Abstract: Drill bit guide assemblies related to surgical operations for guiding and stabilizing a drill bit. A guide member houses a fixed bore through which a drill bit may pass. The guide member may also house a bore selection member which houses a plurality of selectable bores. The selectable bores may have a variety of diameters such that a user may choose the selectable bore corresponding to the drill bit diameter being used and align that selectable bore with the fixed bore such that the drill bit may pass through the length of the assembly along the reference axis. The similar diameters of the selectable bore and the drill bit may cause the assembly to stabilize and guide the drill bit.

Abstract: Sensing technology methods related thereto for determining cut through of bone and a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., an oscillating saw blade in a cut). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the cutting edge of the saw blade in the cut. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the cutting edge of the saw blade. As such, monitoring the first and/or second sensor may allow for the saw to be stopped upon completion of a cut (e.g., when the saw passes completely through a medium to be cut or upon reaching a predetermined depth for the cut).

Abstract: Use of measurement system and detection module with a burr instrument for surgical procedures. The measurement system may include sensors (e.g., displacement, acceleration, and/or force sensors) that may be utilized to detect potentially hazardous operation of the burr instrument. For example, when penetrating through the cortex of the bone the measurement system may be operated in a unicortical mode such that when the burr passes through the cortex of the bone, the instrument operating may be arrested to avoid damage to surrounding tissue. Moreover, the system may be utilized to detect a slip or sudden loss of contact of the burr instrument such that the instrument may be arrested to avoid damage to surrounding tissue. Furthermore, the burr instrument may have a predetermined ramp-up speed.

Abstract: Unicortical path detection for a measurement system for monitoring a depth of penetration of a working portion of an instrument in a bone of a patient. The unicortical detection may compare an average cortex thickness in a bicortical path to an actual measured depth of penetration. If the actual depth of penetration exceeds the average thickness, a unicortical path may be detected. Upon detection of a unicortical path, an alert may be provided and/or the instrument may be arrested upon subsequent breaching of the cortex.

Abstract: An offset reference guide for use in determining an offset value for orthopedic fasteners to be used with surgical hardware. The reference guide may include a reference surface against which the surgical hardware may be disposed. In turn, an orthopedic fastener may be inserted through a fastener hole of the surgical hardware and accepted by a fastener relief of the guide. Upon fully seating the orthopedic fastener relative to the surgical hardware, the distal end of the orthopedic fastener may align with one of a set of offset indicia calibrated relative to a known length of the orthopedic fastener. In turn, an offset value for the surgical hardware may be determined that may, for example, be used to augment measurements of bore lengths taken for a bore into which an orthopedic fastener is to be disposed.

Abstract: An offset reference guide for use in determining an offset value for orthopedic fasteners to be used with surgical hardware. The reference guide may include a reference surface against which the surgical hardware may be disposed. In turn, an orthopedic fastener may be inserted through a fastener hole of the surgical hardware and accepted by a fastener relief of the guide. Upon fully seating the orthopedic fastener relative to the surgical hardware, the distal end of the orthopedic fastener may align with one of a set of offset indicia calibrated relative to a known length of the orthopedic fastener. In turn, an offset value for the surgical hardware may be determined that may, for example, be used to augment measurements of bore lengths taken for a bore into which an orthopedic fastener is to be disposed.

Abstract: A measurement system and method for determining a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., a rotating drill bit in a bore). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the leading edge of the drill bit in the bore. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the leading edge of the drill bit. A processor outputs a third signal representative of the depth of penetration of the leading edge of the drill bit when the leading edge of the drill bit passes from a first medium having a first density to a second medium having a second density. The third signal is based on the first and second signals.

Abstract: Sensing technology methods related thereto for determining cut through of bone and a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., an oscillating saw blade in a cut). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the cutting edge of the saw blade in the cut. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the cutting edge of the saw blade. As such, monitoring the first and/or second sensor may allow for the saw to be stopped upon completion of a cut (e.g., when the saw passes completely through a medium to be cut or upon reaching a predetermined depth for the cut).

Abstract: A measurement system and method for determining a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., a rotating drill bit in a bore). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the leading edge of the drill bit in the bore. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the leading edge of the drill bit. A processor outputs a third signal representative of the depth of penetration of the leading edge of the drill bit when the leading edge of the drill bit passes from a first medium having a first density to a second medium having a second density. The third signal is based on the first and second signals.

Abstract: Methods and instruments for placement of orthopedic implants in bones of a patient. The placement may include selective placement of the implant relative to structure of the bone using a measurement system that may detect interfaces between layers of the bone. The orthopedic implants may be engaged by various embodiments of chucks. The chucks may include structure for engaging indexing features of a corresponding orthopedic implant to restrict movement of the implant relative to the chuck along a working axis. The chucks may allow for use of an instrument having a measurement system for accurate and repeatable placement of the implants using the instrument.

Abstract: A measurement system and method for determining a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., a rotating drill bit in a bore). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the leading edge of the drill bit in the bore. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the leading edge of the drill bit. A processor outputs a third signal representative of the depth of penetration of the leading edge of the drill bit when the leading edge of the drill bit passes from a first medium having a first density to a second medium having a second density. The third signal is based on the first and second signals.

Abstract: Drill bit guide assemblies related to surgical operations for guiding and stabilizing a drill bit. A guide member houses a fixed bore through which a drill bit may pass. The guide member may also house a bore selection member which houses a plurality of selectable bores. The selectable bores may have a variety of diameters such that a user may choose the selectable bore corresponding to the drill bit diameter being used and align that selectable bore with the fixed bore such that the drill bit may pass through the length of the assembly along the reference axis. The similar diameters of the selectable bore and the drill bit may cause the assembly to stabilize and guide the drill bit.

Abstract: Unicortical path detection for a measurement system for monitoring a depth of penetration of a working portion of an instrument in a bone of a patient. The unicortical detection may compare an average cortex thickness in a bicortical path to an actual measured depth of penetration. If the actual depth of penetration exceeds the average thickness, a unicortical path may be detected. Upon detection of a unicortical path, an alert may be provided and/or the instrument may be arrested upon subsequent breaching of the cortex.

Abstract: Methods and instruments for placement of orthopedic implants in bones of a patient. The placement may include selective placement of the implant relative to structure of the bone using a measurement system that may detect interfaces between layers of the bone. The orthopedic implants may be engaged by various embodiments of chucks. The chucks may include structure for engaging indexing features of a corresponding orthopedic implant to restrict movement of the implant relative to the chuck along a working axis. The chucks may allow for use of an instrument having a measurement system for accurate and repeatable placement of the implants using the instrument.