Abstract: Systems and process are provided for a tool to create a registration matrix for a bone in three dimensional workspaces relative to a system using the absence of an ultrasonic reflection from an ultrasonic sensor attached to a tracking system to build the registration matrix model. The system has hardware and software that creates an absence of ultrasonic reflection, and utilizes the information to identify the location and orientation of a set of conic volumes in order to build an estimate of the position and orientation of the bone relative to the base system, and to use the position and orientation changes to update the registration and to detect bone motion. Embodiments of invention provide a process of registering part or all of a bone without directly touching the bone using ultrasound, and as a result support a non-invasive or less-invasive approach to bone registration and bone motion detection for a system.

Abstract: A process for creating a curved contour on or within a bone is provided, where the process includes positioning a bone of a patient in a fixed position in a coordinate system, generating scan data of the bone, creating a three-dimensional surface model of the bone based on the scan data, generating a cutting program to modify a surface of the bone based on the three-dimensional surface model and a prosthesis having a bone interface shape that is complementary to the curved contour, and modifying the bone with one or more curved blades or a curved drill bit that is robotically driven and positioned with the cutting program to form the curved contour. A system for creating a curved congruent contour on or within a bone for mounting a prosthesis is also described.

Abstract: A system is provided for subject movement compensation during a medical procedure. The system uses passive radiofrequency identification tags associated with a subject, and at least one active RFID reader is positioned to interrogate the position of at least three such passive radiofrequency identification tags so as to triangulate the geometric position of a subject body tissue. The reader generates an output signal corresponding to a distance between said reader and a tag. A microprocessor calculates a displacement of a tag relative to the reader from said output signal to yield a value corresponding to subject movement. A medical device operates in synchronicity with the calculation corresponding to subject movement to compensate for subject movement during a treatment process in essentially real time. A process for subject movement compensation during a medical procedure is also provided.

Abstract: A process and system for performing orthopaedic surgery to create a series of channels with a subject's bone to allow a reduced pressure system to be applied directly to the bone-implant interface to enhance bone healing is provided. The process for to promote healing of a bone of a subject includes creating a three-dimensional model of the bone; preoperatively planning a location of an implant relative to the model; creating a plan for the location of precision channels that reach the bone-implant interface based on the model and the implant; resurfacing the bone to fit the implant into or onto the bone based on the preoperative plan; and milling the precision channels into the bone in the location to promote healing of the bone and/or bone implant interface; and applying a pressure reduction system at the bone-implant interface to promote bone healing.

Abstract: A process and system for performing orthopaedic surgery to create a series of channels with a subject's bone to allow a reduced pressure system to be applied directly to the bone-implant interface to enhance bone healing is provided. The process for to promote healing of a bone of a subject includes creating a three-dimensional model of the bone; preoperatively planning a location of an implant relative to the model; creating a plan for the location of precision channels that reach the bone-implant interface based on the model and the implant; resurfacing the bone to fit the implant into or onto the bone based on the preoperative plan; and milling the precision channels into the bone in the location to promote healing of the bone and/or bone implant interface; and applying a pressure reduction system at the bone-implant interface to promote bone healing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an operative site during a surgical procedure using a computer controlled surgical device. In general the methods include the steps of processing one or more defined cutting paths having one or more cut regions; determining a correlation between the cut region and one or more critical regions to generate an alert, wherein the alert indicates a movable end-effector is within a defined proximity of the critical region; and requiring a user acknowledgment of the alert to allow processing of the cutting path to continue. Also described herein are systems and methods for minimizing user fatigue during a semi-computer controlled surgical procedure. In general the methods includes the step of requiring a user generated acknowledgment in response to a computer generated alert, wherein the user acknowledgment is generated using a user controller, the user controller being minimally intrusive to the user experience.

