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: An orthopedic guidewire includes an elongate guidewire body having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends. An engaging feature is located at the distal guidewire end and is configured to selectively engage a bone surface. At least one of a variable diameter and a variable stiffness are along a portion of the guidewire body spaced apart from the engaging feature. A method of providing a relative location indication during a surgical procedure utilizing the orthopedic guidewire is also included.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers predetermined spatial positioning information to an adjustable tool. Means are provided for temporarily holding at least a carrier portion of the adjustable tool stationary relative to a manipulable reference surface. Means are provided for imparting predetermined spatial positioning information to the reference surface in a first degree of freedom. Means are provided for imparting predetermined spatial positioning information to the reference surface in a second degree of freedom. The predetermined spatial positioning information is imparted to the reference surface in the first and second degrees of freedom to generate a pre-set reference surface. At least a portion of the adjustable tool is held stationary relative to the pre-set reference surface. At least a functional portion of the adjustable tool is manipulated into a predetermined setting position relative to the reference surface. The predetermined setting position reflects a position of the pre-set reference surface.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for guiding resection of a patient tissue and guiding placement of a prosthetic implant component in a desired implant position with respect to the resected patient tissue and method of use are described. A locating block includes a mating surface contoured for mating contact with the patient tissue. A cutting plane indicator provides a physical indication of a desired cutting plane for the resection. A placement indicator is spaced apart from the locating block and includes a component-contacting feature. An elongate spacing arm is operative to space the placement indicator apart from the locating block. The spacing arm is configured to place the component-contacting feature of the placement indicator at a predetermined placement position in three-dimensional space relative to the patient tissue. The placement position predetermination is at least partially based upon pre-operative imaging of the patient tissue.

Abstract: An orthopedic guidewire includes an elongate guidewire body having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends. An engaging feature is located at the distal guidewire end and is configured to selectively engage a bone surface. At least one of a variable diameter and a variable stiffness are along a portion of the guidewire body spaced apart from the engaging feature. A method of providing a relative location indication during a surgical procedure utilizing the orthopedic guidewire is also included.

Abstract: A buttress plate for retaining an acetabular cup implanted in an acetabulum is provided. The buttress plate includes a base having a first end and a second end. The first end extends along a plane and includes at least one passage for receiving a fastener to secure the base to the acetabulum. The second end includes a lip extending transverse to the plane for securing the acetabular cup within the acetabulum.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting clinical parameters. A model of a plurality of models having a sufficient accuracy, given a received set of predictors, is selected. A value for a clinical parameter is predicted from the selected model and the set of predictors to provide a predicted value. A value for the clinical parameter is measured, and the model is updated according to the set of predictors and the measured value.

Abstract: A method of producing a patient-specific three-dimensional model of a native tissue. A virtual replica of at least a portion of a native tissue is produced. A three-dimensional unitary replica of the portion of the native tissue is produced as a tangible representation of the virtual replica. The three-dimensional unitary replica includes at least one location of interest. The three-dimensional unitary replica includes a first area and a second area of the portion of the native tissue. The first area density has a first area density greater than a second area density of the second area.

Abstract: A device for positioning a patient on a surgical table for a surgical procedure includes a main body with a footprint-receiving portion configured to accept and permanently maintain a footprint of at least a portion of a contact tissue of a patient's body. The footprint imposes a desired position of the contact tissue for the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for guiding resection of a patient tissue and guiding placement of a prosthetic implant component in a desired implant position with respect to the resected patient tissue and method of use are described. A locating block includes a mating surface contoured for mating contact with the patient tissue. A cutting plane indicator provides a physical indication of a desired cutting plane for the resection. A placement indicator is spaced apart from the locating block and includes a component-contacting feature. An elongate spacing arm is operative to space the placement indicator apart from the locating block. The spacing arm is configured to place the component-contacting feature of the placement indicator at a predetermined placement position in three-dimensional space relative to the patient tissue. The placement position predetermination is at least partially based upon pre-operative imaging of the patient tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding visualization of a prosthetic implant and concurrently landmarking a patient tissue includes a center post having proximal and distal post ends longitudinally separated by a post body. The post body defines a post axis coaxially therewith. An implant emulator embodies a reference feature of a prosthetic implant. The implant emulator is carried on an outer surface of the center post at a predetermined longitudinal spacing from the distal post end. A guiding device is removably attached to the implant emulator. The guiding device includes an attachment structure attached to the implant emulator. A spacing arm is connected to the attachment structure and extends laterally outward from the post axis. A landmark guiding structure is connected to the spacing arm, spaced apart from the center post, and embodies at least one of a location and a trajectory for placement of a landmark.

