Abstract: An implantable marker, instruments for implanting the marker and method for implanting the marker are described. The implantable marker comprises a housing with an outer surface providing a bone anchor and having a cavity within which a marker detectable by a tracking system is secured. The kit includes a guide instrument having a guide channel for receiving an implantable marker, an insertion tool receivable within the channel and having a distal end for releasably engaging an implantable marker, and an implantable marker receivable within the channel. The insertion tool is operable to drive the implantable marker into the bone. The method includes puncturing the skin with an instrument, driving the implantable marker into the bone and withdrawing the instrument, leaving the marker implanted within the bone.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting a sensor in a body part, in which the sensor has at least one cord extending therefrom which is connected to an external device, includes a guide sheath for defining a path to the surface of the body part through overlaying soft tissue, the sheath having a bore extending along its length between first and second open ends through which the tool can pass and a slot that extends along its length between its first and second open ends. A delivery sheath for implanting the sensor in the hole has a bore extending along its length between a first open end at which the sensor can be mounted and a second end, with the cord extending from the sensor along the bore, in which the sheath has a slot that extends along its length between its first and second end, and wherein the delivery sheath can be received within the guide sheath by sliding the delivery sheath within the bore of the guide sheath.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in a surgical procedure is described. The assembly can includes a sensor for implantation into a body part, a sensor cord attached to and extending from the sensor and a handle fastened to the sensor cord. The handle is fastened so that a force can be applied to the sensor cord via the handle. The handle comprises a force indicator to which force applied to the sensor cord is applied and which can provide an indication of the force applied to the sensor cord via the handle.

Abstract: An implantable marker, instruments for implanting the marker and method for implanting the marker are described. The implanta+e marker comprises a housing with an outer surface providing a bone anchor and having a cavity within which a marker detectable by a tracking system is secured. The kit includes a guide instrument having a guide channel for receiving an implanta+e marker, an insertion tool receivable within the channel and having a distal end for releasably engaging an implanta+e marker, and an implanta+e marker receiva+e within the channel. The insertion tool is operable to drive the implanta+e marker into the bone. The method includes puncturing the skin with an instrument, driving the implanta+e marker into the bone and withdrawing the instrument, leaving the marker implanted within the bone.

Abstract: A probe assembly for use in a surgical procedure is described. The probe assembly can include a sensor which can be implanted in a patient responsive to external electromagnetic fields for generating position data, an insertion tool for the sensor, which can be used to manipulate the sensor and to deliver it to the desired implantation site and electronic circuitry configured to handle a signal which can interact with the sensor. The electronic circuitry and the insertion tool can have mating formations by which they can be assembled together. The electronic circuitry can be a field generator for generating an electromagnetic field for the sensor.

Abstract: A template for use in a surgical procedure is described. The template comprises a template body, means for fixing the template body to a patient's tissue, a feature on the template body to indicate the appropriate location of the template body relative to an anatomical landmark, a feature on the template body to indicate the required location of a sensor which is to be implanted in the patient during the surgical procedure, and a feature on the template body for indicating the required location of a field generator which can be fixed to the template.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for use in a surgical procedure is described. The assembly can includes a sensor for implantation into a body part, a sensor cord attached to and extending from the sensor and a handle fastened to the sensor cord. The handle is fastened so that a force can be applied to the sensor cord via the handle. The handle comprises a force indicator to which force applied to the sensor cord is applied and which can provide an indication of the force applied to the sensor cord via the handle.

Abstract: An instrument combination for use in preparing a bone for receiving a component of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis comprises a primary instrument which can be fixed to the bone, and whose position relative to the bone must be determined, the primary instrument having a slot in it defined by a slot reference surface and a slot opposite surface. A plane finder instrument includes a plate having a plate reference surface and a plate surface, with a resiliently deformable element on the plate opposite surface. The plate can be fitted into the slot with the plate reference surface facing towards the slot reference surface, and be urged towards it by the action of the resiliently deformable element against the slot opposite surface.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting a sensor in a body part, in which the sensor has at least one cord extending therefrom which is connected to an external device, includes a guide sheath for defining a path to the surface of the body part through overlaying soft tissue, the sheath having a bore extending along its length between first and second open ends through which the tool can pass and a slot that extends along its length between its first and second open ends. A delivery sheath for implanting the sensor in the hole has a bore extending along its length between a first open end at which the sensor can be mounted and a second end, with the cord extending from the sensor along the bore, in which the sheath has a slot that extends along its length between its first and second end, and wherein the delivery sheath can be received within the guide sheath by sliding the delivery sheath within the bore of the guide sheath.