Abstract: The application provides molds for the manufacture of intraluminal endoprostheses and methods for their manufacture. In particular embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of providing a 3D model of the mold, meshing the model, manufacturing a mold based on said meshed 3D model. Also provided herein are methods for manufacturing an endoprosthesis using said mold.

Abstract: Provided herein are patient-specific surgical guiding tools for positioning on a socket of a ball-and-socket joint, e.g. a glenoid cavity. The guiding tools comprise a central contact element fitting within the socket and one or more lateral contact elements fitting on the rim of the socket. The guiding tools allow accurate positioning of surgical tools such as alignment elements, according to a pre-operational planning. Methods for the manufacture and use of said guiding tools are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to guiding instruments and methods for the manufacture thereof, for facilitating the positioning of an implant in a socket of a ball-and-socket joint, by allowing the positioning an alignment element such as a pin, wire, screw or drill.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating intraluminal prosthetic implants designed to fit onto specific anatomical locations within regions which are stable in terms of their motion in time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical guides, and methods for their manufacture. The invention provides surgical guides comprising at least one alignment element and at least two guiding elements. The alignment elements can constrain the guiding elements into an initial position which guides a surgical operation, and optionally at least one target position different from the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration devices, the use thereof and methods for the in-line geometric and grey-value correction of data obtained from imaging N devices such as x-ray radiography. The calibration devices according to the invention comprise a set of two or more interconnected calibration components and a means for mounting the set of calibration components on the body.

Abstract: Surgical guiding tools for surgery on a bone head which include a cutting component, a guiding component and a collar having a patient-specific component are disclosed. The surgical guiding tools are interconnected which ensures secure and accurate placement of the guiding tool and thus guarantees accurate implementation of the pre-operative planning of the surgical intervention.

Abstract: A method and system for archiving 3D geometry information for a plurality of subjects, and on a particular part of the body (which may also be the whole body) is described. The method and system allow an organizing and an analyzing step, resulting in scalable characteristic components for the particular part of the body, and an approximation of the geometry of that particular part of the body for a specific subject by a combination of a sub-set of those characteristic components with corresponding scale factors, which are then stored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved stereolithography method and system for generating a three-dimensional object by forming successive, adjacent, cross-sectional laminae of that object, thereby providing an object being specially processed to reduce differential shrinkage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical tool, e.g. surgical guide frame for medical treatments, comprising: —a rigid structure, and —at least one functional guidance element (13), wherein the rigid structure comprises means for positioning and holding the rigid structure around a soft tissue area of a patient and includes means for compressing the soft tissue area surrounded by the positioning and holding means as well as to the use of such a therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical tool for medical treatments, especially in areas where the therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical tool, e.g. surgical guide is supported on soft tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical guide for an intra-operative adjustment of a guidance element to a pre-planned position. An advantage and innovation of the present invention is that it provides a template or guide that adapts in a controlled way to a changed intra-operative anatomical situation compared to the default planned situation. This adaption maybe purely positional but it may also include force feedback. Feedback, either visual feedback or force feedback that results in an adjustment of a guidance element is also an aspect of the present invention. For example, the feedback can contain information either about the fit of the guide or template onto a bone (in case the guide or template fits onto one bone) or about the relative position of two bones of bone fragments (e.g. ligament tension between the femur and tibia).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for placing implants using a surgical template which is made from tomographic cuts in the patient's jawbone. Step drills and calibrating drills, having a single standard diameter for each type of implant, are guided through drill bushings which are inserted into bores in the template in order to produce any drilling sequence corresponding to an implant plan. The penetration depth of the drills is controlled by the height of the bores or by the drill rings. The method limits the required number of drills and implant supports to the longest models only. The inventive method and device are particularly suitable for computer-assisted implantology systems.

Abstract: Surgical guiding tools for surgery on a bone head which include a cutting component, a guiding component and a collar having a patient-specific component are disclosed. The surgical guiding tools are interconnected which ensures secure and accurate placement of the guiding tool and thus guarantees accurate implementation of the pre-operative planning of the surgical intervention.

Abstract: A pivot or hinge structure integrated into the main body of an exoskeletal, e.g. orthotic device is described as well as methods for computer aided designing and making of these devices. Computer systems and software for carrying out the methods are also described. The integrated pivot or hinge structure has a specified axis of rotation, such as one coinciding or approximating with the natural rotation axis of the ankle, knee, elbow or any other relevant joint. Preferably the pivot or hinged structure is provided with a personalised resistance to rotation. The pivot or hinge structure is a pivot or hinge comprising at least two separate cylindrical parts that rotate with respect to each other, the axis of rotation being at the centre of the cylinder. The pivot or hinge can be placed to the optimal location and orientation in regard to the limb or anatomical features observed or measured from the patient thanks to the layered manufacturing technique. The range of motion can be structurally limited if needed.

Abstract: Orthotic and prosthetic devices having integrated features such as cushioning features are described, as well as methods for computer aided designing and making of these devices. The orthotic or prosthetic devices comprise a cushioning layer superimposed onto an orthotic or prosthetic shell, the cushioning layer comprising an array (35) of discrete solid and resilient cushioning elements (31). In one preferred embodiment, said cushioning structure is a beam, defined around a centerline of any arbitrary shape. In another preferred embodiment, said cushioning structure has the shape of a spiral.