Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote alignment of a cut guide. The cut guide may be positioned on a base which is remote from a surgical site and positioned on a docking station. An alignment jig is removably positioned on a bone and is used to provide alignment information to the docking station. The docking station remotely aligns the cut guide relative to the base. Thereafter, the cut guide and base are removed from the docking station and positioned on the bone in place of the alignment jig. A surgical procedure using the cut guide may then be completed.

Abstract: A robot is characterized by an external measurement device. The robot generates a first point cloud of data. The external measurement device generates a second point cloud of data. These two points clouds are analyzed to determine an accuracy of the robot.

Abstract: A computer assisted surgery (CAS) system and method for preparing an anatomical structure to receive an orthopaedic implant. The method generally involves the steps of determining a contour of the anatomical structure by using the CAS system to acquire a plurality of points on the anatomical structure and provide a best fit approximation of the anatomical structure based on the plurality of points, selecting an implant to replicate the anatomical structure, and preparing the anatomical structure to receive the implant.

Abstract: A soft tissue balancer in the form of a tensioner, a controller, and software for operating the controller and, correspondingly, the tensioner. The tensioner may be configured for receipt between the femur and the tibia and includes a pair of condylar components having individual, extendable support platforms. The support platforms may be raised or lowered to contact the femoral condyles and distraction the tibia and femur for ligament tensioning and soft tissue balancing. Once the support platforms contact the femoral condyles, range of motion testing of the knee joint may be performed and the various heights achieved and/or forces experienced by the support platforms recorded.

Abstract: An orthopedic cut guide including a motor configured to actuate a cutter guide having a guide surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the cut guide may include a plurality of motors each configured to actuate the cutter guide. Advantageously, by utilizing a combination of motors, the cutter guide and, correspondingly, the guide surface may be actuated along multiple planes and/or in multiple directions to position the cut guide in the desired position to facilitate resection of a bone.

Abstract: Instruments for use in resecting, reshaping, and preparing the end of a bone to receive an implant. The instruments may be equipped with indicator devices in the form of light-emitting devices to project an indicator onto the bone. Examples of such instruments may be a cut guide equipped with a built-in cut plane indicator device and a cut plane indicator device for use with existing cut guides. The cut plane indicator device may provide a visual indication or cue on a surface of the bone indicating where the cut plane of the cut guide will intersect the bone.