Patents by Inventor Joel Zuhars
Joel Zuhars has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9433471Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventor: Joel Zuhars
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Patent number: 8876830Abstract: A virtual implant placement method and system comprising models of implants and/or bones linked to tracking assemblies mounted onto the bones. A joint model is constructed intraoperatively based on the positions of the tracking assemblies to determine the positions of cut planes.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Hodorek, Joel Zuhars, Jody L. Claypool
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Publication number: 20140316545Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: ORTHOSOFT, INC.Inventors: Louis-Philippe AMIOT, Yannick BOUTIN, Yonik BRETON, Karine DUVAL, Herbert Andre JANSEN, Benoit PELLETIER, Catherine PROULX, Alain RICHARD, Myriam VALIN, Joel ZUHARS
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Publication number: 20140135857Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Zimmer, Inc.Inventor: Joel Zuhars
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Patent number: 8718820Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Orthosoft, Inc.Inventors: Louis-Philippe Amiot, Yannick Boutin, Yonik Breton, Karine Duval, Herbert Andre Jansen, Benoît Pelletier, Catherine Proulx, Alain Richard, Myriam Valin, Joel Zuhars
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Patent number: 8652148Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.Inventor: Joel Zuhars
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Publication number: 20140031829Abstract: A digitizer device comprises an elongated body and legs connected to the elongated body. At least one joint is between the legs and the elongated body such that free ends of the legs are displaceable relative to one another. An inertial sensor unit is connected to the elongated body, the inertial sensor unit having a preset orientation aligned with the elongated body. A table reference device comprises a body adapted to be fixed to an operating table. An inertial sensor unit is with a preset orientation related to the operating table.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: ORTHOSOFT, INC.Inventors: Francois Paradis, Joel Zuhars, Karine Duval, Mathieu Chevrier, Louis-Philippe Amiot, Herbert Jansen, Myriam Valin, Don Dye, Isabelle Robitaille, Simon Ferron-Forget, Francois Baudoin
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Publication number: 20130253378Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting force information related to a provisional is disclosed. A user interface may be provided for presenting objects on a display related to a knee joint, the user interface including a representation of an area of the knee joint for presentment on the display and a force center indicator for presentment on the display. The user interface providing an indication of when a position of the force center indicator corresponds to a desired position of the force center indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Zimmer Inc.Inventors: Jody Claypool, Joel Zuhars, Stuart Sullivan, David B. Rich
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Publication number: 20130231672Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system comprises instruments adapted to be used to perform tasks related to surgery. A reference device is in a fixed relation to a bone. A rotating magnet creates a magnetic field plane, the rotating magnet being connected to one of the instrument and the reference device. A magnetometer on the other of the instrument and the reference device produces signals as a function of at least its orientation relative to the magnetic field plane. A processing unit tracks said orientation of the instrument relative to the bone using said signals from the magnetometer subjected to the magnetic field plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: ORTHOSOFT INC.Inventors: Francois Paradis, Joel Zuhars, Karine Duval, Mathieu Chevrier
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Publication number: 20130073067Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Louis-Philippe Amiot, Yannick Boutin, Yonik Breton, Karine Duval, Herbert Andre Jansen, Benoît Pelletier, Catherine Proulx, Alain Richard, Myriam Valin, Joel Zuhars
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Patent number: 8265790Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for planning/guiding alterations to a bone in surgery, comprises a trackable member adapted to be secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data for at least two degrees of freedom in orientation of the trackable member A positioning block is adapted to be secured to the bone, with at least an orientation of the positioning block being adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to reach a selected orientation at which the positioning block is used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data for at least two degrees of freedom in orientation of the positioning block. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block from the orientation-based data.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Orthosoft, Inc.Inventors: Louis-Philippe Amiot, Yannick Boutin, Yonik Breton, Karine Duval, Herbert Andre Jansen, Benoît Pelletier, Catherine Proulx, Alain Richard, Myriam Valin, Joel Zuhars
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Publication number: 20120029389Abstract: A system tracks an object in computer-assisted surgery. The system comprises a sensor unit secured to the femur. Gyroscopes on the sensor unit produce readings related to orientation data about three axes of rotation. A tracking unit receives the gyroscope readings. An axis calibrator on the tracking unit comprises a calculator for adding at least part of the gyroscope readings for specific movements of the object about a desired axis. An axis normalizer on the tracking unit determines an orientation of the desired axis with respect to the sensor unit from the added gyroscope readings. A tracking processor tracks the desired axis from the gyroscope readings. An interface displays orientation data for the object from a tracking of the desired axis. A method for tracking an object with a gyroscope sensor unit is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Louis-Philippe Amiot, Joel Zuhars, Catherine Proulx, Mynam Valin, Tin Nguyen, Benoit Pelletier, Karine Duval Duval, Alain Richard, Rula Kiblawi, Yannick Boutin
