Abstract: A computer-assisted orthopedic surgery system includes a device for generating a three dimensional geometrical surface model of a first bone and a database containing three 3 dimensional implant models of a plurality of available implants. The system includes a computer that is configured to permit a user to select from the database a first implant and display on a screen the three dimensional implant model of the first implant. The computer superimposes on the screen the implant model on top of the model of the first bone such that the two models are visually identifiable from one another.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a base; an upper member; and a linkage mechanism coupled to the base and the upper member and being operable to maintain the upper member in a variable fixed position that is substantially parallel to the base and spaced a predetermined, variable distance therefrom, wherein the linkage mechanism includes at least three linkage elements that are arranged at angles relative to one another such that when one link element opens, the other link elements open with at an equal angle resulting in the upper member being constrained to remain parallel to the base.

Abstract: A computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery system includes a device for generating a three dimensional geometrical surface model of a first bone and a database containing three 3 dimensional implant models of a plurality of available implants. The system includes a computer that is configured to permit a user to select from the database a first implant and display on a screen the three dimensional implant model of the first implant. The computer superimposes on the screen the implant model on top of the model of the first bone such that the two models are visually identifiable from one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a position of a joint prosthesis using a computer assisted orthopedic surgery system in support of an arthroplasty surgery. The method includes attaching a first locatable element to a first bone on one side of a joint, providing a sensor having a second locatable element and moving the sensor in proximity of the joint to locate a plurality of positions of the sensor relative to the first locatable element using a tracking device. The method further includes selecting a generic model of a joint, determining the generic model in response to the plurality of positions located using the tracking device to generate a deformed model, determining a position for a joint prosthesis on the deformed model, and outputting on a display the determined position upon the deformed model.

Abstract: A computer assisted orthopedic surgery system in support of an arthroplasty surgery of a patient's knee joint including a first locatable element attachable to a first bone on one side of the patient's knee joint. The system includes a sensor in the form of a second locatable element. The sensor is movable in proximity of the patient's knee joint. A tracking device locates a plurality of positions of the sensor relative to the first locatable element. The system also includes an initial generic model of a knee joint that is not specific to the patient. A computer is configured to deform the generic model in response to the plurality of positions of the tracking device that are specific to the patient and to determine a position for a knee prosthesis on the deformed model. The determined position upon the deformed model is outputted and displayed on a display connected to the computer.

Abstract: A device for guiding a cutting tool capable of cutting bone portions at the level of the head of a bone includes a seat intended to be fastened at the level of said head defining a first rotation axis (?). The device includes means for adjusting the position of the first rotation axis with respect to said seat and an arm, with one end of said arm being pivotally assembled on said seat according to the first rotation axis. A guide intended to support the tool is pivotally assembled on the arm according to a second rotation axis (?).

Abstract: A system for guiding resurfacing operations on at least a portion of a joint of at least one bone is provided and uses a guide with actuators (motors) controlled by a computer to position a cutting tool relative to a bone so that the bone surface can be cut in a flexible and accurate manner.

Abstract: A computer assisted orthopedic surgery system for ligament graft reconstruction includes a system for obtaining data indicative of a location for ligament graft placement with respect to at least a first bone and a second bone. The system includes a position determining device that is capable of tracking the relative movements of the first and second bones using reference bodies that are attached to the first and second bones and a pointer that has a tip for contacting a surface of at least one of the first and second bones to capture one or more reference points. The system further includes a computer that is configured to determine and track intraoperative positions of the reference bodies and the pointer and to provide isometric and impingement data for a ligament graft placement based on a realistic simulation of a trajectory of a deformable ligament graft.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical robotic system includes a main controller and a motor unit assembly that is associated with a robot and is in communication with the main controller. The motor unit assembly has a non-sterile motor unit and a sterile enclosure that surrounds and contains the motor unit. The motor unit includes at least one motor and a motor controller that is operatively connected to the motor unit, wherein the motor unit and the enclosure are configured to permit attachment between the motor unit and the controller.

