Abstract: Methods of ordering and manufacturing orthopedic components eliminate the need to stockpile and inventory large volumes of implants and instruments. In one exemplary embodiment, the surgeon begins by acquiring anatomical data from a patient. The anatomical data may then be loaded into a data comparison program. The data comparison program performs a best-fit analysis by comparing the patient's anatomical data to a number of predesigned, tested, and validated virtual implant models that are stored in a database. Once an implant has been identified by the data comparison program for the individual patient, the surgeon may place an order electronically with the manufacturer via the internet. In one exemplary embodiment, when placing the order, the surgeon will specify the type of implant, the surgery date, specific patient information, shipping information, and the preferred surgical technique that the surgeon anticipates using.

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.

Abstract: A navigated orthopaedic guide is provided for establishing datums used to position subsequent components during an orthopaedic surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a grip, a reference structure and an alignment head and method of using. The reference structure has at least one reference element that is registrable in a computer assisted navigation system. The reference element may be a reflective structure for use in an optical tracking system, wire loop for sensing a magnetic field, or other suitable device. The alignment head has a substantially planar alignment surface and may also have a plurality of outwardly extending projections or an electrocautery electrode disposed along an edge of the alignment surface and extending parallel to the alignment surface. The projections may be engaged with an anatomical structure to hold the alignment head in a desired position as the alignment surface is used as a guide to mark the anatomical structure. The disclosed instrument may be used when resecting a femur to prepare the femur to receive the femoral component of a prosthetic hip joint.

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.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an anchoring member securable to an anatomical structure and an implement portion which is adjustably repositionable relative to the anchoring member. The implement portion is selectively translatably adjustable and selectively rotatably adjustable relative to the anchoring member. The implement portion may be selectively translatable along and/or selectively rotatable about at least two substantially perpendicular axes. The implement portion may be selectively translatable about three substantially perpendicular axes and/or selectively rotatable about three substantially perpendicular axes. The instrument may also include at least one reference element to facilitate the registration of the implement portion in a computer implemented guidance system. The reference element may be three non-linearly positioned elements disposed on a member which is removably mounted to the instrument.

Abstract: A detachable support arm structure couples a computer-assisted navigation system reference array to an instrument, for example, a surgical instrument, such that the geometry between the reference array and the surgical instrument is predetermined and registration of the instrument in the navigation system does not require calibration each time the reference array and support arm structure are coupled to the instrument. The support arm structure includes a mounting interface engageable with a mounting interface on the instrument. Engagement of the mounting interfaces releasably secures and repeatably and accurately locates and fixes the support structure to the instrument in a predefined geometry in each of six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A system for registering an orthopedic implant in a computer assisted navigation system. The system includes a plurality of differently sized implants which may be the femoral component or hip stem of a prosthetic hip joint. A registration device is engageable with each of the implants in a predefined relative position. The registration device also includes at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system. A second reference structure also having at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system is detachably secured to the implant. The relative positions of the reference elements located on the registration device and second reference structure differs for each of the plurality of implants and thereby allows the navigation system to determine the nominal size of the implant. The relative position and orientation of the implant relative to the second structure can also be calibrated using the registration device.

Abstract: A detachable support arm structure couples a computer-assisted navigation system reference array to an instrument, for example, a surgical instrument, such that the geometry between the reference array and the surgical instrument is predetermined and registration of the instrument in the navigation system does not require calibration each time the reference array and support arm structure is coupled to the instrument. The support arm structure includes a mounting interface engageable with a mounting interface on the instrument. Engagement of the mounting interfaces releasably secures and repeatably and accurately locates and fixes the support structure to the instrument in a predefined geometry in each of six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use with an anatomical structure. The surgical instrument is able to be tracked by a surgical navigation system to guide positioning of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a grip, a reference structure and an alignment head and method of using. The reference structure has at least one reference element that is registrable in a computer assisted navigation system. The reference element may be a reflective structure for use in an optical tracking system, wire loop for sensing a magnetic field, or other suitable device. The alignment head has a substantially planar alignment surface and may also have a plurality of outwardly extending projections or an electrocautery electrode disposed along an edge of the alignment surface and extending parallel to the alignment surface. The projections may be engaged with an anatomical structure to hold the alignment head in a desired position as the alignment surface is used as a guide to mark the anatomical structure. The disclosed instrument may be used when resecting a femur to prepare the femur to receive the femoral component of a prosthetic hip joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in a computer assisted navigation system is provided. The instrument includes at least one reference element registerable in the navigational system disposed on a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is rotatably mounted on the instrument and includes a counterweight or other anti-rotation feature whereby the reference element may be maintained in a desired orientation. A rotatable shaft may extend through the mounting assembly and have one end which is securable to a rotary driver such as a drill and a second end securable to a rotary tool such as a reamer. The second end of the shaft may utilize a collet assembly to firmly grasp the driven tool and thereby limit relative movement of the tool and the reference elements disposed on the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A system for registering an orthopedic implant in a computer assisted navigation system. The system includes a plurality of differently sized implants which may be the femoral component or hip stem of a prosthetic hip joint. A registration device is engageable with each of the implants in a predefined relative position. The registration device also includes at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system. A second reference structure also having at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system is detachably secured to the implant. The relative positions of the reference elements located on the registration device and second reference structure differs for each of the plurality of implants and thereby allows the navigation system to determine the nominal size of the implant. The relative position and orientation of the implant relative to the second structure can also be calibrated using the registration device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an anchoring member securable to an anatomical structure and an implement portion which is adjustably repositionable relative to the anchoring member. The implement portion is selectively translatably adjustable and selectively rotatably adjustable relative to the anchoring member. The implement portion may be selectively translatable along and/or selectively rotatable about at least two substantially perpendicular axes. The implement portion may be selectively translatable about three substantially perpendicular axes and/or selectively rotatable about three substantially perpendicular axes. The instrument may also include at least one reference element to facilitate the registration of the implement portion in a computer implemented guidance system. The reference element may be three non-linearly positioned elements disposed on a member which is removably mounted to the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an anchoring member and an instrument body which is adjustably repositionable relative to the anchoring member. At least one reference element may be mounted on the instrument body to facilitate the registration of the instrument body in a computer implemented image guidance system. The reference element may be three non-linearly positioned elements disposed on a removably mountable member. The anchoring member may be secured to an anatomical structure using an image guidance system. The instrument body may then be selectively adjusted with respect to the anchoring member and anatomical structure after securing the anchoring member with the anatomical structure. The selective repositioning adjustment of the instrument body on the anatomical structure may also employ a computer implemented image guidance system. The instrument may be used in the resection of a femur when implanting a prosthetic knee joint.

Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasterners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.

Abstract: An inside out motor includes a rotor including a concave member, a shaft defining a longitudinal axis mounted on the concave member and a magnet mounted on an interior surface of the concave member. A bearing receives the shaft for rotatably mounting the rotor. A stator assembly is mounted on said bearing and includes a bobbin mounted generally coaxially with the rotor shaft and having an interior diameter, an exterior diameter, a first axial end and a second axial end. A winding is wound on the bobbin and extends around the axis of the rotor shaft. The winding has a width in a direction parallel to the lengthwise extension of the rotor shaft. Plural separate ferromagnetic members are on each of the first and second axial ends of the bobbin. Each ferromagnetic member has a radially outer leg extending generally between the winding and the magnet.

Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasteners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.

Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasteners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.

Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasteners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.