Abstract: A device for use with a surgical navigation system includes a body with an inner and outer wall that is shaped to envelope an extremity of a patient, a tracking device associated with the body in a fixed relation to the outer wall of the body, and a filler that fixably conforms to the space between the inner wall of the body and the extremity. The device can be used in orthopedic surgery.

Abstract: An accessory kit for use with a software based medical resource to perform a particular medical procedure includes a package, a license media that includes license key information, a package and an item for use in performing the medical procedure. The method includes the steps of obtaining a license key from a license media, using the key to activate a medical resource, and writing data back to the license media to disable the license key so that the license key can not be reused. One type of license media used is an RFID tag.

Abstract: A method, system and device for tracking an anatomical structure includes a section having a small cross section relative to the length, a first end of the section having a tip capable of being removably attached to the anatomical structure; and a second end of the section that has two position-indicating sensors located thereon. The position-indicating sensors are tracked and displayed by the system.

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 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 light source illuminates a field of interest that includes an illumination module capable of projecting illumination light to the field of interest and a light projector associated with the illumination module. The light source also includes an input device associated with the light projector; the input device capable of sending signals to the light projector such that the light projector simultaneously projects data light along with the illumination light to the field of interest.

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 performing a total replacement surgery of a ball and socket joint of a patient using a surgical navigation system is performed by constructing intra-operatively a three dimensional model of the joint based on landmarks of the patient, by preparing the joint to receive implants, by placement of implants into the prepared joint and by determining range of motion and/or stability of the reconstructed joint. A system to perform a total replacement surgery of a ball and socket joint of a patient includes a surgical navigation system, a first circuit to construct intra-operatively a three dimensional model of the joint, a first tool to prepare the joint, a second tool to place an implant into the prepared joint, and a second circuit to determine range of motion and/or stability of the reconstructed joint. A virtual trialing or look ahead feature can also be included.

Abstract: A display unit for use with a surgical navigation system that includes a body; a screen capable of displaying data; a communications link capable of sending and receiving data to and from the surgical navigation system; and an attachment device to attach the display unit to a body of a surgical instrument to be manipulated relative to a patient's anatomy, a tracking unit associated with the surgical instrument that can be tracked by the surgical navigation system; where the screen can display information received from the surgical navigation system. A method for using the display unit attached to a surgical instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for detecting or following the position of a bone is described. The device comprises a holder (10) for a position indicator, and a gripping mechanism (20, 30) for fastening the holder (10) to the bone. The gripping mechanism (20, 30) is designed to surround the bone on two opposite sides and on a further, third side and executes a constrained movement in the direction of the third side as the bone is being surrounded by the gripping mechanism (20, 30) on the two opposite sides.

Abstract: A device for detecting or following the position of a bone is described. The device comprises a holder (10) for a position indicator, and a gripping mechanism (20, 30) for fastening the holder (10) to the bone. The gripping mechanism (20, 30) is designed to surround the bone on two opposite sides and on a further, third side and executes a constrained movement in the direction of the third side as the bone is being surrounded by the gripping mechanism (20, 30) on the two opposite sides.