Abstract: Adjustable and modular systems, devices and methods for accurately cutting or resecting bones during surgery, particularly in preparation for installing joint implants during arthroplasties, including, but not limited to, preparation of femur or tibia during knee arthroplasties, such as total knee arthroplasty. The embodiments of the present invention provide solutions for adjusting a position of the cutting guides, or structures for guiding or directing the implements for resecting a patient's bone tissue, such as saws. The systems and devices comprise an adjustor for adjusting the cutting guide's position at the patient's bone in at least one degree of rotational freedom and in at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning surgical procedures involving custom medical implants that can involve the selection, design and/or creation of custom medical implants and/or the selection, modification, and/or design of custom surgical procedures related to those implants. Certain embodiments allow implants to be selected, designed, created, or otherwise customized and then placed in patients using non-standard surgical techniques. The invention provides greater flexibility in implant use by allowing a surgeon to revise, create, or otherwise select surgical techniques for custom implants and, ultimately, provide better treatment in a greater variety of medical circumstances. Certain embodiments of the invention involve computer assisted surgery to provide for implant-related surgery involving non-standard surgical steps and/or implants.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatic software flow using instrument detection during a computer-aided surgery. At least system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a computer-aided surgical navigational system with a display screen and at least one sensor. The system can include a processor capable of detecting a plurality of arrays, wherein each array is associated with a respective surgical instrument. The processor is further capable of determining a respective surgical procedure associated with the respective surgical instrument, based at least in part on detecting at least one array using the sensor. In addition, the processor is capable of outputting via the screen at least one user interface associated with the respective surgical procedure associated with the respective surgical instrument.

Abstract: Systems, methods and processes for computer-assisted soft tissue balancing, including ligament balancing, determining surgical cuts, and positioning or placement of the components of the prosthetic knee during TKR. The improved methods, systems and processes resolve several problems related to the prosthetic knee component positioning and soft-tissue balancing during computer-assisted TKR. The improved methods, systems and processes are flexible and versatile, provide reliable recommendations to the surgeon, and improve restoration of the knee function and patient recovery.

Abstract: Input/Output systems and processes for computer assisted surgery systems are described. In one embodiment, a rendering apparatus is adapted to render display information on a presentation substrate during surgery. A plurality of location indicia are attached to the presentation substrate and a sensor senses the position and orientation of the location indicia. A computer functionality determines the position and orientation of the presentation substrate from the information from the sensor on the position of the location indicia. The computer functionality coordinates the rendering apparatus with the position of the display substrate so that the rendering apparatus renders display information onto the presentation substrate used in surgery.

Abstract: Embodiments of improved systems and processes for cutting bones. Embodiments of improved systems and processes for resecting a femoral bone are provided, the system comprising a guiding device adapted to be connected to the femoral bone, a cutting device having a cutting element adapted to resect bone, and a link adapted to connect to the guiding device to the cutting device, wherein the link is adapted to constrain movement of the cutting device. Embodiments of improved systems and processes for cutting knee bones during computer assisted knee surgery are provided, comprising at least one fiducial associated with the guiding device and a tracking functionality capable of tracking a position and orientation of the at least one fiducial.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing a reference array input device for use with a computer-aided surgical navigation system. A reference array input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to provide a plurality of fiducial members comprising portions capable of being sensed by at least two sensors associated with the computer-aided surgical navigation system in order to determine position and orientation of the reference array input device by the system. The reference array input device can include a plurality of indicator detectors adapted to facilitate selection of a corresponding instruction associated with the computer-aided surgical navigation system. The reference array input device can also include a mount adapted to support the reference array input device adjacent to an object, a surgical instrument, or a joint replacement prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing a patient-mounted navigational sensor for use in computer-aided surgery are disclosed. A navigational sensor according to embodiments of the invention includes at least two optical tracking cameras for sensing surgical references and a mount adapted to be attached to the bone of a patient. Because the sensor is mounted to the bone rather than to external apparatus, and is thus closer to the surgical references that it is tracking, it is less likely that line of sight issues due to an acute angle between the plane of the surgical reference and the sensor or due to medical personnel obstructing the path of the reference's signal. Because the navigational sensor is much closer to the surgical references being tracked than in a typical computer-aid surgery scenario, the required camera separation is greatly reduced. Other advantages also accrue from such sensor positioning, as related more fully in this document.

