Abstract: A joint prosthesis and/or trial implant alignment system (10) for intraoperatively assisting an alignment of a joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12) during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The system comprises patient-specific pre-operative data (14) forming a three-dimensional image (14) containing bone structure (32) and a predetermined alignment of the joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12) thereon. A patient imaging device (16) is for producing patient-specific intraoperative data 18 which forms a two-dimensional image 18 showing bone structure (32) and a real-time position of the joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12) thereon. Registration means (20) registers the intraoperative data 18 with the pre-operative data (14) based on geometry of said bone structure and/or geometry of said joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12).

Abstract: A computer-assisted implant positioning system is provided that includes a receiver; a memory operatively connected to the receiver and a processor. The processor is configured to receive preoperative patient-specific data, receive a 3D model of the subject implant, receive an intraoperative patient-specific 2D image of the target bone, register the 3D model of the subject implant to the intraoperative patient-specific 2D image and determine a best fit for the 3D model of the subject implant to the intraoperative patient-specific 2D image, register the 3D bone model of the target bone to the intraoperative patient-specific 2D image of the target bone and determine a best fit for the 3D bone model to the intraoperative patient-specific 2D image, determine an achieved 3D implant position based on the registered 3D model of the subject implant and the registered 3D bone model, and assess the achieved implant position relative to the preoperative patient-specific data.

Abstract: A computer assisted orthopedic surgery system for soft tissue balancing and implant planning is provided. The system includes a three dimensional position tracking system, a robot, a display, and a computer. The computer is operatively in communication with the three dimensional position tracking system, the robot and the display. The computer includes a processor configured to acquire native gap data between a first bone and a second bone of a joint, simulate implant gap data between a first implant model on a first bone model of the first bone and a second implant model on a second bone model of the second bone of the joint based on an implant planning criteria to calculate a plurality of implant gap profiles, determine a best match of the plurality of implant gap profiles to the native gap profile to determine an optimized implant plan, and output the optimized implant plan.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis and/or trial implant alignment system (10) for intraoperatively assisting an alignment of a joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12) during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The system comprises patient-specific pre-operative data (14) forming a three-dimensional image (14) containing bone structure (32) and a predetermined alignment of the joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12) thereon. A patient imaging device (16) is for producing patient-specific intraoperative data 18 which forms a two-dimensional image 18 showing bone structure (32) and a real-time position of the joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12) thereon. Registration means (20) registers the intraoperative data 18 with the pre-operative data (14) based on geometry of said bone structure and/or geometry of said joint prosthesis and/or trial implant (12).

Abstract: A method for aligning a patient implant, the method comprising the steps of: generating a digital implant model of the patient implant; determining a desired alignment of the patient implant based on predetermined alignment data; imaging an operative area of the patient to create patient-specific implant reference data; creating a virtual overlay of the digital implant model in the determined desired alignment relative to the patient-specific implant reference data; and operatively aligning the patient implant using the virtual overlay. A patient implant system to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method (100) for aligning and positioning an implant (305). The method (100) comprises creating a reference using a guide (500) configured in accordance with patient specific data; fixing the reference using a reference marker (920) and delivering the implant (305) with an impactor (1005) aligned in accordance with the reference. Guide light emission means (515a) may be employed to create the reference, reference marker light emission means (515b) may be employed to fix the reference and impactor light emission means (515c) may be employed to align an impactor (1005).

Abstract: There is described a jig for identifying a point on the femoral head which is in alignment with a central axis of the femoral neck. The jig comprises a first member which defines a plane and has means for at least partially receiving the femoral neck. The jig also comprises a guide member which is mounted apart from the first member and which defines an axis at right angles to the plane defined by the first member. The axis of the guide member intersects the plane at a point which is a predetermined distance away from the means receiving the femoral neck. In addition, the jig comprises an elongate alignment means which is mounted with respect to the first member and which is spaced apart from, but extends parallel to, the axis of the guide member. There is also described a kit for use in the resurfacing of the femoral head. The kit comprises at least one jig as previously described.

Abstract: There is described a jig for identifying a point on the femoral head which is in alignment with a central axis of the femoral neck. The jig comprises a first member which defines a plane and has means for at least partially receiving the femoral neck. The jig also comprises a guide member which is mounted apart from the first member and which defines an axis at right angles to the plane defined by the first member. The axis of the guide member intersects the plane at a point which is a predetermined distance away from the means receiving the femoral neck. In addition, the jig comprises an elongate alignment means which is mounted with respect to the first member and which is spaced apart from, but extends parallel to, the axis of the guide member. There is also described a kit for use in the resurfacing of the femoral head. The kit comprises at least one jig as previously described.

