Abstract: A robot-aided knee arthroplasty system includes a robotic device and a controller communicable with the robotic device. The controller is configured to control the robotic device to apply a force configured to increase a gap distance between a femur and a tibia of a knee joint and collect measurements of the gap distance between the femur and the tibia as the robotic device applies the force.

Abstract: A robotic surgery method for cutting a bone of a patient includes characterizing the geometry and positioning of the bone and manually moving a handheld manipulator, the handheld manipulator operatively coupled to a bone cutting tool having an end effector portion, to cut a portion of the bone with the end effector portion. The handheld manipulator further comprises a manipulator housing and an actuator assembly movably coupled between the manipulator housing and the bone cutting tool. The method further includes causing the actuator assembly to automatically move relative to the manipulator housing to maintain the end effector portion of the tool within a desired bone cutting envelope in response to movement of the manipulator housing relative to the bone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gear shifters to reverse an output shaft rotation and a method for using the same. A gear shifter in accordance with the present invention may include a housing, an input shaft, an output shaft and an idler shaft. The input shaft may have input gears, the output shaft may have output gears and the idler shaft may have idler gears. The output shaft may be slidably coupled with the input shaft and the idler shaft to rotate in a first direction in a first position and in a second opposite direction in a second position. A method of reversing an output shaft direction using a gear shifter may include the steps of pushing the gear shifter in a first direction to rotate the output shaft in a first direction and pushing the gear shifter in a second direction to rotate the output shaft in a second direction.

Abstract: A robotic surgery method for cutting a bone of a patient includes characterizing the geometry and positioning of the bone and manually moving a handheld manipulator, the handheld manipulator operatively coupled to a bone cutting tool having an end effector portion, to cut a portion of the bone with the end effector portion. The handheld manipulator further comprises a manipulator housing and an actuator assembly movably coupled between the manipulator housing and the bone cutting tool. The method further includes causing the actuator assembly to automatically move relative to the manipulator housing to maintain the end effector portion of the tool within a desired bone cutting envelope in response to movement of the manipulator housing relative to the bone.

Abstract: A memory device stores instructions, which, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform tasks. The tasks include obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) model of a patient's pelvis, identifying two landmarks of the 3D model of the patient's pelvis, defining a coronal radiographic plane of the patient, and determining a mediolateral axis of the 3D axis based on the two landmarks. The tasks also include planning the surgical placement of the acetabular cup into the acetabulum by positioning a virtual model of the acetabular cup relative to the 3D model and determining a planned version and a planned inclination based on the virtual model of the acetabular cup, the mediolateral axis and the coronal radiographic plane.

Abstract: A system for cutting a bone of a patient may include a motor; a rotating shaft drivingly coupled to the motor; a support tube positioned around the rotating shaft and supporting the rotating shaft at a plurality of locations; a plurality of steering wires coupled to the support tube; and a bone cutter at a distal end of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gear shifters to reverse an output shaft rotation and a method for using the same. A gear shifter in accordance with the present invention may include a housing, an input shaft, an output shaft and an idler shaft. The input shaft may have input gears, the output shaft may have output gears and the idler shaft may have idler gears. The output shaft may be slidably coupled with the input shaft and the idler shaft to rotate in a first direction in a first position and in a second opposite direction in a second position. A method of reversing an output shaft direction using a gear shifter may include the steps of pushing the gear shifter in a first direction to rotate the output shaft in a first direction and pushing the gear shifter in a second direction to rotate the output shaft in a second direction.

Abstract: A robotic surgery method includes tracking a position of a surgical tool as it is manually manipulated to perform a procedure. The tool is coupled to a handheld manipulator assembly, and the handheld manipulator assembly includes a handheld portion configured to be manually supported and moved by a user and a tool drive assembly supported by the handheld portion. The manipulator assembly further includes a plurality of elongate structural members coupled between the tool drive assembly and the handheld portion, at least one pivotal link arranged between the tool drive assembly and the plurality of elongate structural members, a plurality of lead screws and actuators supported by the handheld portion, and a controller in communication with the plurality of actuators. The method further includes selectively operating the actuators to move the tool drive assembly relative to the handheld portion based on the tracked position of the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for determining inclination and version of a prosthetic acetabular cup relative to a coronal radiographic plane is provided. The system and method include the identification of a coronal radiographic plane in a three dimensional medical image. The system and method further include the identification of two symmetric landmarks on the pelvis to determine a mediolateral axis. The version and inclination can then be calculated based on the relationship between the axis of the acetabular cup, the coronal radiographic plan, and the mediolateral axis.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a surgical device is provided. The method includes acquiring first data including a position and/or an orientation of a first object disposed on the surgical device at a first location; acquiring second data including a position and/or an orientation of a second object disposed on the surgical device at a second location; determining third data including a position and/or an orientation of the first object relative to the second location; and determining a position and/or an orientation of the second object relative to the second location based at least in part on the first data, the second data, and the third data.

