attachment provides the control console with data describing the intermediate attachment.

Abstract: A surgical tool system with a handpiece that has an internal power generating unit used to actuate an accessory attached to the handpiece. Power to actuate the handpiece comes from a control console. Internal to the accessory there is an identification chip that describes the operating and/or physical characteristics of the accessory. Complementary coils in the handpiece and accessory facilitate the reading by inductive coupling of the data in the accessory. The data in the accessory are inductively read by the control console through the handpiece. Based on the read data, the control console actuates the handpiece in an appropriate manner for the attached accessory. The accessory data and data inductively read from an implant the accessory is used to set are supplied to a surgical navigation unit. The surgical navigation unit, based on these data, tracks and indicates the position of the implant as it fitted in the patient.