Abstract: A method of evaluating a human joint which includes two or more bones and ligaments, wherein the ligaments are under anatomical tension to connect the bones together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: defining locations of one or more sockets, each socket representing a ligament attachment point to bone; interconnecting the one or more sockets with mathematical relationships that describe the kinematic physics of the one or more sockets relative to one another; providing spatial information to describe the movement of the sockets relative to one another; defining an initial kinematic state of the joint; defining a final kinematic state of the joint; using computer-based system to compute a difference between the initial and final kinematic states; and using a computer-based system to compute modifications to the mathematical relationships of the sockets to achieve a final kinematic state.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human joint which includes two or more bones and ligaments, wherein the ligaments are under anatomical tension to connect the bones together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: defining locations of one or more sockets, each socket representing a ligament attachment point to bone; interconnecting the one or more sockets with mathematical relationships that describe the kinematic physics of the one or more sockets relative to one another; providing spatial information to describe the movement of the sockets relative to one another; defining an initial kinematic state of the joint; defining a final kinematic state of the joint; using computer-based system to compute a difference between the initial and final kinematic states; and using a computer-based system to compute modifications to the mathematical relationships of the sockets to achieve a final kinematic state.

Abstract: A method of evaluating soft tissue of a human joint which includes two or more bones and ligaments, wherein the ligaments are under anatomical tension to connect the bones together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint, the method includes: inserting into the joint a tensioner-balancer that includes a means of controlling a distraction force; providing an electronic receiving device; moving the joint through at least a portion of its range of motion; while moving the joint, controlling the distraction force, and collecting displacement and distraction load data of the bones; processing the collected data to produce a digital geometric model of the joint, wherein the model includes: ligament displacement data along a range of flexion angles and ligament load data along a range of flexion angles; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human joint which includes two or more bones and ligaments, wherein the ligaments are under anatomical tension to connect the bones together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: defining locations of one or more sockets, each socket representing a ligament attachment point to bone; interconnecting the one or more sockets with mathematical relationships that describe the kinematic physics of the one or more sockets relative to one another; providing spatial information to describe the movement of the sockets relative to one another; defining an initial kinematic state of the joint; defining a final kinematic state of the joint; using computer-based system to compute a difference between the initial and final kinematic states; and using a computer-based system to compute modifications to the mathematical relationships of the sockets to achieve a final kinematic state.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human joint including bones and ligaments under anatomical tension to connect the bones. The method includes: defining a primary datum oriented and fixed in six degrees of freedom; defining at least one secondary datum having fixed origins relative to one of the bones of the joint and relative to a tracking device affixed to the bone; providing an electronic receiving device; while moving the bones of the joint relative to each other, using the electronic receiving device to collect data from the at least one tracking device, wherein the data includes information describing the position and movement in six degrees of freedom of the at least one secondary datum relative to the primary datum to produce a digital geometric model of at least a portion of the joint; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint includes: a mounting bracket; a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket; a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; a mounting element coupled to the mounting bracket; an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a baseplate, a top plate, and a linkage operable to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate between retracted and extended positions, the linkage including: a first toggle linkage, including a lower link and an upper link; a second toggle linkage, including a lower link and an upper link; a connector linkage interconnecting the first and second toggle linkages; wherein the links comprise parallel pivot axes and the linkage is configured so as to produce linear movement of the top plate relative to the base plate, in response to a rotational movement of one or more of the links; and wherein the linkage includes an input shaft coupled to the linkage and configured to accept a rotary input about an axis parallel to the parallel pivot axes of the links of the linkage.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a tensioner-balancer, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage operable to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate between retracted and extended positions in response to application of an actuating force, the linkage including: a first toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; a second toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; and a connector linkage interconnecting the first and second toggle linkages.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a tensioner-balancer, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage operable to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate between retracted and extended positions in response to application of an actuating force, the linkage including: a first toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; a second toggle linkage, including: a lower link having a first end pivotally connected to the baseplate; an upper link having a first end pivotally connected to the top plate, wherein second ends of the first and second links are pivotally connected to each other; and a connector linkage interconnecting the first and second toggle linkages.

