Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implant (10) comprising an implant body (12) comprising a polymer material. The implant body has a bone-facing interface (14) and an articulating interface (16). A stiffening layer (18) is provided over at least a portion of the bone-facing interface. The stiffening layer is porous and is formed of a material having a higher stiffness than the polymer material of the underlying bone-facing interface.

Abstract: A method for assessing the orthopaedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopaedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a femoral component (1) of a knee replacement assembly. The knee replacement assembly is arranged to articulate about an articulation axis (X). The femoral component comprises an outer surface (100), wherein the outer surface is arranged to define a replacement condyle; and an inner surface (200), opposed to the outer surface, wherein the inner surface is adapted for attachment to a prepared distal femur. The inner surface comprises portions (210, 220, 230, 240) provided with mutually-parallel ridges (201) and grooves (202). The ridges and grooves are arranged to provide an increased or reduced stiffness of the femoral component when cantilevered about the articulation axis compared with a stiffness of the femoral component when cantilevered about a transverse axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a femoral component (1) of a knee replacement assembly. The knee replacement assembly is arranged to articulate about an articulation axis (X). The femoral component comprises an outer surface (100), wherein the outer surface is arranged to define a replacement condyle; and an inner surface (200), opposed to the outer surface, wherein the inner surface is adapted for attachment to a prepared distal femur. The inner surface comprises portions (210, 220, 230, 240) provided with mutually-parallel ridges (201) and grooves (202). The ridges and grooves are arranged to provide an increased or reduced stiffness of the femoral component when cantilevered about the articulation axis compared with a stiffness of the femoral component when cantilevered about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A method for assessing the orthopaedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopaedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

Abstract: A method for assessing the orthopaedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopaedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

Abstract: A method for assessing the orthopaedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopaedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system includes a tool (2) including an elongate shaft which defines the tool axis. The shaft bears a plurality of marker rings (10, 11, 12) arranged in a predetermined pattern on the surface of the shaft so that they extend around the shaft axis. The system includes at least two receiving devices (14) which are spaced apart for receiving stereoscopic signals from the rings on the tool, and a data processor (16) for analyzing the signal from the rings and generating information relating to the position and orientation of the tool relative to the receiving device.

Abstract: A method for assessing the orthopedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

Abstract: A method for assessing the orthopaedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopaedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

Abstract: A computer aided surgery system, method, surgical method and instrument for guiding the positioning of an acetabular cup in a pelvis are described. The position of the transverse acetabular ligament of the pelvis and the position of the acetabular labrum of the pelvis are determined. The orientation of an acetabular plane including the acetabular labrum and the transverse acetabular ligament is calculated. A planned position for the acetabular cup is determined, in which an inlet plane of the cup is substantially parallel to the acetabular plane. The instrument comprises a mounting for attaching the instrument to a patient, a support, a guide defining a longitudinal axis, and for receiving a further instrument bearing the acetabular cup implant, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism can allow the angular orientation of the guide to be adjusted about at least two different axes to allow the inclination and version or anteversion of the longitudinal axis to be altered.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system includes a tool (2) including an elongate shaft which defines the tool axis. The shaft bears a plurality of marker rings (10, 11, 12) arranged in a predetermined pattern on the surface of the shaft so that they extend around the shaft axis. The system includes at least two receiving devices (14) which are spaced apart for receiving stereoscopic signals from the rings on the tool, and a data processor (16) for analysing the signal from the rings and generating information relating to the position and orientation of the tool relative to the receiving device.

Abstract: An implantable marker, instruments for implanting the marker and method for implanting the marker are described. The implantable marker comprises a housing with an outer surface providing a bone anchor and having a cavity within which a marker detectable by a tracking system is secured. The kit includes a guide instrument having a guide channel for receiving an implantable marker, an insertion tool receivable within the channel and having a distal end for releasably engaging an implantable marker, and an implantable marker receivable within the channel. The insertion tool is operable to drive the implantable marker into the bone. The method includes puncturing the skin with an instrument, driving the implantable marker into the bone and withdrawing the instrument, leaving the marker implanted within the bone.