Abstract: There is described a jig for identifying a point on the femoral head which is in alignment with a central axis of the femoral neck. The jig comprises a first member which defines a plane and has means for at least partially receiving the femoral neck. The jig also comprises a guide member which is mounted apart from the first member and which defines an axis at right angles to the plane defined by the first member. The axis of the guide member intersects the plane at a point which is a predetermined distance away from the means receiving the femoral neck. In addition, the jig comprises an elongate alignment means which is mounted with respect to the first member and which is spaced apart from, but extends parallel to, the axis of the guide member. There is also described a kit for use in the resurfacing of the femoral head. The kit comprises at least one jig as previously described.

Abstract: A bone tapping kit for cutting an internal thread into bone defining a bore. The kit comprises 1) a guide component with a threaded aperture which, when in position, is aligned with the bore, and 2) a tap having a first portion with a first diameter and an external thread designed to engage with the threaded aperture of the guide component, and a second portion having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter and a helical cutting edge designed so that it can be received into the bore and cut an internal thread therein. The guide component and tap are dimensioned so that when the tap is introduced into the guide component the first portion engages with the threaded aperture in the guide component before the helical cutting edge of the second portion engages with the bore. Thus, the thread configuration that is cut into the bore forms a continuation of the same helix defined by the internal thread of the aperture of the guide member.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis which is designed to be at least partially received within an intervertebral disc space. The intervertebral disc space is defined between an end plate of a first vertebral body and an adjacent end plate of a second, adjacent vertical body. The prosthesis comprises a first component which is designed to be attached to the first vertebral body and a second component which is designed to be attached to the second vertebral body. The first and second components comprise surfaces which, in use, are directed towards the opposing end plate and which extend substantially entirely across the part of the component which is received within the intervertebral disc space. The surfaces of both the first and second components define respective monotonic curves which have no discontinuities therein.

Abstract: A bone tapping kit for cutting an internal thread into bone defining a bore. The kit comprises 1) a guide component with a threaded aperture which, when in position, is aligned with the bore, and 2) a tap having a first portion with a first diameter and an external thread designed to engage with the threaded aperture of the guide component, and a second portion having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter and a helical cutting edge designed so that it can be received into the bore and cut an internal thread therein. The guide component and tap are dimensioned so that when the tap is introduced into the guide component the first portion engages with the threaded aperture in the guide component before the helical cutting edge of the second portion engages with the bore. Thus, the thread configuration that is cut into the bore forms a continuation of the same helix defined by the internal thread of the aperture of the guide member.

Abstract: There is described a jig for identifying a point on the femoral head which is in alignment with a central axis of the femoral neck. The jig comprises a first member which defines a plane and has means for at least partially receiving the femoral neck. The jig also comprises a guide member which is mounted apart from the first member and which defines an axis at right angles to the plane defined by the first member. The axis of the guide member intersects the plane at a point which is a predetermined distance away from the means receiving the femoral neck. In addition, the jig comprises an elongate alignment means which is mounted with respect to the first member and which is spaced apart from, but extends parallel to, the axis of the guide member. There is also described a kit for use in the resurfacing of the femoral head. The kit comprises at least one jig as previously described.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises, in combination, a tibial component, a femoral component and two meniscal components. One of the meniscal components is configured to co-operate with the tibial component such that relative movement therebetween is prevented. The other meniscal component is configured to co-operate with the tibial component such that limited relative movement therebetween is allowed. The tibial component has two fixed bollards projecting upwardly from an upper surface thereof. The two bollards have annular outwardly extending portions engageable in corresponding recesses in the one meniscal component in a snap fit manner.

Abstract: A surgical implant, typically a cervical plate assembly, comprises a plate having at least two apertures and two screw threaded fastening devices for securing the plate to bone. Each aperture in the plate has an annular groove intermediate opposite ends of the aperture and each fastening device comprises an outer screw and an inner plug. The screw has a head at one end, a tip at the other end, an externally threaded shank between the head and the tip and an internal bore extending axially through the head and at least part way into the shank for receiving the inner plug. The head comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable fingers separated by one another by axially extending slits. Each finger has an outwardly projecting rib extending circumferentially of the head intermediate opposite ends of the finger for snap fit engagement in the annular groove of a respective plate aperture.