Abstract: A method of evaluating soft tissue of a human joint which includes two or more bones and ligaments, wherein the ligaments are under anatomical tension to connect the bones together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint, the method includes: inserting into the joint a tensioner-balancer that includes a means of controlling a distraction force; providing an electronic receiving device; moving the joint through at least a portion of its range of motion; while moving the joint, controlling the distraction force, and collecting displacement and distraction load data of the bones; processing the collected data to produce a digital geometric model of the joint, wherein the model includes: ligament displacement data along a range of flexion angles and ligament load data along a range of flexion angles; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human joint including bones and ligaments under anatomical tension to connect the bones. The method includes: defining a primary datum oriented and fixed in six degrees of freedom; defining at least one secondary datum having fixed origins relative to one of the bones of the joint and relative to a tracking device affixed to the bone; providing an electronic receiving device; associating continuous position and orientation of the at least one secondary datums with respect to the primary datum; while moving the joint, using the electronic receiving device to collect data from the at least one tracking device, wherein the data includes information describing the position and movement in six degrees of freedom of the at least one secondary datum to produce a digital geometric model of at least a portion of the joint; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint, the method including: inserting into the knee joint a gap balancer that includes a tibial interface surface, an opposed femoral interface surface, and at least one force sensor, the method including: providing an electronic receiving device; moving the knee joint through at least a portion of its range of motion; while moving the knee joint, using the electronic receiving device to collect data from the at least one force sensor; processing the collected data to produce a digital geometric model of at least a portion of the knee joint; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint, the method including: inserting into the knee joint a gap balancer that includes a tibial interface surface, an opposed femoral interface surface, and at least one force sensor, the method including: providing an electronic receiving device; moving the knee joint through at least a portion of its range of motion; while moving the knee joint, using the electronic receiving device to collect data from the at least one force sensor; processing the collected data to produce a digital geometric model of at least a portion of the knee joint; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.

Abstract: A method for imparting tension across a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: providing a tensioning device, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the tensioning device between retracted and extended positions, wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis; positioning the tensioning device between the femur and the tibia; applying an actuating force to the linkage to move the tensioning device towards the extended position, so as to impart a controlled separating force driving the femur and tibia apart to extend the ligaments.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a human knee joint, includes: cutting away a proximal portion of the tibia; inserting the gap tensioner between the tibia and the femur; extending the gap tensioner urging the tibia and the femur apart and applying tension to the medial and lateral collateral ligaments; associating at least two tracking markers with the knee joint; providing an electronic receiving device operable to determine a position and orientation of each of the tracking markers relative to the electronic receiving device; moving the knee joint through at least a portion of its range of motion; while moving the knee joint, using the electronic receiving device to collect position data from the tracking markers; processing the collected position data to produce a geometric model of at least a portion of the knee joint; and computing one or more tool paths passing through the knee joint.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a gap tensioner including: a baseplate; a top plate; a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the gap tensioner between retracted and extended positions; and wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A method for imparting tension across a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: providing a tensioning device, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the tensioning device between retracted and extended positions, wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis; positioning the tensioning device between the femur and the tibia; applying an actuating force to the linkage to move the tensioning device towards the extended position, so as to impart a controlled separating force driving the femur and tibia apart to extend the ligaments.

Abstract: A knee gap tensioning apparatus includes: a gap tensioner including: a baseplate; a top plate; a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the gap tensioner between retracted and extended positions; and wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A method for imparting tension across a human knee joint which includes a femur bone, a tibia bone, a patella bone, a patellar tendon, and ligaments, wherein the ligaments and patellar tendon are under anatomical tension to connect the femur and tibia together, creating a load-bearing articulating joint. The method includes: providing a tensioning device, including: a baseplate; a top plate; and a linkage interconnecting the baseplate and the top plate and operable to move the tensioning device between retracted and extended positions, wherein the top plate is pivotally connected to the linkage so as to be able to freely pivot about a pivot axis; positioning the tensioning device between the femur and the tibia; applying an actuating force to the linkage to move the tensioning device towards the extended position, so as to impart a controlled separating force driving the femur and tibia apart to extend the ligaments.