Abstract: A method for aligning a manipulable sensor assembly includes determination of a replica surface, which represents a field of view of a manipulable sensor assembly associated with an object when the object is located in a desired position and oriented at a desired orientation. Electromagnetic radiation and/or sound reflected from a surface of the region of interest is detected to provide a surface map of the region of interest, which is compared to the replica surface to determine a rotation and/or a translation for the manipulable sensor assembly to bring the surface map into alignment with the replica surface. The position and/or the orientation of the object are altered. The detection of reflected electromagnetic radiation or sound, comparison of the surfaces, and alteration of the position and orientation of the object are repeated until the surface map is in alignment with the replica surface.

Abstract: A method of longitudinally guiding a first elongate structure for motion along a desired motion trajectory toward a target area through reference to a second elongate structure includes a guiding frame having at least one laterally offset guiding structure. The guiding frame is selectively affixed to the first elongate structure in a predetermined relative guiding configuration. The second elongate structure is placed in a predetermined targeting relationship, correlated with the desired motion trajectory, with the target area. The second elongate structure is maintained in the predetermined targeting relationship substantially lateral to the target area. The second elongate structure is brought into a predetermined guiding relationship with the guiding portion of the guiding frame.

Abstract: A method of preparing for a surgical procedure includes creating a three-dimensional bone model of a subject bone of a patient. At least a portion of the bone model is compared to at least one three-dimensional reference anatomic model. At least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model is identified. At least one desired subject bone structural change is specified to produce a modified bone model responsive to the step of identifying at least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model. An apparatus for preparing for a surgical procedure is also provided.

Abstract: A trajectory structure is configured for contact with a surface to dictate an insertion trajectory of a pin relative to the surface. A location structure is configured to allow longitudinal passage of at least a portion of the pin therethrough to dictate an insertion location of the pin relative to the surface. An elongate handling rod is connected to the trajectory structure and the location structure. The handling rod supports the trajectory structure and the location structure for manipulation by a user. The handling rod spaces the trajectory structure and the location structure longitudinally apart. The trajectory structure is connected to the handling rod for trajectory adjustment in at least two degrees of freedom relative to the handling rod. The insertion trajectory of the pin insertion is substantially dependent upon the trajectory adjustment. A method for inserting an elongate guide pin into a bone surface is also provided.

Abstract: A stock instrument includes at least one guide interacting feature. A lower instrument surface of the stock instrument is placed into contact with the patient tissue. A guide has a lower guide surface contoured to substantially mate with at least a portion of an upper instrument surface of the stock instrument. A predetermined instrument orientation upon the patient tissue is defined, which is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. The guide and instrument are mated in a predetermined relative guide/instrument orientation wherein at least one guide interacting feature of the instrument is placed into engagement with at least one instrument guiding feature of the guide. The guide is moved into a predetermined guide orientation with respect to the patient tissue and concurrently the instrument is moved into a predetermined instrument orientation with respect to the patient tissue.

Abstract: A directed structure placement guide assists with positioning at least one directed structure in at least one of a predetermined insertion trajectory and a predetermined insertion location with respect to a patient tissue surface during preparation of the patient tissue surface to receive an implant. The implant has a tissue-contacting surface. A guide base has a distal base surface mimicking the structure of at least a portion of a tissue-contacting surface of the implant. The guide base also has a proximal base surface longitudinally spaced from the proximal base surface. At least one insertion guiding structure is movably supported by the guide base and is adjustable into a guiding configuration in which at least one of the predetermined insertion trajectory and the predetermined insertion location is selectively imparted to the directed structure.

Abstract: A method of preparing for a surgical procedure includes creating a three-dimensional bone model of a subject bone of a patient. At least a portion of the bone model is compared to at least one three-dimensional reference anatomic model. At least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model is identified. At least one desired subject bone structural change is specified to produce a modified bone model responsive to the step of identifying at least one structural difference between the bone model and the at least one reference anatomic model. An apparatus for preparing for a surgical procedure is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for dictating an insertion trajectory and location for insertion of an elongate pin into a surface includes a primary leg having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal primary leg ends. At least one subordinate leg has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal subordinate leg ends. The proximal subordinate leg end is movably attached to the primary leg by a coupling mechanism allowing at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the subordinate leg relative to the primary leg. The distal subordinate leg end is configured for contact with the surface concurrently with contact of the distal primary leg end with the surface, to support the apparatus during use of the apparatus. The primary leg guides longitudinal translational movement of the elongate pin to insertion into the surface at the dictated insertion trajectory and location when the apparatus is supported in a predetermined guiding relationship with the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers predetermined spatial positioning information to an adjustable tool. Means are provided for temporarily holding at least a carrier portion of the adjustable tool stationary relative to a manipulable reference surface. Means are provided for imparting predetermined spatial positioning information to the reference surface in a first degree of freedom. Means are provided for imparting predetermined spatial positioning information to the reference surface in a second degree of freedom. The predetermined spatial positioning information is imparted to the reference surface in the first and second degrees of freedom to generate a pre-set reference surface. At least a portion of the adjustable tool is held stationary relative to the pre-set reference surface. At least a functional portion of the adjustable tool is manipulated into a predetermined setting position relative to the reference surface. The predetermined setting position reflects a position of the pre-set reference surface.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing at least one patient-specific surgical aid is described. A native patient tissue having at least one patient tissue surface of interest is provided. A moldable substance is placed into contact with at least a portion of the patient tissue surface of interest. An impression of the patient tissue surface of interest is maintained upon the moldable substance. The moldable substance is solidified into a patient-specific surgical aid. The patient-specific surgical aid is removed from the native patient tissue. A system for producing at least one patient-specific surgical aid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan includes generating a physical native tissue model of a native patient tissue. The physical native tissue model includes at least one primary patient tissue area including a surface of interest, at least one secondary patient tissue area including no surfaces of interest, and a base surface for engaging a supporting structure. The physical native tissue model, as generated, includes at least one information feature providing clinically useful information to the user. The information feature is substantially separated from the surface of interest. An apparatus for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary surgical tool includes a driving shaft. A cutting head, connected to the driving shaft, is configured to cut into a surface. Driving means, connected to the driving shaft, rotate the driving shaft and the cutting head. A depth-limiting feature includes an adjustable stud extending from one of the cutting head and the surface toward the other one of the cutting head and the surface. The stud has a protrusion length that is greater than and/or equal to the length of a desired amount of final penetration of the cutting head into the surface. An aperture, provided in the other one of the cutting head and the surface, has an aperture depth that is greater than and/or equal to the desired amount of final penetration of the cutting head into the surface. Interaction between the aperture and the stud limits longitudinal advancement of the cutting head into the surface.