Abstract: Adjustable and modular systems, devices and methods for accurately cutting or resecting bones during surgery, particularly in preparation for installing joint implants during arthroplasties, including, but not limited to, preparation of femur or tibia during knee arthroplasties, such as total knee arthroplasty. The embodiments of the present invention provide solutions for adjusting a position of the cutting guides, or structures for guiding or directing the implements for resecting a patient's bone tissue, such as saws. The systems and devices comprise an adjustor for adjusting the cutting guide's position at the patient's bone in at least one degree of rotational freedom and in at least one degree of translational freedom.

Abstract: Devices and processes for use in computer aided or computer navigated surgery include one or more fault interfaces interposed between an indicium and an item to be used during surgery such as a body part, tool, implant, trial or other structure or component. After the indicia have been registered into the system and surgery begun, it is sometimes the case that indicia can be inadvertently moved or dislodged in position and/or orientation relative to the body part. Fault interfaces according to various embodiments are designed to fail first, so that the indicia can be repositioned relative to the item without the need to reregister the indicia into the system relative to the item. The fault interfaces preferably include structure that allows the indicium to be repositioned relative to the item so that it does not need to be reregistered into the system. Frame attachments which can by easily manufactured at relatively low cost, are disposable, and which are manufactured for single use are disclosed.

Abstract: A probe for data input for a computer-assisted surgical system, comprising a body; one or more movable fiducials operably associated with the probe; and one or more stationary fiducials operably associated with the probe; wherein the movement of the one or more movable fiducials relative to the one or more of the stationary fiducials triggers data input on a position or an orientation of the probe, or both. The probe is particularly suitable for minimally invasive surgery. Also provided is a method of using the probe to input data during computer-assisted surgery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing a navigational array for use with a computer-aided surgical navigation system. A navigational array according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to provide a plurality of fiducial members comprising portions capable of being sensed by at least two sensors associated with the computer-aided surgical navigation system in order to determine position and orientation of the array by the system. The array can include a non-segmenting common point connecting at least some of the fiducial members, wherein at least one of the fiducial members is out of plane with the other three fiducial members, and wherein a position and orientation associated with the navigational array can be determined from sensing at least three of the fiducial members by a computer-aided surgical navigation system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an image guided navigated precision reamer are set forth.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a locking mechanism for preventing an output shaft of the surgical instrument from rotating and a further locking mechanism for mounting a battery pack to a distal end of a housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument further includes a clutch mechanism for limiting the torque of a drive shaft of the surgical instrument. The locking mechanism for preventing the output shaft from rotating includes a locking switch which mates with a locking cap disposed on the output shaft. The locking mechanism for mounting the battery pack to the housing includes a groove at the distal end of the housing and a retaining ring which engages the groove when the battery pack is mounted on the housing. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch plate that interfaces with both the output shaft and the drive shaft and prevents failure of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a locking mechanism for preventing an output shaft of the surgical instrument from rotating and a further locking mechanism for mounting a battery pack to a distal end of a housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument further includes a clutch mechanism for limiting the torque of a drive shaft of the surgical instrument. The locking mechanism for preventing the output shaft from rotating includes a locking switch which mates with a locking cap disposed on the output shaft. The locking mechanism for mounting the battery pack to the housing includes a groove at the distal end of the housing and a retaining ring which engages the groove when the battery pack is mounted on the housing. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch plate that interfaces with both the output shaft and the drive shaft and prevents failure of the motor shaft.