Abstract: A method to guide in preparation of a bone relies on an instrument having a shaft with a working end and a stop member. The shaft is free to translate along an axis. Surgical planning data is registered to the bone to determine intra-operative coordinates of the desired axis and depth. The instrument holder is positioned by the bone so the stop member contacts the instrument holder to prevent translating beyond the desired depth. Alternatively, an arm is manipulated to align the instrument with the desired axis. The working end rests on the bone to define a linear separation to the desired depth. By proximally translating the instrument holder to contact the stop member and distally translating the instrument holder along the shaft, the stop member physically stops translating beyond the desired depth. A surgical system for performing the methods is provided; a reamer or impactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to guide in preparation of a bone relies on an instrument having a shaft with a working end and a stop member. The shaft is free to translate along an axis. Surgical planning data is registered to the bone to determine intra-operative coordinates of the desired axis and depth. The instrument holder is positioned by the bone so the stop member contacts the instrument holder to prevent translating beyond the desired depth. Alternatively, an arm is manipulated to align the instrument with the desired axis. The working end rests on the bone to define a linear separation to the desired depth. By proximally translating the instrument holder to contact the stop member and distally translating the instrument holder along the shaft, the stop member physically stops translating beyond the desired depth. A surgical system for performing the methods is provided; a reamer or impactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to guide in preparation of a bone relies on an instrument having a shaft with a working end and a stop member. The shaft is free to translate along an axis. Surgical planning data is registered to the bone to determine intra-operative coordinates of the desired axis and depth. The instrument holder is positioned by the bone so the stop member contacts the instrument holder to prevent translating beyond the desired depth. Alternatively, an arm is manipulated to align the instrument with the desired axis. The working end rests on the bone to define a linear separation to the desired depth. By proximally translating the instrument holder to contact the stop member and distally translating the instrument holder along the shaft, the stop member physically stops translating beyond the desired depth. A surgical system for performing the methods is provided; a reamer or impactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to guide in preparation of a bone relies on an instrument having a shaft with a working end and a stop member. The shaft is free to translate along an axis. Surgical planning data is registered to the bone to determine intra-operative coordinates of the desired axis and depth. The instrument holder is positioned by the bone so the stop member contacts the instrument holder to prevent translating beyond the desired depth. Alternatively, an arm is manipulated to align the instrument with the desired axis. The working end rests on the bone to define a linear separation to the desired depth. By proximally translating the instrument holder to contact the stop member and distally translating the instrument holder along the shaft, the stop member physically stops translating beyond the desired depth. A surgical system for performing the methods is provided; a reamer or impactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of bone at one or more bone regions during an orthopedic surgical procedure includes an initial audio sample being recorded with an acoustic sensor, while a cutting instrument cuts a first region of a bone. The first audio sample is stored as a reference sample that represents a good degree of bone quality. A second audio sample is recorded with the acoustic sensor, while the cutting instrument cuts a second region of the bone. The second audio sample is compared to the reference sample to analyze the bone quality at the second region of the bone. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator system is provided that includes a shape memory actuator having a body made of a shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body in physical contact with the first portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. A controller is provided for controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the proviso that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. A novel shape memory article results. A method for controlling a shape memory actuator and forming a shape memory article are also provided.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided that includes a pair of cutting blades joined at a pivot point. The cutting blades are driven by an actuator to cause the cutting blades to pivot about the pivot point. The cutting device is configured to remove material underneath a surface of an implant installed on a bone during a revision arthroplasty procedure. The cutting device may travel along a length of the bone just underneath the surface of the implant to remove material and free the implant from the bone. A method for removing material underneath a surface of an implant installed on the bone is also provided. A system for removing material underneath the surface of an implant installed on the bone with the cutting device is also provided.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided that includes an expandable tube having a base and a hollow interior for receiving the implant therein. The expandable tube includes cutting segments extending from the base and terminating to form a distal end of the expandable tube. At least one of the cutting segments has a cutting end with cutting teeth at the distal end of the expandable tube. Spring shaped sections are provided that extend the cutting segments. A method for removing an implant from a target bone is also provided based on the cutting device. A system for removing material directly surrounding an outer surface of an implant in an intramedullary canal of a target bone is also provided based on the cutting device and a sheath. A retractable opening is formed of leaflets at a distal end of the sheath, and a proximal end opposite the distal end.