Abstract: A system for conducting a medical procedure includes a first camera-based 3-D motion sensor configured to generate signals related to the position of a procedure object in the operating room and a controller coupled to the camera-based 3-D motion sensor. The controller is configured to define a predetermined operational plan including positions of a procedure object over time, assign a desired time milestone for each position of the object in the predetermined operational plan, and automatically monitor progress of the procedure based at least in part upon one or more positions of the procedure object over time. The controller is further configured to compare the one or more positions with the desired time milestone, record data relating to an actual time for each position of the object compared with the desired time milestone, and use the data to provide a recommendation for a change to a future predetermined operational plan.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing haptic guidance during manipulation of an end-effector includes a robotic arm. The robotic arm has at least one actuated joint, at least one other joint connected to the at least one actuated joint, and a physical constraint movable by actuation of the at least one actuated joint. The physical constraint limits the motion of the at least one other joint in at least one direction. The apparatus further includes an end-effector configured to be manipulated by an application of external forces and connected to the at least one other joint.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a surgical plan comprising a plurality of stages, determining, for each stage, a corresponding position of a first holder of a motorized joint positioner, selecting a selected stage of the plurality of stages of the surgical plan, and moving, by a computer programmed to control the motorized joint positioner, the first holder to the corresponding position of the first holder for the selected stage.

Abstract: A robot including an end-effector and a robot arm having a proximal link, a distal link, and a joint assembly for controlling the relative position of the two links. The joint assembly includes an actuated linkage joint including a pair of stops and a passive linkage joint including a mechanical positioner for the end-effector located between the stops. The pair of stops are configured to constrain movement of the mechanical positioner to thereby constrain the ability of a user to manipulate the end-effector outside a predetermined range of motion and permit movement of the end-effector within the predetermined range of motion. The drive mechanism is configured to control a location of at least one stop of the pair of stops based on a position of a virtual object in a virtual space. The joint assembly is one of a prismatic joint assembly and a revolute joint assembly.

Abstract: End effectors for driving tools at surgical sites along trajectories maintained by surgical robots. A tool has interface and working ends. An end effector has a mount to attach to the surgical robot, and an actuator configured to generate torque. A drive assembly with a geartrain translates rotation from the actuator into rotation of a drive conduit supported about an axis. A rotational lock operatively attached to the drive conduit releasably secures the tool for concurrent rotation about the axis, and an axial lock releasably secures the tool for concurrent translation with the drive conduit along the trajectory maintained by the surgical robot. The axial lock is operable between a release configuration where relative movement between the drive assembly and the tool is permitted along the axis, and a lock configuration where relative movement between the drive assembly and the tool is restricted along the axis.

Abstract: A method for conducting a medical procedure in an operating room includes the steps of using a first camera-based 3-D motion sensor mounted in a known position and orientation relative to a global coordinate system of the operating room to generate signals related to the 3-D position of a procedure object in the operating room based upon an outer shape of the procedure object relative to the first camera-based 3-D motion sensor; and automatically monitoring progress of the medical procedure with a controller based at least in part upon one or more positions of the procedure object relative to time as compared with a predetermined operational plan for moving the procedure object over time, the one or more positions based at least in part upon the signals from the first camera-based 3-D motion sensor.

Abstract: A method for debriding an infected implant area using a robotic-assisted surgery system. The method includes determining, by a processing circuit associated with a computer, an area to be debrided, the debridement area including at least a surface of an implant or patient tissue, and generating, by the processing circuit, a plan for debriding the debridement area. The method further includes controlling a debridement tool, by the robotic-assisted surgery system, while the debridement tool is used to carry out the debridement plan, and monitoring the debridement by the processing circuit.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a surgical device is provided. The method includes acquiring first data including a position and/or an orientation of a first object disposed on the surgical device at a first location; acquiring second data including a position and/or an orientation of a second object disposed on the surgical device at a second location; determining third data including a position and/or an orientation of the first object relative to the second location; and determining a position and/or an orientation of the second object relative to the second location based at least in part on the first data, the second data, and the third data.

Abstract: A method for computer-assisted orthopedic feedback of at least one surgical tool relative a pre-operative plan, wherein the surgical tool is moveable relative to an anatomy of a patient during surgery, including providing the pre-operative plan including a planned position and orientation of an implant relative to a virtual model of the anatomy. Further including obtaining a position of the patient structure and at least one surgical tool using a navigation system, and registering the anatomy to the model of the anatomy. Further including tracking a current position and orientation of the at least one surgical tool and the anatomy of the patient using the navigation system, and providing feedback of the current position and orientation of the at least one surgical tool relative to the planned position and orientation of the implant based on the tracked current position and orientation of the at least one surgical tool.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical device, a surgical tool coupled to the surgical device, a user interface, and a control system. The control system is configured to identify a target point or target region of an anatomy of a patient, generate a virtual object based on the target point or target region, the virtual object comprising a funnel-shaped boundary having a central axis substantially aligned with the target point or target region, and control the surgical device to constrain the surgical tool from penetrating the funnel-shaped boundary.