Abstract: Systems and methods for ligament balancing during robotic surgery. One or more transducers are positioned within a knee joint to detect forces indicative of tension in ligaments and to provide output based on the detected forces. A distraction device is used to provide a distraction force to cause movement of a distal end portion of a femur relative to a proximal end portion of a tibia to increase tension in the ligaments. Information associated with output from the transducers is displayed for viewing.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a bone in surgery using an imaging system, a navigation system having a locating device, and a robotic system having a cutting tool. A cannula is guided into an incision to expand the incision and provide access to the bone so that the cutting tool is insertable through the cannula to remove material from the bone. An implant is insertable through the cannula to be placed in the bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing surgery on a bone using a navigation subsystem having a locating device and a robotic subsystem having a cutting tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ligament balancing during robotic surgery. One or more transducers are positioned within a knee joint to detect forces indicative of tension in ligaments and to provide output based on the detected forces. A distraction device is used to provide a distraction force to cause movement of a distal end portion of a femur relative to a proximal end portion of a tibia to increase tension in the ligaments. Information associated with output from the transducers is displayed for viewing.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a bone in surgery using an imaging system, a navigation system having a locating device, and a robotic system having a cutting tool. A cannula is guided into an incision to expand the incision and provide access to the bone so that the cutting tool is insertable through the cannula to remove material from the bone. An implant is insertable through the cannula to be placed in the bone.

Abstract: A method for placing an implant on a patient in a robotic surgical procedure using a robotic system. During the robotic surgical procedure, a navigation system tracks the patient. The navigation system also provides information to the robotic system to guide movement of a cutting tool to remove material from the patient such that a cut surface is created to receive the implant. The implant is then robotically placed on the cut surface.

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure on a patient using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a cutting tool. The navigation system has at least one locating device to track a portion of the patient during the surgical procedure. The navigation system provides information as to a position of the portion of the patient. An optical cutting guide is projected onto the portion of the patient to enable cutting of the portion of the patient with the cutting tool of the robotic system while the optical cutting guide is projected onto the portion of the patient.

Abstract: An improved method of performing total knee arthroplasty. The method including making an incision having a length of less than eleven (11) centimeters proximate a knee joint of a leg of a patient. Performing all of the following through the incision: moving a femoral cutting guide through the incision; positioning the femoral cutting guide against a femur of the leg; cutting a medial condyle, a lateral condyle, and a trochlear groove of the femur of the leg to create at least one femoral cut surface; moving a unitary femoral component of a knee implant through the incision to replace articulating surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles and the trochlear groove; and positioning the unitary femoral component with respect to the at least one femoral cut surface.

Abstract: A computer navigation system may be used with the robot to guide movement of a cutting tool. A robot may perform cutting and/or implant placement operations on a portion of a patient. A robot may have computer controls that could be utilized to form the cuts without using guide members.

Abstract: A method of preparing a femur and tibia in surgery on a knee joint using a navigation system and a robotic system. The navigation system tracks movement of the femur and tibia during the surgery. The robotic system includes a cutting tool for cutting away material from the femur and tibia. Femoral and tibial implants on installed on the femur and tibia.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a body and a first mounting strip connected to a trailing end portion of the body. The body has a leading end portion, a first side surface, a second side surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The central opening has an internal surface with an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface. A first depth is defined between the leading end and the internal leading surface, a first spacing is defined between the first side surface and the first internal side surface and a second spacing is defined between the second side surface and the second internal side surface. The first spacing is substantially the same as the second spacing.

Abstract: To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones. If the wedge member is connected to only one bone, the joint may be capable of being flexed after the wedge member is inserted into the joint.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a polymeric body and a metallic first mounting strip connected to a trailing end portion of the body. The body has a leading end portion, a first side surface, a second side surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The central opening has an internal surface with an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface. A first depth is defined between the leading end and the internal leading surface, a first spacing is defined between the first side surface and the first internal side surface and a second spacing is defined between the second side surface and the second internal side surface. The first spacing is substantially the same as the second spacing and the first depth is less than the first spacing.

Abstract: To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. The wedge member may have a cam-shaped configuration and be rotated through less than a revolution to apply force against the bones. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones. If the wedge member is connected to only one bone, the joint may be capable of being flexed after the wedge member is inserted into the joint.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a polymeric body and a metallic first mounting strip connected to a trailing end portion of the body. The body has a leading end portion, a first side surface, a second side surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The central opening has an internal surface with an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface. A first depth is defined between the leading end and the internal leading surface, a first spacing is defined between the first side surface and the first internal side surface and a second spacing is defined between the second side surface and the second internal side surface. The first spacing is substantially the same as the second spacing and the first depth is less than the first spacing.

Abstract: A method of preparing a femur and tibia in surgery on a knee joint using a navigation system and a robotic system. The navigation system tracks movement of the femur and tibia during the surgery. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool.

Abstract: An anchor, formed of at least two different materials, for securing a suture relative to bone. The anchor includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a leading end configured to facilitate insertion of the body portion into the bone; a passage which is oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body portion and proximate the leading end of the body portion; and bone engaging projections to secure the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: A retainer member formed of bone secures tissue relative to a bone. The retainer member forms an opening in a compact outer layer of the bone. The retainer member is enclosed in a tubular member or sleeve to prevent breaking of the retainer member during formation of the opening in the bone. The extent of movement of the retainer member into the hone in the patient's body is determined as the retainer member is moved into the bone. A suture may be connected with the retainer member and used to connect tissue with the bone. The retainer member may be positioned across a fracture in a bone to hold portions of the hone relative to each other. The retainer member may be used at a joint between end portions of bones to immobilize the joint and be released by breaking the retainer member.

Abstract: A system for performing surgery on a joint. The system includes a robotic subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The navigation subsystem provides the robotic subsystem, during the surgery, with information relating to positions of the bones associated with the joint thereby enabling separate tracking of the bones when the bones move during the surgery. The robotic subsystem includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation subsystem may include a plurality of locating devices.

Abstract: A method for robotic surgery on a joint using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation system tracks movement of bones associated with the joint during the surgery. Information related to tracked positions of the bones is communicated from the navigation system to the robotic system. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices.