Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping system for a press brake, the clamping system comprising an elongate beam comprising a receiving space for receiving a part of a bending tool, a clamping element, the clamping element being movable between a first position, in which it may engage on the bending tool for clamping it in the receiving space, and a second position for releasing the bending tool. The clamping system further comprises a pressure chamber fillable with a fluid, and an actuating member for driving the engaging element in accordance with a pressure of the fluid in the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber or a cavity housing the pressure chamber is integrally formed in the elongate beam. The invention also relates to a press brake comprising such a clamping system.

Abstract: A clamping system for a press brake includes an elongate beam having a receiving space for receiving a part of a bending tool. The elongate beam has at least two cavities formed therein, where each of the at least two cavities has an opening to the exterior of the elongate beam. The at least two cavities are interconnected internally. A press brake includes such a clamping system. A method of manufacturing an elongate beam for such a clamping system includes a step of providing a fluid connection to each of at least two cavities in the elongate beam by interconnecting the at least two cavities by machine from inside at least one of the at least two cavities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping system for a press brake, the clamping system comprising an elongate beam comprising a receiving space for receiving a part of a bending tool, a clamping element, the clamping element being movable between a first position, in which it may engage on the bending tool for clamping it in the receiving space, and a second position for releasing the bending tool, and an actuating member for displacing the clamping element, the actuating member being movable between an active position, in which it urges the clamping element towards the first position, and an inactive position in which it allows the clamping element to move to the second position. The clamping system is characterized by a first biasing member acting on the actuating member for biasing the actuating member towards its inactive position. The invention also relates to a press brake comprising such a clamping system.

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure related to a pelvis of a patient comprises adjusting a length between ends of a digitizer device to a distance between opposite landmarks of the pelvis of the patient. The ends of the digitizer device are applied against the opposite landmarks of the pelvis. An inertial sensor unit of the digitizer device is initialized to set an orientation of the digitizer device relative to a medio-lateral axis of the patient, the medio-lateral axis of the patient being part of a pelvic coordinate system. A tool is navigated within the pelvic coordinate system during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for shaping a material, in particular for bending plate material, comprising a mounting part configured to be in any case partially received in a receiving space of an apparatus, and a shaping part extending from the mounting part. The tool is provided with means for displacing the mounting part in longitudinal direction through the receiving space. The tool can thus be handled and positioned easily even when it is relatively heavy. The displacing means can comprise one or more displacing members protruding from the tool, for instance rollers or wheels. The invention also relates to a combination of an apparatus and such a tool, wherein the apparatus has a receiving space in which the mounting part of the tool is received. The receiving space here comprises a wall part on which the displacing means engage. Finally, the invention further relates to a method for positioning a tool as described above in an apparatus.

Abstract: A method for assisting in positioning the acetabular cup comprises orienting a cup positioning instrument with a cup thereon in an initial reference orientation relative to an acetabulum of a pelvis with the cup forming a joint with the acetabulum, the cup positioning instrument comprising an inertial sensor unit with pre-planned orientation data for a desired cup orientation based on at least one landmark of the pelvis, The cup positioning instrument is rotated to a desired abduction angle as guided by an interface of the cup positioning instrument, based on movements relative to at least one landmark. The cup positioning instrument is rotated to a desired anteversion angle as guided by the interface of the cup positioning instrument, based on movements relative to the at least one landmark. Upon reaching the desired cup orientation as indicated by the interface, the cup is impacted into the acetabulum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for shaping a material, in particular for bending plate material, comprising a mounting part configured to be in any case partially received in a receiving space of an apparatus, and a shaping part extending from the mounting part. The tool is provided with means for displacing the mounting part in longitudinal direction through the receiving space. The tool can thus be handled and positioned easily even when it is relatively heavy. The displacing means can comprise one or more displacing members protruding from the tool, for instance rollers or wheels. The invention also relates to a combination of an apparatus and such a tool, wherein the apparatus has a receiving space in which the mounting part of the tool is received. The receiving space here comprises a wall part on which the displacing means engage. Finally, the invention further relates to a method for positioning a tool as described above in an apparatus.

Abstract: A method for assisting in positioning the acetabular cup comprises orienting a cup positioning instrument with a cup thereon in an initial reference orientation relative to an acetabulum of a pelvis with the cup forming a joint with the acetabulum, the cup positioning instrument comprising an inertial sensor unit with pre-planned orientation data for a desired cup orientation based on at least one landmark of the pelvis, The cup positioning instrument is rotated to a desired abduction angle as guided by an interface of the cup positioning instrument, based on movements relative to at least one landmark. The cup positioning instrument is rotated to a desired anteversion angle as guided by the interface of the cup positioning instrument, based on movements relative to the at least one landmark. Upon reaching the desired cup orientation as indicated by the interface, the cup is impacted into the acetabulum.

Abstract: A digitizer device comprises an elongated body and legs connected to the elongated body. At least one joint is between the legs and the elongated body such that free ends of the legs are displaceable relative to one another. An inertial sensor unit is connected to the elongated body, the inertial sensor unit having a preset orientation aligned with the elongated body. A table reference device comprises a body adapted to be fixed to an operating table. An inertial sensor unit is with a preset orientation related to the operating table.

Abstract: A registration pointer for registering points of surfaces of bodily elements in computer-assisted surgery, comprising a handle for being manipulated by a pointer operator. A stem is connected to the handle and has a first and a second tip configurations each having a respective use relating to a registration of points on specified bodily elements. A detectable device is secured to the stem, and is adapted to be tracked in space for position and orientation by a sensing apparatus. A position of the tip configurations with respect to the detectable device is determinable such that a position of the tip configurations is calculable as a function of the position and orientation of the detectable device. The tip configurations are chosen to register points on given bodily elements as a function of the respective use, by recording a position of points of contact between the tip configurations and the given bodily element.

Abstract: A device for digitizing a center of rotation of a hip joint implant component with respect to a bone element in computer-assisted surgery. The device comprises a detectable member trackable for position and orientation by a computer-assisted surgery system. A body is connected to the detectable member in a known geometry. The body has a coupling portion adapted to be coupled to the hip joint implant component in a predetermined configuration. The center of rotation of the hip joint implant component is calculable in the predetermined configuration as a function of the known geometry and of the position and orientation of the detectable member.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a circular portion of an object, such as to determine the center point thereof, is provided. The method comprising determining spatial coordinates of at least two points on a circumferential edge of the circular portion of the object, and calculating the center point of the circular portion using the spatial coordinates of the two points and a geometric parameter representative of the diameter of the circular portion. A calibration device and system are also provided for use with a computer tracking system in order to calibrate such an object having a circular portion.

Abstract: A hip resurfacing CAS system for guiding an operator in altering a femoral head in computer-assisted surgery for subsequent implanting of a femoral head implant, comprises a trackable reference on the femur. A registration tool is trackable. A bone-altering tool is associated with a resurfacing of the femoral head. A tracking apparatus tracks the tools. A resurfacing processing unit is connected to the tracking apparatus so as to receive tracking data for the tools. The resurfacing processing unit has a position/orientation calculator to calculate from the tracking data a position and orientation of the trackable reference to track the femoral frame of reference, and of the registration tool and the bone-altering tool. A model generator receives position and orientation data of the registration tool to produce a model of the femoral head and neck with respect to the femoral frame of reference.

Abstract: An interface apparatus (20) for tracking by a tracking system (40) of an object(s) in space for position and orientation and for interacting with the tracking system (40). The interface apparatus (20) comprises passive detectable devices (12,14,16,22) trackable for position by the tracking system (40). A mounting device (10,24) receives the passive detectable devices (12,14,16,22) in a known geometry, and is secured to the object(s) such that a position and orientation of the object(s) is calculable by the tracking system (40) as a function of a tracking of the known geometry of the passive detectable devices (12,14,16,22). One of the passive detectable devices (22) is displaceable with respect to the object(s). A displacement of the passive detectable device (22) with respect to the object(s) is detectable to initiate an interaction with the tracking system (40) while maintaining the tracking of the object(s).