Abstract: A process and system for performing orthopaedic surgery with the use of computer systems and robotic assistance to remove bone, bone cement, and a bone prosthesis, typically a bone prosthesis used in hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, and the like. The process for replacing one or more bone prostheses using a robotic system includes receiving image data comprising an image of each bone, including at least one prosthesis implanted within each bone; creating three-dimensional models of the prosthesis, and the bone; creating a plan for positioning new prostheses within the bone; determining the location and amount of bone and any non-bone material to be removed for the new prostheses; and removing the bone prosthesis from the bone. The inventive process may be used for the replacement of hip joints, shoulder joints, ankle joints, wrist joints, finger joints, toe joints, or other joints.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for creating a custom registration guide. In general, the methods may include receiving scan data of a patient's bone; creating instructions based on the scan data for creating a three-dimensional surface model of the patient's bone; and moving a plurality of moveable elements, coupled to the adjustable model, based on the instructions. The method may further include the steps of placing a malleable registration guide onto the adjustable model and shaping the registration guide to fit to the adjustable model. The method may further include the step of intraoperatively determining the location of a patient's bone using the custom registration guide. The step of determining the location of the patient's bone may include the steps of coupling the registration guide and fiducial markers to the patient's bone.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided for monitoring compliance with an order for a patient specimen. Broadly, an inventive system incorporates a machine readable wireless identification and sensor technology to provide feedback to a caregiver regarding compliance with a specimen order. In particular, a system for monitoring compliance with an order for a specimen is provided which includes a specimen container having an attached machine readable wireless tag. The tag contains specimen container characteristic information. The tagged container aids in indicating to a user whether the correct specimen container type has been chosen. Further, a system is provided which includes a sensor useful in indicating whether a sufficient quantity of specimen has been obtained in order to perform the requested laboratory test as part of the patient's care.

Abstract: Patients with chronic illnesses resist using conventional automated healthcare management systems to supply necessary clinical data because such systems feel impersonal, preferring to actually visit a clinic where the patient interacts with various healthcare practitioners. In this invention, the patient interacts with a clinical management system via a series of initial GUI screens that replicate the experience of actually visiting the clinic. Additional screens allow the patient to submit clinical information, to communicate with that patient's healthcare practitioner and other healthcare practitioners, to access management information that aids the patient in managing that patient's chronic illness, and to access educational information regarding that chronic illness. The clinical management system may be used to manage a plurality of different chronic illnesses while providing a consistent look and feel to the screens.

Abstract: Patients with chronic illnesses resist using conventional automated healthcare management systems to supply necessary clinical data because such systems feel impersonal, preferring to actually visit a clinic where the patient interacts with various healthcare practitioners. In this invention, the patient interacts with a clinical management system via a series of initial GUI screens that replicate the experience of actually visiting the clinic. Additional screens allow the patient to submit clinical information, to communicate with that patient's healthcare practitioner and other healthcare practitioners, to access management information that aids the patient in managing that patient's chronic illness, and to access educational information regarding that chronic illness. The clinical management system may be used to manage a plurality of different chronic illnesses while providing a consistent look and feel to the screens.

Abstract: A system for verifying patient identity is detailed which allows hospital personnel to reduce error in patient care due to misidentification of a patient. Broadly, an inventive system for verifying patient identity includes a machine readable wireless identification tag containing identification information, the tag attached to an identification badge worn by a patient, a device having data input and output capacity, processing circuitry, memory circuitry and an executable program for analysis of data transmitted from the tag, and a machine wireless reader in data communication with the tag and the device. Also included is a signal display element for displaying a signal to a user, the signal display element disposed on the device or the reader. Further, an alert system is provided for alerting hospital personnel to presence of an object or person having a machine readable wireless tag not associated with a first patient in proximity to the first patient.

Abstract: A system operable for detecting the exposure of a person or persons to a plurality of different hazards. The system comprises at least one wearable personal module, a fixed communication center and wireless linking means operable for providing wireless communication between a personal module and the communication center and between a personal module and other personal modules comprising the system. The personal module is operable for detecting exposure of the wearer to a hazard and includes computer means operable for evaluating the threat level of the hazard to the wearer. The personal module further includes telemetry means operable for communicating the threat level to the fixed communication center and/or other personal modules. The personal module includes a plurality of detectors operable for detecting the exposure of the wearer to one or more chemical, physical, biological or radiological hazards under field conditions.

Abstract: A modular patient support system adapted to be quickly mounted to utility vehicles such as trucks, buses, vans or trailers, to permit emergency medical workers to rapidly transform standard utility vehicles into specialized ambulances. When not in use, the modular patient support system is easily dismounted and collapsed for warehousing. The modular patient support system comprises a base frame that is used to attach the system to a vehicle. The base frame is oriented parallel and adjacent to a side wall of the vehicle. Two telescoping litter supports are attached to the base frame by hinges having a vertical axis of rotation. The two litter supports can either be extended normal to the base frame in order to support a patient on a litter, or collapsed and folded parallel to the base frame. A seat frame is adjustably attached to the base frame using multiple connecting links. When positioned vertically, the seat bottoms serve as mounting surfaces for medical equipment.