Abstract: A distance indicator for indicating the distance that a device has traveled includes an elongate housing with a guidewire connector configured for operative connection to a guidewire to hold the housing stationary with respect thereto. A plunger is operatively connected to the housing for longitudinal motion with respect to the housing. A first plunger end is configured to operatively contact the device. As the guidewire connector is holding the housing stationary with respect to the guidewire, the first plunger end is placed into operative contact with the device with the plunger and housing in a first relative plunger/housing position. The device moves longitudinally. The plunger moves into a second relative plunger/housing position assisted by the operative connection between the first plunger end and the device. The longitudinal difference between the first and second relative plunger/housing positions indicates a distance that the device has moved longitudinally with respect to the guidewire.

Abstract: A patient-specific instrument is placed into a predetermined setting position with respect to a patient tissue. A navigation aid is associated in a predetermined origin position with respect to the patient tissue. The navigation aid is zeroed while in the predetermined origin position to record the location and orientation of the navigation aid relative to the patient tissue. An instantaneous position of the zeroed navigation aid is determined with respect to the patient tissue. Feedback is provided to a user on a physical motion needed to bring the instantaneous position of the navigation aid closer to a predetermined desired target position. An indication is made when the instantaneous position of the navigation aid is sufficiently similar to the predetermined desired target position.

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 infection treatment system includes a first intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal and including a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A second intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal includes a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A coupler is operatively attached to the rods. The coupler has a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face. At least one of the faces includes at least one opening in fluid communication with at least a portion of the channels of the first and second rods.

Abstract: A deployable infection treatment system includes a cannula device comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a flared distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen has a longitudinal x-axis extending therethrough. A sponge or drain is provided, the sponge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein in a non-deployed configuration, the sponge is compressed within the cannula body's lumen and in a deployed configuration the distal end of the sponge expands out of the cannula body's lumen. An integrated pump and vacuum device is provided, wherein when the sponge is in a deployed configuration, the device is in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The pump controls the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the proximal end of the sponge. The vacuum controls the extraction of the therapeutic fluid and infectious material from the proximal end of the sponge.

Abstract: An orthopaedic fixation apparatus includes a first retainer section and a second retainer section. The second retainer section is separable from the first retainer section. A first fastener is insertable into a first opening and a second fastener insertable into a second opening. A retention member is engageable with the first fastener and with the second fastener. The retention member is elongated and flexible. The retention member contacts and extends at least partially around a head portion of the first fastener and extends to a head portion of the second fastener, and also contacts and extends at least partially around a head portion of the second fastener.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for graphical-based management and documentation of longitudinal care episodes. As one example, a system to manage a longitudinal care episode for a patient can include a patient data aggregator, executable by a processor, to provide context data for the patient, at least a portion of the context data including patient data associated with multiple phases of the longitudinal care episode. A tool manager can translate user interactions with an associated graphical user interface (GUI) into corresponding discrete concepts. The corresponding discrete concepts can be stored in memory as part of longitudinal episode data for the patient, the longitudinal episode data being generated based on the context data and in response to user interactions with the GUI to facilitate documentation and management of the longitudinal care episode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coordinated control of lights and devices in an operating room. An operating room is equipped with a plurality of devices, each capable of generating light. A set of rules are provided defining the manner in which the plurality of devices are to be controlled in a cooperative, coordinated manner in accordance with the state of the operating room. The state of the operating room is detected, as such state changes from time to time during the course of a medical procedure being performed in the operating room. The plurality of devices are controlled in accordance with the detected state, as it changes from time to time, and the set of rules. The plurality of devices are thus controlled in a cooperative, coordinated manner in accordance with the changing state of the operating room.