Abstract: A method of treating a bone fracture includes taking a first 2D image of an implant and a reference body with an imaging device; creating a 3D orientation of the reference body and the implant based on the 2D image; determining an actual axis of delivery of a bone screw through an opening extending through the implant; determining an optimal axis of delivery of the bone screw through the opening such that the optimal axis of delivery guides the bone screw toward a medically optimal location; and moving the implant such that the optimal axis of delivery and the actual axis of delivery coincide.

Abstract: A computer program element and a device are provided for processing a 2D projection image generated during a procedure of fracture treatment of a bone. The computer program element comprises sets of instructions for detecting the reference body in the 2D projection image, detecting at least one element out of the group consisting of an instrument, an implant and an anatomical structure in the 2D projection image, and identifying a current state of the element, determining a state of progress of the procedure of fracture treatment, and providing information regarding steps to be performed next.

Abstract: A computer assisted surgery device and a method for operating the same which allows a more efficient positioning and application of an implant with respect to a bony structure, wherein the computer-assisted surgery device having a robot arm and a method for operating the same resulting in a shorter operation time and less intensity of x-ray exposure for a patient.

Abstract: A technique of providing user guidance for surgical navigation is provided. A method implementation of the technique includes obtaining a predetermined spatial relationship between an optical tracking pattern and a through-hole extending through an implant, obtaining image data of the optical tracking pattern acquired by an imaging unit attached to a surgical instrument, obtaining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the imaging unit at a point in time when the image data have been acquired, determining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, obtaining a plurality of predefined spatial relationships between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, and triggering simultaneous display of an indication of the plurality of predefined spatial relationships and an indication of the spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole.

Abstract: A technique of providing user guidance for surgical navigation is provided. A method implementation of the technique includes obtaining a predetermined spatial relationship between an optical tracking pattern and a through-hole extending through an implant, obtaining image data of the optical tracking pattern acquired by an imaging unit attached to a surgical instrument, obtaining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the imaging unit at a point in time when the image data have been acquired, determining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, obtaining a plurality of predefined spatial relationships between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, and triggering simultaneous display of an indication of the plurality of predefined spatial relationships and an indication of the spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole.

Abstract: A technique of providing user guidance for surgical navigation is provided. A method implementation of the technique includes obtaining a predetermined spatial relationship between an optical tracking pattern and a through-hole extending through an implant, obtaining image data of the optical tracking pattern acquired by an imaging unit attached to a surgical instrument, obtaining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the imaging unit at a point in time when the image data have been acquired, determining a spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, obtaining a plurality of predefined spatial relationships between the surgical instrument and the through-hole, and triggering simultaneous display of an indication of the plurality of predefined spatial relationships and an indication of the spatial relationship between the surgical instrument and the through-hole.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail is suggested comprising a nail shaft with a lateral recess, with an expansion element being arranged in that recess, and an adjustment screw for adjusting the position and orientation of the expansion element relative to the nail shaft. A threaded bore may be formed in the nail shaft, wherein the threaded bore extends through the nail shaft and into the recess and is adapted to receive the adjustment screw.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided, for measuring an actual length of a fractured bone based on 2D fluoroscopic images of proximal and distal sections of the bone, each of the images including a reference body. Based on the images, a spatial position of a first end point and a spatial position of a second end point are determined, taking into account dimensions taken from a bone model of a bone corresponding to the imaged bone and the spatial positions of the reference bodies. The actual length of the fractured bone is defined as the distance between the two end points.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail is suggested comprising a nail shaft with a lateral recess, with an expansion element being arranged in that recess, and an adjustment screw for adjusting the position and orientation of the expansion element relative to the nail shaft. A threaded bore may be formed in the nail shaft, wherein the threaded bore extends through the nail shaft and into the recess and is adapted to receive the adjustment screw.

Abstract: A computer program element and a device are provided for processing a 2D projection image generated during a procedure of fracture treatment of a bone. The computer program element comprises sets of instructions for detecting the reference body in the 2D projection image, detecting at least one element out of the group consisting of an instrument, an implant and an anatomical structure in the 2D projection image, and identifying a current state of the element, determining a state of progress of the procedure of fracture treatment, and providing information regarding steps to be performed next.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided, for measuring an actual length of a fractured bone based on 2D fluoroscopic images of proximal and distal sections of the bone, each of the images including a reference body. Based on the images, a spatial position of a first end point and a spatial position of a second end point are determined, taking into account dimensions taken from a bone model of a bone corresponding to the imaged bone and the spatial positions of the reference bodies. The actual length of the fractured bone is defined as the distance between the two end points.

Abstract: Three-dimensional image data generated for an object is representative of at least a portion of the object and of reference markings associated with the object. The reference markings have a known spatial relationship with a registration tracker tracked by a navigation system. Registration tracking data/object tracking data, each representative of at least one of a spatial location and a spatial orientation of the registration tracker/object tracker respectively, are provided. The object tracker has a fixed spatial relationship with the object. The relative position between the registration tracker and the object tracker is calculated from the registration tracking data and the object tracking data for a given point in time. Registered image data is generated representative of the location or the orientation of the object, taking into account the spatial relationship between the reference markings and the registration tracker, and the relative position between the registration tracker and the object tracker.

Abstract: A technique of registering image data of an object 112 with at least one of a location and an orientation of the object 112 is provided. A method embodiment of this technique comprises the step of providing three-dimensional image data generated for the object 112, the image data being representative of at least a portion of the object 112 and of reference markings 130 associated with the object 112. The reference markings 130 have a known spatial relationship with a registration tracker 122 adapted to be tracked by a navigation system 100. The method further comprises providing registration tracking data representative of at least one of a spatial location and a spatial orientation of the registration tracker 122 and providing object tracking data representative of at least one of a spatial location and a spatial orientation of an object tracker adapted to be tracked by the navigation system. The object tracker 124 has a fixed spatial relationship with the object 112.