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding an operator in altering a pelvis. A sensing apparatus is provided for tracking a reference tool and a bone altering tool. A position calculator calculates a position and orientation of a pelvic frame of reference as a function of the tracking of the reference tool, and for calculating a position and orientation of the bone altering tool with respect to the frame of reference. A source of posture data and a posture data correction calculator are provided and are operative to provide a display of information allowing an operator to take into consideration the posture data from the source of posture data when altering the pelvis. A display unit is connected to the position calculator and to the posture data correction calculator for displaying the display of information and the bone altering tool with respect to the pelvic frame of reference.

Abstract: A surgical bone reference assembly for communication with a CAS system, comprises a bone anchor fastenable to a bone element, an adjustable support and a trackable member that is located and tracked in three dimensional space by the CAS system. The support is removably fastenable to the bone anchor member and permits variable positioning relative to the bone anchor member. The support is intra-operatively detachable from and re-fastenable to the bone anchor member. A method of using a CT-free CAS system for determining a change in position of an un-tracked target limb is also provided. The method comprises engaging the trackable bone reference member to another bone element, locating and digitizing a landmark on the target limb, digitizing the landmark again following joint reduction, and determining at least one of a post-joint reduction limb length discrepancy and a target limb medio-lateral offset.

Abstract: A surgical bone reference assembly is communicable with an image guided surgical system such that position and movement of a bone element are monitorable. A bone anchor member comprises a trackable member and teeth engageable with the bone element. The trackable member comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the trackable member. A protective guide member is used with the bone anchor member such that the bone anchor member is insertable through soft tissue covering the bone element without causing significant damage thereto. The bone anchor member is engageable with the bone element, such that the teeth are forced into engagement with the bone element and the bone anchor member is fastenable to the bone element in a fixed relation thereto.

Abstract: There is described a method for determining a mechanical axis of a femur using a computer aided surgery system having an output device for displaying said mechanical axis, the method comprising: providing a position sensing system having a tracking device capable of registering instantaneous position readings and attaching the tracking device to the femur; locating a center of a femoral head of the femur by moving a proximal end of the femur to a first static position, acquiring a fixed reading of the first static position, repeating the moving and the acquiring for a plurality of static positions; and locating the centre by determining a central point of a pattern formed by the plurality of static positions; digitizing an entrance point of the mechanical axis at a substantially central position of the proximal end of the femur; and joining a line between the entrance point and the center of rotation to form the mechanical axis.

Abstract: A registration pointer for registering points of surfaces of bodily elements in computer-assisted surgery, comprising a handle for being manipulated by a pointer operator. A stem is connected to the handle and has a first and a second tip configurations each having a respective use relating to a registration of points on specified bodily elements. A detectable device is secured to the stem, and is adapted to be tracked in space for position and orientation by a sensing apparatus. A position of the tip configurations with respect to the detectable device is determinable such that a position of the tip configurations is calculable as a function of the position and orientation of the detectable device. The tip configurations are chosen to register points on given bodily elements as a function of the respective use, by recording a position of points of contact between the tip configurations and the given bodily element.

Abstract: A surgical bone reference assembly is communicable with an image guided surgical system such that position and movement of a bone element are monitorable. A bone anchor member comprises a trackable member and teeth engageable with the bone element. The trackable member comprises a detectable element adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space by the image guided surgical system, thereby defining position and movement of the trackable member. A protective guide member is used with the bone anchor member such that the bone anchor member is insertable through soft tissue covering the bone element without causing significant damage thereto. The bone anchor member is engageable with the bone element, such that the teeth are forced into engagement with the bone element and the bone anchor member is fastenable to the bone element in a fixed relation thereto.