Abstract: A system and method for determining the consequent step of a multi step procedure determines the identity of components usable in the procedure. Based on the components introduced and the context of the procedure at the time the component is introduced determines a consequent step and moves to that determined consequent step.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the consequent step of a multi step procedure determines the identity of components usable in the procedure. Based on the components introduced and the context of the procedure at the time the component is introduced determines a consequent step and moves to that determined consequent step.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece that includes a motor for actuating a cutting accessory. The handpiece has a housing with a bore for receiving the cutting accessory and a coupling member internal to the bore that releasably engages and actuates the cutting accessory. A coil is mounted to the housing adjacent the bore. More particularly, the coil is located so that when the cutting accessory is seated in the bore, the coil is able to exchange signals with a complementary coil integral with the cutting accessory. A locking assembly mounted to the housing releasably holds the cutting accessory in the bore.

Abstract: An article to enable the creation of a model of a surface includes a flexible substrate and multiple optical tracking points attached to the flexible substrate at predetermined location. The optical tracking points can be tracked by a tracking system, and a data link enables communication from the flexible substrate to a tracking system. Also disclosed is an article that enables the creation of a model of a surface including multiple light emitting diodes attached to the flexible substrate at predetermined locations. Finally, a method of registering an article and a method for creating a model of a surface having a shape are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a positional device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and an ultrasonic imaging device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for relating additional spatial information associated with one volume data set of an anatomical structure with another volume data set of the anatomical structure where the spatial information is not available. A unique spatial characteristic of the volume data set is identified, such as an image moment of inertia, and an arbitrary reference frame is assigned to the volume data set and correlated with the unique spatial characteristic. The additional spatial information is also correlated with the arbitrary reference frame. The additional spatial information is then correlated to a second volume data set of the anatomical structure by registering the first and second volume data sets based on the unique spatial characteristic. The methods and systems allow registration of different volume data sets of the same anatomical structure and transfer of the additional spatial information without establishing a local reference frame based on predefined landmarks.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a fiber optic device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method of performing an arthroplasty of a ball and socket joint with a surgical navigation system includes the step of digitizing landmarks to provide geometrical parameters of the joint and a limb depending there from, including digitizing aspects of a socket region of the ball and socket joint. A range of motion parameter is determined. A soft tissue tension parameter is determined. A functional goal is computed based on landmark data, the range of motion parameter, the soft tissue tension parameter, and a database of potential implants. An optimal socket position is solved for to minimize impingement of potential implants. An implant is chosen based on the optimal socket position and the functional goal. The joint is prepared to receive the chosen implant. The chosen implant is installed into the joint.

Abstract: An article to enable the creation of a model of a surface includes a flexible substrate and multiple optical tracking points attached to the flexible substrate at predetermined location. The optical tracking points can be tracked by a tracking system, and a data link enables communication from the flexible substrate to a tracking system. Also disclosed is an article that enables the creation of a model of a surface including multiple light emitting diodes attached to the flexible substrate at predetermined locations. Finally, a method of registering an article and a method for creating a model of a surface having a shape are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for resecting a tibia and femur during arthroplasty includes anchoring devices, a three-way alignnment guide attachable to an anchoring device. The alignment guide provides for locating a resection guide in three degrees of freedom, including one translation and two rotations. The resection guide is coupled to a computer navigation system.

Abstract: An adapter can be easily used to assist a surgical navigation system to determine the effector axis or the effector plane of a surgical instrument. The adapter has a body with a geometrical feature, the geometrical feature has a known relation with a navigation tracker device that can be attached to the adapter. When the adapter is held against a surgical instrument in a non-fixed manner, the effector axis or the effector plane of the instrument can be tracked by the surgical navigation system. The method includes a calibration method to determine the known relation between the effector axis or the effector plane and the location of the navigation tracker.

Abstract: A method of registering an article having a surface to previously created scan data of the article includes the steps of providing a flexible substrate having multiple tracking points attached to the substrate, applying the substrate to the article to be registered, creating a model of the surface of the article from a location of each tracking point; and registering the model with the previously created scan data. A method of creating a model of a surface having a shape and an article to enable the creation of a model of a surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adapter can be easily used to assist a surgical navigation system to determine the effector axis or the effector plane of a surgical device. The adapter has a body with a geometrical feature, the geometrical feature has a known relation with a navigation tracker device that can be attached to the adapter. When the adapter is held against a surgical device in a non-fixed manner, the effector axis or the effector plane of the device can be tracked by the surgical navigation system. The method includes a calibration method to determine the known relation between the effector axis or the effector plane and the location of the navigation tracker.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining a global position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a user's body. The substrate includes a positional device and a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system. A finger mounted structure capable of communicating with the positional device is also provided. The concatenation of a position of the sensor and a position of the finger mounted structure allows a global position of a point on the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system.

Abstract: A surgery system comprising at least one smart instrument, a computer system, and a sensor system adapted to wirelessly sense the position of the at least one smart instrument and to transmit position information to the computer system, wherein the sensor system includes a sensor array and the sensor array includes at least three linear CCD cameras and at least one infrared transceiver.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a positional device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user.