Abstract: An HVAC duct section connection system is provided with first and second corner flanges, and at least one self-threading bolt. Both the first corner flange and the second corner flange include first and second legs. The first and second legs having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is disposed opposite the interior surface. The first and second corner flanges each have at least one fastener aperture extending between the interior and the exterior surfaces, the fastener aperture including an integrally formed truncated cone extending out from the exterior surface, wherein the truncated cone has an inner diameter. The self-threading bolt has a shank and a head, the shank having a threaded section with a thread diameter sized to engage the inner diameter of the truncated cone.

Abstract: A system for computer-assisted guidance in glenohumeral joint surgery may have a processor unit, and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processor and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processor unit for: obtaining a natural range of motion profile for the glenohumeral joint by tracking movement of a humerus relative to a scapula of the glenohumeral joint in a non-invasive natural state, registering intra-operatively the humerus and the scapula to a referential system, fitting the natural range of motion profile to the humerus and the scapula in the referential system, creating an intraoperative range of motion profile for the glenohumeral joint by tracking movement of the humerus relative to the scapula of the glenohumeral joint intraoperatively, and outputting the intraoperative range of motion for the glenohumeral joint as a function of the natural range of motion.

Abstract: Patient-specific instrumentation for use when performing articular joint repair is provided. A patient-specific jig is adapted to be positioned over a bone at an articular surface thereof for assisting in preparing the bone surface for reception of a prosthesis. The jig comprises a bone contacting portion adapted to matingly contact a portion of the articular surface of the bone and a cutting slot adapted to receive therein a saw blade for resecting the articular surface of the bone. The cutting slot may be press-fitted into the opening of a cut guide. A patient-specific plate and a patient-specific rotational guide are also provided for guiding a positioning of the prosthesis over the resected surface of the bone. A method for manufacturing the patient-specific jig is further provided.

Abstract: A system for validating bone alterations during computer-assisted surgery, comprises a processing unit; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: registering a surface of a bone in a coordinate system using a geometry of a patient specific tracker device on the surface of the bone; tracking a tool relative to the bone in the coordinate system as a function of implant geometry and of a planned implant position and orientation on the bone; and validating at least one alteration to the bone using a mating geometry of a validation tracker device applied to an altered surface of the bone.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.

Abstract: An HVAC duct section connection system is provided with first and second corner flanges, and at least one self-threading bolt. Both the first corner flange and the second corner flange include first and second legs. The first and second legs having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is disposed opposite the interior surface. The first and second corner flanges each have at least one fastener aperture extending between the interior and the exterior surfaces, the fastener aperture including an integrally formed truncated cone extending out from the exterior surface, wherein the truncated cone has an inner diameter. The self-threading bolt has a shank and a head, the shank having a threaded section with a thread diameter sized to engage the inner diameter of the truncated cone.

Abstract: A system for validating bone alterations during computer-assisted surgery, comprises a processing unit; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: registering a surface of a bone in a coordinate system using a geometry of a patient specific tracker device on the surface of the bone; tracking a tool relative to the bone in the coordinate system as a function of implant geometry and of a planned implant position and orientation on the bone; and validating at least one alteration to the bone using a mating geometry of a validation tracker device applied to an altered surface of the bone.

Abstract: An on-bone robotic system may have a bone anchor device configured to be received in a bone, the bone anchor device including at least one sensor for tracking an orientation of the bone. A robotic tool unit may be releasably connected to the bone anchor device, the robotic tool unit including one or more actuators for displacing a surgical implement of the robotic tool unit relative to the bone when the robotic tool unit is connected to the bone anchor device. The on-bone robotic system includes one or more joints enabling a degree(s) of freedom of movement of the surgical implement relative to the bone anchor device. The on-bone robotic system includes a processor for operating the at least one actuator as a function of the tracking of the bone by the sensor.

Abstract: A pin placement instrument for placing a pin in a bone comprises an anatomical interface with a hook-like portion being opened in a lateral direction of the instrument to receive a bone therein in a planned position. A drill guide is connected to the anatomical interface and defining at least one guide slot in a longitudinal direction of the instrument. The guide slot has a lateral opening over its full length in the drill guide to allow lateral withdrawal of the instrument in said lateral direction with the pin placed in the bone passing through the lateral opening. A bushing is removably placed in said guide slot via said longitudinal direction in a planned fit, the bushing defining a throughbore aligned with the guide slot and adapted to receive the pin extending in said longitudinal direction when the bushing is in the guide slot for pin placement.