Abstract: A method for providing a synthetic bone model of a subject bone includes providing a file with data representing a three-dimensional subject bone. Manufacturing instructions are generated based upon at least a portion of the data. The manufacturing instructions are transferred to a manufacturing device. A thin-walled outer shell of the synthetic bone model is created directly from the manufacturing instructions using the manufacturing device. The outer shell defines an inner cavity. A filler material is placed within at least a portion of the inner cavity. A synthetic bone model is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of longitudinally guiding a first elongate structure for motion along a desired motion trajectory toward a target area through reference to a second elongate structure includes a guiding frame having at least one laterally offset guiding structure. The guiding frame is selectively affixed to the first elongate structure in a predetermined relative guiding configuration. The second elongate structure is placed in a predetermined targeting relationship, correlated with the desired motion trajectory, with the target area. The second elongate structure is maintained in the predetermined targeting relationship substantially lateral to the target area. The second elongate structure is brought into a predetermined guiding relationship with the guiding portion of the guiding frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a reference indication to a patient tissue includes a primary locating block having a patient-specific primary mating surface contoured for mating contact with a portion of the patient tissue in a predetermined primary mating orientation custom-configured responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. At least one mounting feature is provided to the primary locating block. At least one secondary item is configured for selective engagement with the primary locating block. The secondary item is at least one of a noncustomized secondary item and a patient-specific secondary item. The secondary item provides a reference indication to at least a portion of the patient tissue. The mounting feature of the primary locating block is configured for engagement with at least one secondary item in a predetermined secondary mounting relationship. The secondary mounting relationship is custom-configured for the patient tissue responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating patient specific instruments for use as surgical guides. A region of interest within a body of a patient is scanned to provide a three-dimensional model of the region of interest. A first user is allowed to position a model of a selected implant with the three-dimensional model of the region of interest via a graphical user interface. A patient specific instrument model is generated from a generic patient specific instrument model according to the position of the model of the selected implant within the three-dimensional model of the region of interest and the position of at least one extension of the model that is not visible to the first user. A patient specific instrument is fabricated according to the patient specific instrument model.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan includes generating a physical native tissue model of a native patient tissue. The physical native tissue model includes at least one primary patient tissue area including a surface of interest, at least one secondary patient tissue area including no surfaces of interest, and a base surface for engaging a supporting structure. The physical native tissue model, as generated, includes at least one information feature providing clinically useful information to the user. The information feature is substantially separated from the surface of interest. An apparatus for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan is also provided.

Abstract: A distance indicator for indicating the distance that a device has traveled includes an elongate housing with a guidewire connector configured for operative connection to a guidewire to hold the housing stationary with respect thereto. A plunger is operatively connected to the housing for longitudinal motion with respect to the housing. A first plunger end is configured to operatively contact the device. As the guidewire connector is holding the housing stationary with respect to the guidewire, the first plunger end is placed into operative contact with the device with the plunger and housing in a first relative plunger/housing position. The device moves longitudinally. The plunger moves into a second relative plunger/housing position assisted by the operative connection between the first plunger end and the device. The longitudinal difference between the first and second relative plunger/housing positions indicates a distance that the device has moved longitudinally with respect to the guidewire.

Abstract: A method of preoperative planning and provision of patient-specific surgical aids includes creating a virtual model of a native patient tissue. A virtual device is placed into a predetermined device orientation relative to the virtual model of the native patient tissue. At least one predetermined landmark orientation is specified for placement of at least one virtual landmark relative to the native patient tissue. A virtual patient-specific template containing the predetermined landmark orientation and having a landmark guiding feature is generated. At least one virtual patient-specific placement guide configured to interact simultaneously with at least one previously placed virtual landmark and the virtual device when the virtual device is in the predetermined device orientation is generated. A physical patient-specific template is created as a tangible representation of the virtual patient-specific template.

Abstract: A patient tissue includes a primary patient tissue area and an anatomically differentiated bordering secondary patient tissue area. An apparatus is at least partially customized responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. Means are provided for mating with the primary patient tissue area in a preselected relative orientation. Means are provided for fixing a first landmark to the primary patient tissue area in at least one of a predetermined marking location and a predetermined marking trajectory. Means are provided for fixing a second landmark to the secondary patient tissue area in at least one of a predetermined marking location and a predetermined marking trajectory. A method of associating a plurality of landmarks with a patient tissue is also provided.