Abstract: A system and method is provided for resolving a pivot point via touchless interaction. It applies to situations where one end of a rigid object is inaccessible but remains stationary at a pivot point, while the other end is free to move and is accessible to an input pointing device. As an example, the rigid object can be a leg bone where the proximal end is at the hip joint and the distal end is at the knee. The system comprises a wand and a receiver that are spatially configurable to touchlessly locate the pivot point without contact. The receiver tracks a relative displacement of the wand and geometrically resolves the location of the pivot point by a spherical mapping. The system can use a combination of ultrasonic sensing and/or accelerometer measurements. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopedic surgical spine measurement system comprises a first tool, a second tool, and a remote system. The first tool is a distractor having a plurality of load sensors for measuring load magnitude and position of load of a distracted region of the spine. The first tool and second tool also includes circuitry to measure a position and trajectory. The remote system receives data from the first tool and can display the parameter being measured and the position and trajectory of the first tool. A second tool holds a spine component. The remote system supports placement of the spine component by comparing the position and trajectory of the second tool to the path of the first tool. The remote system and second tool can provide visual, audible, or haptic feedback to support directing the second tool similarly to the first tool.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant having an energy-harvesting device is disclosed. In one embodiment the orthopedic implant is a prosthetic component of a joint of the muscular-skeletal system. The orthopedic implant can include electronic circuitry, a power source, and one or more sensors for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system or a parameter of in proximity to the implant. The energy-harvesting device generates charge for powering the electronic circuitry using movement of the muscular-skeletal system. The energy-harvesting device comprises a piezo-electric element that converts changes in force into charge that is stored onto a storage device. The energy-harvesting device is coupled to the patella of a knee joint. Movement of the knee joint changes a force applied to the energy-harvesting device thereby generating charge that is coupled to circuitry in a prosthetic component of the knee joint.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring anterior-posterior slope of a bone to set a cutting jig coupled to the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a sensored module that can be placed within a prosthetic component to measure anterior-posterior slope. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. A first bone and a second bone are placed in extension. A sensored module is referenced to a bone landmark of the first bone. The sensored module includes a three-axis accelerometer that is configured to measure position, tilt, and rotation. A bone cutting jig is coupled to the first bone. The sensored insert is coupled to the bone cutting jig. The accelerometer in the sensored insert is used to measure the anterior-posterior slope. The bone cutting jig is then adjusted to a predetermined anterior-posterior slope as measured by the sensored insert.

Abstract: A graphical user interface having a portion of an orthopedic system displayed on an electronic display. Where the graphical user interface displays: a parameter of the orthopedic system; a portion of an orthopedic insert; and a parameter of the orthopedic insert. Where in response to detecting movement of the orthopedic system the displayed portion of the orthopedic system is moved, a change of the parameter of the orthopedic system is displayed, and a change in parameter of the orthopedic insert is displayed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for aligning a bone cutting jig for a bone cut relative to a mechanical axis. The method utilizes a three-axis accelerometer in a device to measure position, rotation, and tilt. The device is coupled to a bone-cutting jig. The bone-cutting jig is coupled to a bone. A joint of the bone is placed in a predetermined flexion. The joint end of the bone is rotated between a first point and a second point. As the joint rotates it pivots off a pivot point related to the mechanical axis. The joint rotation is monitored on a remote system. The device transmits data related to an arc made by the joint as it is rotated. The alignment of the bone relative to the mechanical axis is calculated from the three-axis accelerometer data. The bone-cutting jig is positioned to cut the bone based on the alignment measurement.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring bone slope or tilt of a prepared bone surface of the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a three-axis accelerometer for measuring position, rotation, and tilt. In one embodiment, the three-axis accelerometer can be housed in a prosthetic component that couples to a prepared bone surface. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from one or more sensors. A bone is placed in extension. The three-axis accelerometer is referenced to a bone landmark of the bone when the bone is in extension. The three-axis accelerometer is then coupled to the prepared bone surface with the bone in extension. The slope or tilt of the bone surface is measured. In the example, the slope or tilt of the bone surface corresponds to at least one surface of the prosthetic component attached thereto.

Abstract: A bone cutting system is disclosed that supports one or more bone cuts that are aligned relative to a mechanical axis. The system comprises a first bone cutting jig, a second bone cutting jig, a sensored insert, a bone jig adapter shim, and a device having at least two reference surfaces. The sensored insert includes a three-axis accelerometer to measure position, rotation, and tilt and includes a plurality of sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The reference surface device can be an operating table having a first reference surface and a second reference surface that is perpendicular to the first reference surface for referencing the three-axis accelerometer. The bone jig adapter shim can include a tab that fits into a slot of the first or second bone cutting jigs. A remote system receives accelerometer data to calculate offset relative to a mechanical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring medial-lateral tilt of a bone is disclosed. The bone is coupled to a joint of the muscular-skeletal system. The method comprises coupling a three-axis accelerometer to a prepared bone surface of a bone. The three-axis accelerometer is configured to measure position, rotation, and tilt. The joint is rotated between two points. The rotation between the two points traverses an arc having a maximum therebetween. The joint pivots off of a surface to which the bone is coupled. In one embodiment, a pivot point and joint rotation relates to a mechanical axis of the joint and bone. The three-axis accelerometer measures data points along the arc as it is rotated between the two points. Multiple passes along the arc generates sufficient data points to determine the maximum. The position of the maximum is used to calculate the medial-lateral tilt of the bone.