Abstract: A position locating instrument for accurately determining the location of a cutting plane includes a base connected to means capable of determining the position of the instrument. The base includes bent blades 28 A to 28 D that are flexible enough not to prevent the insertion of plate 24 into opening 36 of a bone cuffing guide. Bent blades 28 A to 28 D are however rigid enough to maintain lower surface 25 of plate 24 pressed against lower surface 38 of opening 36, with the free ends of bent blades 28 A to 28 D bearing against upper surface 39 of opening 36. Bent blades 28 A to 28 D have a sufficient stiffness to provide a sufficient force to oppose displacement of plate 24 that is inserted in opening 36 by pushing lower surface 25 of plate 24 onto lower surface 38 of opening 36. Play between plate 24 and opening 36 are suppressed. By determining the position of plate 24, the position of the cuffing plane is thus directly and accurately obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the determination of the position of a radiographic or radioscopic unit (16) with relation to a reference point (Rref) on producing a radiographic image of an object (10). The position of the unit (16) with relation to a reference point (Rref) is determined from the determination of the position of a test pattern (25), with relation to the unit (16), which is mechanically fixed to the object, by using the image of the test pattern with relation to the reference point (Rref). The invention further relates to a determining device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for haptic hard surface emulation using a dynamic physical constraint are provided. The movement and position of the dynamic physical constraint is actively controlled in order to emulate a hard surface. The dynamic physical constraint may be controlled by a computer. In another aspect of the invention, the dynamic physical constraint limits the motion of a manipulator joint in space. The position at any time of the dynamic physical constraint is dependent on the position in space of the manipulator's end effector.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for fixing a first object to a second object during a navigated surgery includes a body; a pair of articulating arms that are pivotally connected to the body; and a pair of deformable, elastic components that are detachably coupled to an inner face of the articulating arms so as to permit removal and replacement of the components relative to the articulating arms. An exposed surface of the elastic components is intended to contact the second object to permit the device to be securely attached to the second object.

Abstract: A computerized bone motion tracking system according to one exemplary embodiment is configured to: provide a non-invasive means for accurate measurement and tracking of the motion of a bone using a volumetric ultrasound transducer and a three dimensional position measurement system; provide relative measurements of one bone relative to another bone of a joint; decompose relative joint motion into specific components; and measure joint instability and range of motion.

Abstract: A computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery system includes a device for generating a three dimensional geometrical surface model of a first bone and a database containing three 3 dimensional implant models of a plurality of available implants. The system includes a computer that is configured to permit a user to select from the database a first implant and display on a screen the three dimensional implant model of the first implant. The computer superimposes on the screen the implant model on top of the model of the first bone such that the two models are visually identifiable from one another.

Abstract: A method for performing computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery includes the steps of: (1) producing and displaying three-dimensional geometrical models of first and second bones, the first and second bones forming a joint; (2) identifying a zone of impingement between the first bone and the second bone on at least one of the bones; and (3) generating and displaying a color map of at least one surface of at least one bone, the at least one surface being within the zone of impingement, the color map including different colors representing different depths of bone to be removed in order to achieve an increased range of motion between the first and second bones.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reference markers that are used in position measuring device that can be part of a computer assisted surgery (CAOS) system. The reference marker is constructed of a rigid body that has 360 degrees of visibility.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system for performing joint replacement or resurfacing surgeries includes a computer that contains software that is adapted to permit an operator of the system to physically evaluate post-operative laxity and stiffness of a joint based on planned implant placement, prior to all cuts being made for at least one side of the joint to accommodate the implant and before components of the implant are installed in the joint, wherein the planned implant placement is measured in terms of a position of at least one virtual implant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for determining the ideal theoretical position of a knee prosthesis comprising, for determining the position of a tibial prosthesis, means for: determining the shape of the tibia proximal part and its position relative to the centre of the ankle joint; determining a high point of the tibial plateau; calculating the position of the ankle, the orientation and the size relative to the tibia of the tibial prosthesis and the section plane corresponding to the tibial prosthesis taking into account the following parameters: the perpendicular to the section plane passing through the centre of the prosthesis also passes through the centre of the ankle joint; the section plane is at a distance from said high point equal to the height of the prosthesis to be fixed; the large end of the prosthesis is centred on the large end of the tibia cross-section in the section plane; the front edge of the small end of the prosthesis is at a predetermined distance from the small end of the tibia cross

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the position of an anatomical element (12) of a patient (10), consisting in determining at an initial moment the position of the anatomical element from positions of anatomical points (14, 16, 18) which are characteristic of said patient; disposing a marking device (30) on the skin of the patient, said marking device being fixed in relation to the anatomical element; determining the position of the marking device, whereby the anatomical element is substantially the position determined at the initial instant; determining the relative position of the anatomical element in relation to the marking device; covering the marking device at least partially with at least one operational field; and determining the position of the marking device covered at least partially with said operational field and deducing the position of the anatomical element.