Abstract: A guide for placing a landmark(s) in a patient tissue comprises a central portion defining at least one guiding bore configured to receive and guide a tool for placing the at least one landmark in the patient tissue. Extended portions project away from the central portion, each of the extended portions having respective lower base surfaces contoured to mate with the patient tissue, at least the respective lower base surfaces being customized as a function of preoperative imaging of the patient tissue, whereby the guide is specific to the patient.

Abstract: A method of preoperative planning comprises creating a virtual model of a native patient tissue; placing a virtual device into a desired device orientation relative to the virtual model of the native patient tissue; specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue to facilitate placement of the virtual device in the desired device orientation; creating a virtual model of an altered patient tissue responsive to the specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue; and fabricating a tangible representation of a bone using the virtual model of the altered patient tissue.

Abstract: A patient tissue includes a primary patient tissue area and an anatomically differentiated bordering secondary patient tissue area. An apparatus is at least partially customized responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. Means are provided for mating with the primary patient tissue area in a preselected relative orientation. Means are provided for fixing a first landmark to the primary patient tissue area in at least one of a predetermined marking location and a predetermined marking trajectory. Means are provided for fixing a second landmark to the secondary patient tissue area in at least one of a predetermined marking location and a predetermined marking trajectory. A method of associating a plurality of landmarks with a patient tissue is also provided.

Abstract: A guide for placing a landmark(s) in a patient tissue comprises a central portion defining at least one guiding bore configured to receive and guide a tool for placing the at least one landmark in the patient tissue. Extended portions project away from the central portion, each of the extended portions having respective lower base surfaces contoured to mate with the patient tissue, at least the respective lower base surfaces being customized as a function of preoperative imaging of the patient tissue, whereby the guide is specific to the patient.

Abstract: A method of preoperative planning comprises creating a virtual model of a native patient tissue; placing a virtual device into a desired device orientation relative to the virtual model of the native patient tissue; specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue to facilitate placement of the virtual device in the desired device orientation; creating a virtual model of an altered patient tissue responsive to the specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue; and fabricating a tangible representation of a bone using the virtual model of the altered patient tissue.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure can include a thermoresponsive nanocomposite for disrupting or preventing biofilm formation. The nanocomposite can include at least one polymer, one or more D-amino acids, and one or more energy-actuatable particles. The nanocomposite can have a first viscosity at about room temperature and, when exposed to about physiological temperature, obtains a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity. Application of energy to the nanocomposite from an energy source can excite the one or more energy-actuatable particles to cause localized heat release from the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method of preoperative planning comprises creating a virtual model of a native patient tissue; placing a virtual device into a desired device orientation relative to the virtual model of the native patient tissue; specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue to facilitate placement of the virtual device in the desired device orientation; creating a virtual model of an altered patient tissue responsive to the specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue; and fabricating a tangible representation of a bone using the virtual model of the altered patient tissue.

Abstract: A guide for placing a landmark(s) in a patient tissue comprises a central portion defining at least one guiding bore configured to receive and guide a tool for placing the at least one landmark in the patient tissue. Extended portions project away from the central portion, each of the extended portions having respective lower base surfaces contoured to mate with the patient tissue, at least the respective lower base surfaces being customized as a function of preoperative imaging of the patient tissue, whereby the guide is specific to the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for model-based surgical planning. A surgical planning system can include a prescreening tool configured to provide an initial classification of a set of patients according to a pelvic tilt, measured as a position of a pelvis of the patient relative to the position of a spine of the patient, in a plurality of body positions. A model constructor is configured to construct a model of a pelvis of the patient according to the initial classification of the patient. A finite element modeling component is configured to simulate relative motion of the model of the pelvis and a model of an implant. A patient classifier is configured to select at least one of a position of the implant and an orientation of the implant for the patient according to the simulated relative motion.

Abstract: A stock instrument includes at least one guide interacting feature. A lower instrument surface of the stock instrument is placed into contact with the patient tissue. A guide has a lower guide surface contoured to substantially mate with at least a portion of an upper instrument surface of the stock instrument. A predetermined instrument orientation upon the patient tissue is defined, which is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. The guide and instrument are mated in a predetermined relative guide/instrument orientation wherein at least one guide interacting feature of the instrument is placed into engagement with at least one instrument guiding feature of the guide. The guide is moved into a predetermined guide orientation with respect to the patient tissue and concurrently the instrument is moved into a predetermined instrument orientation with respect to the patient tissue.