Abstract: A system for tracking at least one object in computer-assisted surgery may include a processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: obtaining orientation data from at least one inertial sensor unit on at least one object; concurrently obtaining position and orientation data for a robot arm relative to a frame of reference; registering the at least one object with the robot arm to determine a position of the at least one object in the frame of reference; and continuously tracking and outputting the position and orientation of the at least one object in the frame of reference, using the orientation data from the at least one inertial sensor unit on the at least one object and the position and orientation data for the robot arm.

Abstract: A pin placement instrument for placing a pin in a bone comprises an anatomical interface with a hook-like portion being opened in a lateral direction of the instrument to receive a bone therein in a planned position. A drill guide is connected to the anatomical interface and defining at least one guide slot in a longitudinal direction of the instrument. The guide slot has a lateral opening over its full length in the drill guide to allow lateral withdrawal of the instrument in said lateral direction with the pin placed in the bone passing through the lateral opening. A bushing is removably placed in said guide slot via said longitudinal direction in a planned fit, the bushing defining a throughbore aligned with the guide slot and adapted to receive the pin extending in said longitudinal direction when the bushing is in the guide slot for pin placement.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to perform robot-aided surgery. A system may include a robotic controller to monitor a position and orientation of an end effector coupled to an end of a robotic arm. The robotic controller may apply a force to a bone using the end effector, such as via a soft tissue balancing component. The robotic controller may determine soft tissue balance using information from a tracking system, such as a position of a first tracker affixed to the bone. The soft tissue balance may be output, such as to a display device.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to perform robot-aided surgery. A system may include a robotic controller to monitor a position and orientation of an end effector coupled to an end of a robotic arm. The robotic controller may apply a force to a bone using the end effector, such as via a soft tissue balancing component. The robotic controller may determine soft tissue balance using information from a tracking system, such as a position of a first tracker affixed to the bone. The soft tissue balance may be output, such as to a display device.

Abstract: A fastener is provided that includes a shank and a head disposed along a lengthwise axis. The head includes a first drive head and a second drive head. Both the first drive head and the second drive head are configured for engagement with at least one drive tool for rotationally driving the fastener about the lengthwise axis. The first drive head is configured differently than the second drive head.

Abstract: An HVAC duct section connection system is provided with first and second corner flanges, and at least one self-threading bolt. Both the first corner flange and the second corner flange include first and second legs. The first and second legs having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is disposed opposite the interior surface. The first and second corner flanges each have at least one fastener aperture extending between the interior and the exterior surfaces, the fastener aperture including an integrally formed truncated cone extending out from the exterior surface, wherein the truncated cone has an inner diameter. The self-threading bolt has a shank and a head, the shank having a threaded section with a thread diameter sized to engage the inner diameter of the truncated cone.

Abstract: A system for validating bone alterations during computer-assisted surgery, comprises a processing unit; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: registering a surface of a bone in a coordinate system using a geometry of a patient specific tracker device on the surface of the bone; tracking a tool relative to the bone in the coordinate system as a function of implant geometry and of a planned implant position and orientation on the bone; and validating at least one alteration to the bone using a mating geometry of a validation tracker device applied to an altered surface of the bone.

Abstract: A closable cooking pouch includes a heat resistant pouch body with a flap attached to it. The flap is tuckable into an opening the permits access to the pouch's interior. To close the pouch, the flap is tucked into the pouch's interior and a hook portion that forms part of the flap is inserted through a slot on the pouch body. Once through the slot, the hook portion retains at least a portion of the flap in the slot when the pouch is closed and typically provides sufficient retaining force to keep the pouch closed if it is flipped while being used for cooking. The pouch may be manufactured from a single sheet of material.

Abstract: A pin placement instrument for placing a pin in a bone comprises an anatomical interface with a hook-like portion being opened in a lateral direction of the instrument to receive a bone therein in a planned position. A drill guide is connected to the anatomical interface and defining at least one guide slot in a longitudinal direction of the instrument. The guide slot has a lateral opening over its full length in the drill guide to allow lateral withdrawal of the instrument in said lateral direction with the pin placed in the bone passing through the lateral opening. A bushing is removably placed in said guide slot via said longitudinal direction in a planned fit, the bushing defining a throughbore aligned with the guide slot and adapted to receive the pin extending in said longitudinal direction when the bushing is in the guide slot for pin placement.