Abstract: Reference device (1) for real-time tracking of bone and/or surgical objects in computer-assisted surgery, the device (1) comprising: A) an upper member (2) having at least one circular cylindrical hole (3) penetrating through the upper member (2) from the upper surface (5) to the lower surface (6), wherein the hole (3) defines a circular cylindrical reference element (15) having a diameter d and a height h, the ratio between the diameter d and the height h of the reference element (15) is minimum ?, and B) a lower member (4) configured to cover the lower orifices (8) of the holes (3); and wherein C) the upper member (2) is configured as a plate shaped body.

Abstract: An assembly for correcting unbalanced growth plate activity including: (a) an implant formed of wire having (i) a longitudinal central section (2), (ii) a first end (3) configured as a first loop (4) in a form of a first helical coil (9) having a central axis (5) that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the central section, and (iii) a second end (6) configured as a second loop (7) having a central axis (8) that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the central section; (b) a first bone screw having a shaft section that is insertable through the first loop; and (c) a second bone screw having a shaft section that is insertable through the second loop. A kit for correcting unbalanced growth plate activity and to a method for correcting unbalanced growth plate activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Kit for assembling an implantable medical device (30) provided with a data acquisition device (1), the kit comprising: a medical implant (100); a data acquisition device (1) which includes: one or more sensors (5); an electronic data processing device (2) electrically connectable or connected to the one or more sensors (5); a data memory (16); a data transmission device (4); and a biocompatible sterilisable housing (9) encapsulating at least the data processing device (2), the data memory (16) and the data transmission device (4); wherein the housing (9) comprises means (10) for releasably affixing the housing (9) to the implant (100), the data processing device (2) is programmed to calculate statistical data based on measurement data received from the one or more sensors (5) and to store the statistical data in the data memory (16); and wherein the one or more sensors (5) are either arranged in the housing (9); or the one or more sensors (5) are separately fixable to the implant (100) in a selected position.

Abstract: The bone plate (1) has a lower surface (2), an upper surface (3), a thickness T measured between the lower and upper surfaces (2;3), a longitudinal axis (4) and a plurality of plate holes (5) running from the lower surface (2) to the upper surface (3). The bone plate (1) further has a slot (6) extending from the lower surface (2) towards the upper surface (3) and having a width W measured at the lower surface (2) and parallel to the longitudinal axis (4). The slot (6) extends to a maximum distance D measured from the lower surface (2) towards the upper surface (3) of 0.4-0.9 times the thickness T of the bone plate (1). The slot (6) has a width measured parallel to the longitudinal axis (4) which at its maximum extension E is at least 0.8 mm, preferably of at least 3 mm. The slot (6) allows the plate (1) to bend longitudinally—additionally to the intrinsic bendability of the unslotted plate (1)—at most to the amount of 20°, preferably at most to the amount of 10°.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an auxiliary device suitable for the manufacture of a patient customized implant comprising the steps of: 1) obtaining 3D image data, preferably a CT of a defect site of a patient's anatomy (1); 2) generating a computer model of the defect site based on the 3D image data and 3D generic reference data by using image processing techniques; 3) virtually reconstructing the defect site; 4) generating a computer template (30) which represents an auxiliary device (40) that is suitable for sizing, shaping and positioning of alloplastic implants; and 5) manufacturing an auxiliary device (40) using 3D printing. Furthermore, there is provided a method for manufacturing a patient customized implant using the auxiliary device and a method for the reconstruction of a particular anatomy by using the manufactured patient customized implant.