Abstract: Methods, systems and data processing apparatus and methods are described for use in planning and carrying out a surgical procedure on a joint of a subject. The joint includes a first component and a second component, the first and second components being relatively movable. Joint data describing the configuration of the joint is captured while the joint is in a functional state wherein the joint is undergoing its usual load bearing functional behaviour. The joint data is analyzed to determine joint component orientation data specifying the relative orientation of the first and second components. The orientation of prosthetic implants to be used in the surgical procedure to recreate the joint is planned using the joint component orientation data. The planned orientation of the prosthetic implants improves the recreation of the functional state of the joint.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting a sensor in a body part, in which the sensor has at least one cord extending therefrom which is connected to an external device, includes a guide sheath for defining a path to the surface of the body part through overlaying soft tissue, the sheath having a bore extending along its length between first and second open ends through which the tool can pass and a slot that extends along its length between its first and second open ends. A delivery sheath for implanting the sensor in the hole has a bore extending along its length between a first open end at which the sensor can be mounted and a second end, with the cord extending from the sensor along the bore, in which the sheath has a slot that extends along its length between its first and second end, and wherein the delivery sheath can be received within the guide sheath by sliding the delivery sheath within the bore of the guide sheath.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for monitoring and assessing the orthopaedic performance of a patient are described. The method can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site. A procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to assess the orthopaedic performance of the patient. An orthopaedic monitoring system comprises a monitoring station including a tracking system for RF wirelessly detecting the positions of markers within a working volume of the monitoring station. A computer control system is configured to determine a marker position for each of a plurality of markers implanted in a patient located in the working volume. The computer control system also generates an indication of the orthopaedic performance of the patient from the marker positions.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for generating a registered image of a body part of a patient for use in an image guided surgical procedure is described. The method includes attaching a marker detectable by a tracking system to the body part before carrying out surgical steps. The tracking system has a reference frame and the position of the marker in the reference frame is detected. A first image of the body part is captured using an imaging system. An indication of the position of the first image relative to the reference frame of the tracking system is obtained. The first image is then mapped into registration with the position of the body part. The system includes an imaging system for capturing images of the body part. A tracking system detects a marker and determines the position of the marker in the reference frame of the tracking system. A marker is attachable to the body part and detectable by the tracking system.

Abstract: Orthopaedic operating systems, operating rooms, computer aided surgical methods, trackable implants, instruments and surgical planning and IGS software applications are described. The integrated surgical system is for use in an orthopaedic operating room to enable a surgeon to carry out a computer aided surgical procedure on a subject. A subject support, wireless magnetic tracking system, registration system, at least a first display device, a control system and a surgeon interface operable by the surgeon to control operation of the plurality of parts of the integrated surgical system are provided.

Abstract: A computer aided surgery system, method, surgical method and instrument for guiding the positioning of an acetabular cup in a pelvis are described. The position of the transverse acetabular ligament of the pelvis and the position of the acetabular labrum of the pelvis are determined. The orientation of an acetabular plane including the acetabular labrum and the transverse acetabular ligament is calculated. A planned position for the acetabular cup is determined, in which an inlet plane of the cup is substantially parallel to the acetabular plane. The instrument comprises a mounting for attaching the instrument to a patient, a support, a guide defining a longitudinal axis, and for receiving a further instrument bearing the acetabular cup implant, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism can allow the angular orientation of the guide to be adjusted about at least two different axes to allow the inclination and version or anteversion of the longitudinal axis to be altered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a pelvis of a subject in a lateral position are described. The method includes the position of at least a first point and a second point in a first plane parallel to a first cardinal plane of the pelvis. Then the position of at least a third point and a fourth point in a second plane parallel to a second cardinal plane of the pelvis are determined, in which the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane. Then the position of a third cardinal plane of the pelvis is determined, in which the third cardinal plane is perpendicular to the first cardinal plane and second cardinal plane. The apparatus includes a computer aided surgery system and an instrument trackable by a tracking part of the system.