Abstract: An alignment system for the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The system supports parameter measurement and alignment. The system comprises a sensored device, a reference position tool, and a remote system configured to receive and display sensor data. The sensored device includes a three-axis accelerometer configured to measure position, rotation, and slope. The reference position tool comprises a body, a first arm coupled to a proximal end of the body, and a second arms coupled to a proximal end of the body. The sensored device couples to the reference position tool. The first and second arms of the reference position tool couples to the muscular-skeletal system in predetermined locations to allow a position of the muscular-skeletal system to be referenced. The body of the reference position tool can extend and retract to adapt to different sized muscular-skeletal systems.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring alignment of the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a sensored module that can be placed within a prosthetic component to measure load, position of load, and joint alignment. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. Alignment relative to a mechanical axis is measured. In a two bone system with a joint therebetween the total alignment measured comprises offsets measured for each bone. The joint is placed in a predetermined flexion that supports measurement of the joint as it is moved. The joint pivots on a point that is along the mechanical axis. Points along the arc made by the joint rotating between a first and second point are measured. An arc maximum is determined. The arc maximum is then converted to varus or valgus offset relative to the mechanical axis.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant having a three-axis accelerometer is disclosed. The three-axis accelerometer is used to detect micro-motion in the implant. The micro-motion can be due to loosening of the implant. The implant is configured to couple to the muscular-skeletal system. In one embodiment, the implant is configured to couple to bone. An impact force is imparted to the bone or implant. The impact force can be provided via a transducer coupled to the implant. In the example, the impact force is imparted along a single axis. The three-axis accelerometer measures the impact force along each axis. Resultant peaks of the quantitative measurement and the frequencies at which they occur are measured. The peaks and frequencies of the measurements correspond to micro-motion. Typically, the frequency of interest is less than 1 KHz to determine if micro-motion is occurring.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a contact point of a joint is disclosed. The system comprises a prosthetic component having sensors therein and a remote system to receive and display sensor data. A plurality of sensors of the prosthetic component provide data related to load magnitude and position of load applied to a surface of the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component further includes one or sensors that provide position, rotation, and tilt data. Adjustment of the contact point of the prosthetic component can be performed by repositioning the prosthetic component relative to a bone to which it is coupled. For example, a prosthetic component can be pinned to the bone allowing rotation of the prosthetic component relative to the bone in-situ. A remote system receives sensor data from the prosthetic component allowing viewing of the load magnitude, position of load, and rotation of the prosthetic component.

Abstract: A method of providing feedback to a user of an orthopedic alignment system, which displays: a portion of an orthopedic system; a parameter of the orthopedic system; a portion of an orthopedic insert in the display; and a parameter of the orthopedic insert. Where the method detects movement of the orthopedic system, and moves the displayed portion of the orthopedic system in response to the movement of the orthopedic system. Where the method additionally detects changes of the parameter of the orthopedic insert and of the parameter of the orthopedic system during movement of the orthopedic system, and displays the changes of the parameter of the orthopedic insert and the parameter of the orthopedic system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed herein for providing a kinetic assessment and preparation of a prosthetic joint comprising one or more prosthetic components. The system comprises a prosthetic component including sensors and circuitry configured to measure load, position of load, and joint alignment. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. The kinetic assessment measures joint alignment under loading that will be similar to that of a final joint installation. The kinetic assessment can use trial or permanent prosthetic components. Furthermore, adjustments can be made to the applied load magnitude, position of load, and joint alignment by various means to fine-tune an installation. The kinetic assessment increases both performance and reliability of the installed joint by reducing error that is introduced by elements that load or modify the joint dynamics not taken into account by prior assessment methods.

Abstract: A knee bone cut system and method is disclosed. The knee bone cut system supports cutting an anterior portion of a distal end of a femur. The system comprises a sensored insert, a femoral rotation guide, and a remote system to receive and display sensor data. The sensored insert provide data related to load magnitude, position of load, and leg position. The femoral rotation guide has moveable condyles to adjust condyle position in a rapid manner. A pinch mechanism and lock mechanism respectively move the condyles into contact with the sensored insert. Moreover, the femoral rotation guide can be loaded similar to a final installed insert over a range of motion. For example, the patella can be placed on the femoral rotation guide allowing the patella to load the sensored insert. The femoral insert guide includes guide holes that are used in conjunction with a bone cutting jig.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. Sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component can include a temperature sensor or a pH sensor. The temperature or pH of the synovial fluid can be correlated to a variety of joint conditions. Measurements over time can be analyzed for trends. The temperature or pH can be calibrated for the patient. For example, calibration can be for temperature or pH of a patient healthy joint. The measurements are compared against this patient reference.

Abstract: A system and method of touchless interaction is provided for resolving a pivot point of an object where direct placement of a sensor at the pivot point is not practical. It applies to situations where the pivot point of a rigid object is inaccessible but remains stationary, while the other end is free to move and is accessible. The system maps the object's pivot point by way of an external sensor that detects constrained motion of the rigid object within a hemispherical banded boundary. It can also detect a geometric pattern and acceleration during the constrained motion to compensate for higher order rotations about the pivot point. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.

Abstract: A spinal instrument includes sensors for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The spinal instrument includes a sensored head region that can be inserted into a spinal region. The spinal instrument comprises a housing, a housing, an electronic assembly, and a flexible interconnect. Housing includes a handle portion, a shaft portion, and a support structure. Similarly, housing includes a handle portion, a shaft portion, and a support structure. Furthermore, housing has a cavity and a lengthwise passage respectively for receiving electronic assembly and flexible interconnect. A sensored head region of spinal instrument includes an assembly stack for measuring load magnitude and position of load on the support structure and the support structure. The flexible interconnect couples the electronic assembly to the sensors.