Abstract: A method for aligning a manipulable sensor assembly includes determination of a replica surface, which represents a field of view of a manipulable sensor assembly associated with an object when the object is located in a desired position and oriented at a desired orientation. Electromagnetic radiation and/or sound reflected from a surface of the region of interest is detected to provide a surface map of the region of interest, which is compared to the replica surface to determine a rotation and/or a translation for the manipulable sensor assembly to bring the surface map into alignment with the replica surface. The position and/or the orientation of the object are altered. The detection of reflected electromagnetic radiation or sound, comparison of the surfaces, and alteration of the position and orientation of the object are repeated until the surface map is in alignment with the replica surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a reference indication to a patient tissue includes a primary locating block having a patient-specific primary mating surface contoured for mating contact with a portion of the patient tissue in a predetermined primary mating orientation custom-configured responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. At least one mounting feature is provided to the primary locating block. At least one secondary item is configured for selective engagement with the primary locating block. The secondary item is at least one of a noncustomized secondary item and a patient-specific secondary item. The secondary item provides a reference indication to at least a portion of the patient tissue. The mounting feature of the primary locating block is configured for engagement with at least one secondary item in a predetermined secondary mounting relationship. The secondary mounting relationship is custom-configured for the patient tissue responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue.

Abstract: A guide for assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue includes a lower guide surface configured to contact an upper implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant when a lower implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant contacts the patient tissue. An upper guide surface is accessible to a user when the lower guide surface is in contact with the upper implant surface. At least one guiding aperture extends through the guide body between the upper and lower guide surfaces at a predetermined aperture location with respect to the guide body and defines a predetermined target trajectory through the guide body. At least one of the target trajectory and the aperture location of each guiding aperture is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. A method of assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue is also provided.

Abstract: A guide for placing a landmark(s) in a patient tissue comprises a central portion defining at least one guiding bore configured to receive and guide a tool for placing the at least one landmark in the patient tissue. Extended portions project away from the central portion, each of the extended portions having respective lower base surfaces contoured to mate with the patient tissue, at least the respective lower base surfaces being customized as a function of preoperative imaging of the patient tissue, whereby the guide is specific to the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for model-based surgical planning. A surgical planning system can include a prescreening tool configured to provide an initial classification of a set of patients according to a pelvic tilt, measured as a position of a pelvis of the patient relative to the position of a spine of the patient, in a plurality of body positions. A model constructor is configured to construct a model of a pelvis of the patient according to the initial classification of the patient. A finite element modeling component is configured to simulate relative motion of the model of the pelvis and a model of an implant. A patient classifier is configured to select at least one of a position of the implant and an orientation of the implant for the patient according to the simulated relative motion.

Abstract: A guide for assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue includes a lower guide surface configured to contact an upper implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant when a lower implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant contacts the patient tissue. An upper guide surface is accessible to a user when the lower guide surface is in contact with the upper implant surface. At least one guiding aperture extends through the guide body between the upper and lower guide surfaces at a predetermined aperture location with respect to the guide body and defines a predetermined target trajectory through the guide body. At least one of the target trajectory and the aperture location of each guiding aperture is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. A method of assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue is also provided.

Abstract: A guide for placing a landmark(s) in a patient tissue comprises a central portion defining at least one guiding bore configured to receive and guide a tool for placing the at least one landmark in the patient tissue. Extended portions project away from the central portion, each of the extended portions having respective lower base surfaces contoured to mate with the patient tissue, at least the respective lower base surfaces being customized as a function of preoperative imaging of the patient tissue, whereby the guide is specific to the patient.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan includes generating a physical native tissue model of a native patient tissue. The physical native tissue model includes at least one primary patient tissue area including a surface of interest, at least one secondary patient tissue area including no surfaces of interest, and a base surface for engaging a supporting structure. The physical native tissue model, as generated, includes at least one information feature providing clinically useful information to the user. The information feature is substantially separated from the surface of interest. An apparatus for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan is also provided.

Abstract: A guide for assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue includes a lower guide surface configured to contact an upper implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant when a lower implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant contacts the patient tissue. An upper guide surface is accessible to a user when the lower guide surface is in contact with the upper implant surface. At least one guiding aperture extends through the guide body between the upper and lower guide surfaces at a predetermined aperture location with respect to the guide body and defines a predetermined target trajectory through the guide body. At least one of the target trajectory and the aperture location of each guiding aperture is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. A method of assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preoperative planning comprises creating a virtual model of a native patient tissue; placing a virtual device into a desired device orientation relative to the virtual model of the native patient tissue; specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue to facilitate placement of the virtual device in the desired device orientation; creating a virtual model of an altered patient tissue responsive to the specifying at least one structural change to the native patient tissue; and fabricating a tangible representation of a bone using the virtual model of the altered patient tissue.