Abstract: A device (1) for processing and transmitting measured signals which correspond to implant parameters or biological parameters for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes including: a biocompatible sterilizable covering (9); an electronic signal processing device (2) electrically connectable to at least one sensor (5) for processing measured signals received from the at least one sensor; a data memory (16) electrically connected to said signal processing device for storing data received from said signal processing device; and a data transmission device (4) electrically connected to said data memory for transmitting data received from said data memory to a remote data receiving device (6) which is connectable to an external data processing device (8). The signal processing device calculates statistically relevant data obtained from the measured signals, reducing the volume of stored data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device (1) for processing and transmitting measured signals which correspond to implant parameters or biological parameters for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes comprising: A) a biocompatible sterilizable covering (9); B) an electronic signal processing device (2) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connectable to at least one sensor (5) allowing to process measured signals received from said at least one sensor (5); C) a data memory (16) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connected to said signal processing device (2) allowing to store data received from said signal processing device (2); and D) a data transmission device (4) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connected to said data memory (16) for transmitting data received from said data memory (16) to a remote data receiving device (6) which is connectable to an external data processing device (8), wherein E) said signal processing device (2) is pro

Abstract: A method for designing and/or optimizing an implant that has one or more through holes with a central axis for receiving a bone fixation element. The method includes: providing a general collection of three-dimensional bone quality data obtained from a patient population; identifying in the patient population N>2 categories of patients with significantly different N>2 homologous sub-collections of bone quality data; and designing an implant or optimizing an existing implant for each of the N>2 sub-collections such that the at least one through hole is located at an optimal place and with an optimal direction of the central axis relative to the implant. The optimal position and direction is chosen based on each of the N>2 sub-collections of data so as to obtain an optimal anchorage of the bone fixation element in the bone when introduced through the through hole.

Abstract: Surgical instrument (1) comprising a longitudinal shaft (2) with a tip portion (3), a rear portion (4) and a longitudinal axis (5) and rotatable in the clock-wise and in the counter-clockwise direction around the longitudinal axis (5), said surgical instrument (1) further comprising: A) first means (6) for drilling a hole in a bone by rotation of the shaft (2) in one of the two directions; B) second means (7) for crushing bone tissue when the shaft (2) rotates in the other of the two directions; and C) a torque sensor (10) coupled to the shaft (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a sleeve for a transfixation device for an external skeletal fixator having a longitudinal axis, a right portion, a left portion, an outer wall, an interior wall and a lumen. The sleeve is implantable across the opposed cortices of a long bone. The lumen is adapted to receive a pin that is connectable to an external supporting structure of the external skeletal fixator. The lumen includes at least one contraction in the right portion and at least one contraction in the left portion. The at least two contractions serve as supports for the pin for avoiding contact between the pin and the interior wall, except at the contractions. Also disclosed is a transfixation device for an external skeletal fixator including a sleeve such as described and one or more pins.

Abstract: A biocompatible implant for bone repair comprising a flexible membrane fitted around a bone defect and a platelet-rich plasma gel composition contained within the void space created by the membrane, its application and kit of parts thereof are described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for generating a 3D imaging data set of an object or of at least two elements, including: obtaining a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in a first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position, moving at least one of the elements and/or deforming the object to have a second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position, different from the first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position; obtaining a 2D data set of the object or the at least two elements while in the second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position; and calculating a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in the second shape, absolute, or relative position using said 2D image data set and said 3D image data set. The method also may be performed by obtaining the 2D image data set in the first position and obtaining the 3D image data set in the second position.

Abstract: A bone fixation device (1) for internal fixation of bone fragments with a longitudinal axis (2) and comprising: A) a first and a second plate (3, 4) each having a lower surface (5), an upper surface (6), two lateral surfaces (22, 23), a front surface (7) axially intermediate between said first and second plate (3, 4), an axially terminal surface (8) and at least one screw hole (17) extending from said upper surface (6) to said lower surface (5) and intended to receive a bone screw; B) a first and a second guide rail (13, 14) arranged parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis (2) and uniaxially slideably connecting said first and second plate (3, 4); and C) at least one resilient member (15, 16) arranged between said first and second plate (3, 4) acting as a compression spring.