Abstract: A method to guide in preparation of a bone relies on an instrument having a shaft with a working end and a stop member. The shaft is free to translate along an axis. Surgical planning data is registered to the bone to determine intra-operative coordinates of the desired axis and depth. The instrument holder is positioned by the bone so the stop member contacts the instrument holder to prevent translating beyond the desired depth. Alternatively, an arm is manipulated to align the instrument with the desired axis. The working end rests on the bone to define a linear separation to the desired depth. By proximally translating the instrument holder to contact the stop member and distally translating the instrument holder along the shaft, the stop member physically stops translating beyond the desired depth. A surgical system for performing the methods is provided; a reamer or impactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided that includes an expandable tube having a base and a hollow interior for receiving the implant therein. The expandable tube includes cutting segments extending from the base and terminating to form a distal end of the expandable tube. At least one of the cutting segments has a cutting end with cutting teeth at the distal end of the expandable tube. Spring shaped sections are provided that extend the cutting segments. A method for removing an implant from a target bone is also provided based on the cutting device. A system for removing material directly surrounding an outer surface of an implant in an intramedullary canal of a target bone is also provided based on the cutting device and a sheath. A retractable opening is formed of leaflets at a distal end of the sheath, and a proximal end opposite the distal end.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator system and control methods thereof are provided that include a shape memory actuator having a body made of shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. One or more controllers are provided for pulse controlling or regionally controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body or regions of the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the provision that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. Structures of shape memory actuators and methods of control are also provided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the quality of bone at one or more bone regions during an orthopedic surgical procedure includes an initial audio sample being recorded with an acoustic sensor, while a cutting instrument cuts a first region of a bone. The first audio sample is stored as a reference sample that represents a good degree of bone quality. A second audio sample is recorded with the acoustic sensor, while the cutting instrument cuts a second region of the bone. The second audio sample is compared to the reference sample to analyze the bone quality at the second region of the bone. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A contactless, and accurate device and methods of use thereof are provided to calibrate and verify the calibration of a robotic arm and associated attachments. The device uses a laser gauge for calibrating and subsequently verifying the calibration of the robotic arm, digitizer, or robotic tools. An optical transmitter, in communication with an optical receiver is fixed nearly perpendicular to a second optical transmitter in communication with a second optical receiver that form two optical micrometers that are offset a small distance, forming a small gap, d, to create a measuring void having two distinct non-intersecting measurement planes. One measurement plane measures the position and size of an object in a first axis direction and the other measurement plane measures the position and size of an object in a second axis direction. The position and size of an object is measured within the measuring void in both axial directions.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator system and control methods thereof are provided that include a shape memory actuator having a body made of shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. One or more controllers are provided for pulse controlling or regionally controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body or regions of the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the provision that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. Structures of shape memory actuators and methods of control are also provided.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator system is provided that includes a shape memory actuator having a body made of a shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body in physical contact with the first portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. A controller is provided for controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the proviso that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. A novel shape memory article results. A method for controlling a shape memory actuator and forming a shape memory article are also provided.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator system is provided that includes a shape memory actuator having a body made of a shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body in physical contact with the first portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. A controller is provided for controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the proviso that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. A novel shape memory article results. A method for controlling a shape memory actuator and forming a shape memory article are also provided.

Abstract: A contactless, and accurate device and methods of use thereof are provided to calibrate and verify the calibration of a robotic arm and associated attachments. The device uses a laser gauge for calibrating and subsequently verifying the calibration of the robotic arm, digitizer, or robotic tools. An optical transmitter, in communication with an optical receiver is fixed nearly perpendicular to a second optical transmitter in communication with a second optical receiver that form two optical micrometers that are offset a small distance, forming a small gap, d, to create a measuring void having two distinct non-intersecting measurement planes. One measurement plane measures the position and size of an object in a first axis direction and the other measurement plane measures the position and size of an object in a second axis direction. The position and size of an object is measured within the measuring void in both axial directions.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator system is provided that includes a shape memory actuator having a body made of a shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body in physical contact with the first portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. A controller is provided for controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the proviso that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. A novel shape memory article results. A method for controlling a shape memory actuator and forming a shape memory article are also provided.