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Publication number: 20110208256Abstract: A system and method for repairing an area of defective tissue reduces the removal of healthy tissue at the margins of the defect. During excision of diseased or damaged tissue, the system tracks the movement and function of a tissue resection tool within a monitored surgical space. This movement is continuously recorded to create a three-dimensional set of data points representative of the excised volume of tissue. This data set is then communicated to a custom implant forming device which creates a custom implant sized to fit the void created by the excision. The system and method of the present disclosure allows a surgeon to exercise intraoperative control over the specific shape, volume and geometry of the excised area. Moreover, the surgeon may utilize a “freehand” resection method to excise only that tissue deemed to be diseased and/or damaged, because the custom-formed implant will accommodate an irregularly-shaped resection volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.Inventor: Joel Zuhars
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Patent number: 7997474Abstract: In one embodiment a medical device comprising an interface, a portable component and a controller is provided. The interface is configured for receiving identification data of a user, the portable component is configured for storing configuration data and the controller is configured for retrieving the configuration data based on the identification data and for configuring the medical device based on the configuration data.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joel Zuhars, Daniel Groszmann
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Publication number: 20110196377Abstract: A virtual implant placement method and system comprising models of implants and/or bones linked to tracking assemblies mounted onto the bones. A joint model is constructed intraoperatively based on the positions of the tracking assemblies to determine the positions of cut planes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.Inventors: Robert A. Hodorek, Joel Zuhars, Jody L. Claypool
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Publication number: 20090248044Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for planning/guiding alterations to a bone in surgery, comprises a trackable member adapted to be secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data for at least two degrees of freedom in orientation of the trackable member A positioning block is adapted to be secured to the bone, with at least an orientation of the positioning block being adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to reach a selected orientation at which the positioning block is used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data for at least two degrees of freedom in orientation of the positioning block. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block from the orientation-based data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Louis-Philippe Amiot, Yannick Boutin, Yonik Breton, Karine Duval, Herbert Andre Jansen, Benoit Pelletier, Catherine Proulx, Alain Richard, Myriam Valin, Joel Zuhars
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Publication number: 20080314973Abstract: In one embodiment a medical device comprising an interface, a portable component and a controller is provided. The interface is configured for receiving identification data of a user, the portable component is configured for storing configuration data and the controller is configured for retrieving the configuration data based on the identification data and for configuring the medical device based on the configuration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Joel Zuhars, Daniel Groszmann
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Publication number: 20050169510Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system apparatus for instrument tracking on a series of images. The method relates to performing instrument tracking on an image. The method comprises collecting at least one image and computing at least one of a position and orientation of at least one instrument for the at least one collected image. The method further relates to displaying at least one, some or all of the collected and computed data either separately or in any combination.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2004Publication date: August 4, 2005Inventors: Joel Zuhars, Daniel Groszmann, Tina Kapur
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Patent number: 5824085Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for planning the position of a prosthesis in a long bone in orthopaedic surgical procedures, such as hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, long bone osteotomies, and the like. A bone model is generated from a scanned image of a bone, a prosthesis model is selected from a library of prosthesis models and then a cavity model is formed based on the prosthesis model and/or the bone model. The cavity model may then be positioned over the bone model, either interactively by the surgeon or automatically through an algorithm based on clinical parameters, to determine a reasonable location for implantation of a prosthesis within the bone. The cavity model allows the surgeon to optimize placement of the implant within the bone, and it provides important clinical information to the surgeon, such as areas in which press fits are provided, extension areas for possible subsidence and access areas for allowing the surgeon to insert the implant into the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alind Sahay, Brent Mittelstadt, Willie Williamson, Jr., Joel Zuhars, Peter Kazanzides