Abstract: A cannula (1) comprising A) a central axis (2), a front end (3), a rear end (4) and a channel (5) coaxial or parallel to said central axis (2) and defining a peripheral wall (12) of said cannula (1); B) referencing means (15) at said rear end (4), so that said cannula (1) can be brought in a desired position relative to a cavity (120) in a bone; wherein C) said cannula (1) further comprises at least two perforations (8) penetrating said peripheral wall (12) transversely to said central axis (2); and D) said at least two perforations (8) are arranged in a portion (16) of said peripheral wall (12) which extends over an arc (18) orthogonal to said central axis (2) with a central angle ?<270°.

Abstract: A method for computer assisted localization of the distal locking holes (11; 14) of an implanted intramedullary nail (2) having a nail axis (19) and a first and second distal locking hole (11; 14) by A) acquiring one single image IM of the distal end section (25) of said intramedullary nail by means of an X-ray device (9) whose optical axis (30) is oriented essentially perpendicular to the nail axis (19) but irrespective to the orientation of the distal locking holes (11; 14); and B) calculating the position of the first and second hole axis (23; 20) of the first and second distal locking hole (11; 14) with respect to a three-dimensional coordinate system A-COS (7) of the implanted intramedullary nail (2).

Abstract: A method and a device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails comprising the steps of: A) establishing a virtual geometric representation of an intramedullary nail (1); B) acquiring a first medical image (28) using a radioscopic unit (25) with its focal line (23) adjusted at an angle between 0° and 30° to the axis (8,9) of the at least one distal locking hole (3,4); C) acquiring a second medical image using a radioscopic unit (25) with its focal line (23) adjusted at an angle between 60° and 90° to the axis (8,9); D) computing the position of the longitudinal axis (2) of the distal part (5) of the intramedullary nail (1) using said first and second medical image and said virtual geometric representation by means of a computer (40); E) computing the position of the axis (8,9) of the at least one distal locking hole (3,4) using said first and second medical image (28,29); F) transferring information related to the positions of the distal part (5) and the at least one distal locking hole (3,

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional model of a structure based on at least one two-dimensional image of the structure includes obtaining a general three-dimensional model of the structure; determining at least one image feature from the at least one two-dimensional image; determining an orientation of the general three-dimensional model of the structure relative to the at least one two-dimensional image of the structure so that at least one image feature of a two-dimensional projection of the three-dimensional model match or at least approximate the at least one two-dimensional image feature; and after determining the orientation of the general three-dimensional model, morphing a form or shape of the general three-dimensional model to fit the at least one two-dimensional image.

Abstract: Method and device for determining the local mechanical resistance inside of a porous body having a variable density and/or porosity, in particular inside of a porous bone structure comprising the following steps: selecting a site of said porous body destined to receive a fixation element, in particular a screw or a bone implant; drilling a hole into said porous body; and measuring a mechanical parameter of the porous structure surrounding said drilled hole by inserting a suitable tool (1) into said drill hole.

Abstract: Determining impingement between first and second bodies by determining a spatial relationship between surface points of the first body and markers of a first reference element; determining a spatial relationship between surface points of the second body and markers of a second reference element; displacing the first and second bodies relative to the other body; determining 3D coordinates of the respective pluralities of markers; and using at least (1) the 3D coordinates of the respective pluralities of markers of the reference elements, (2) the determined relationship between surface points of the first body and markers of the first reference elements, and (3) the determined relationship between surface points of the second body and markers of the second reference elements, to determine whether a surface point of one of the first and second bodies coincides with a surface point of the other body.

Abstract: A device (1) for calibrating geometrical measurements of surgical tools (10) as well as for orienting the same in space, including: A) a docking station (2) having two jaws (3) and a surface (21); and B) at least three marking indicators (9) firmly attached to the docking station (2) and capable of being measured, in reference to their position in space, electromagnetically or acoustically through a position detecting device (14), where C) the jaws (3) each have a lateral wall (40) so that the surface (21) and the lateral walls (21) of the two jaws (3) enclose a U-shaped passage (18), where D) the two jaws are conformed in a cylindrical or double conical manner; and E) the two lateral walls (40) or the surface (21) present a form comprising at least two additional contact points for a surgical tool (10) inserted between the jaws (3) across its longitudinal axis (11).