Abstract: A method and system for registering a bone of a patient with a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system includes retrieving an image of the bone having indicia of the position of a magnetic source coupled thereto, determining first data indicative of the position of the magnetic source in a bone coordinate system, determining second data indicative of a correlation between a coordinate system of the image and the bone coordinate system based on the first data; and displaying an image of the bone based on the second data.

Abstract: A system and method for managing patient-related data includes transmitting a power signal to an orthopaedic implant, receiving implant identification data from the orthopaedic implant, and retrieving patient-related data from a database based on the implant identification data. The method may also include receiving security code data and determining the validity of such security code data prior to the retrieving the patient-related data from the database. The method may further include updating an electronically-stored patient queue based on the patient-related data, assigning a patient room to a patient identified by the patient-related data, and transmitting the patient related data to a client machine located in the patient room and/or a portable media device.

Abstract: A medical device communications network comprises a plurality of medical devices including either or both of a first number of surgical instruments and a second number of implants configured for subcutaneous implantation in a biological body. A corresponding plurality of wireless communication circuits are each mounted to a different one of the plurality of medical devices. Each of the plurality of wireless communication circuits is configured to broadcast medical device information relating to the medical device to which it is mounted and to receive information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices. The network may or may not include a master wireless communications circuit configured to receive the medical device information broadcast by any of the plurality of slave wireless communication circuits and to broadcast the information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices.

Abstract: A medical device communications network comprises a plurality of medical devices including either or both of a first number of surgical instruments and a second number of implants configured for subcutaneous implantation in a biological body. A corresponding plurality of wireless communication circuits are each mounted to a different one of the plurality of medical devices. Each of the plurality of wireless communication circuits is configured to broadcast medical device information relating to the medical device to which it is mounted and to receive information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices. The network may or may not include a master wireless communications circuit configured to receive the medical device information broadcast by any of the plurality of slave wireless communication circuits and to broadcast the information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices.

Abstract: A registration pointer includes a camera located in an elongated shaft having a distal end configured to be contacted to a bone of a patient to register the bone to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system. The camera may be a hemispherical camera and may include a panoramic camera and a wide-angle camera equipped with a fish-eye lens. The registration pointer is configured to transmit images received by the cameras to the computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system for display thereon. The computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system may be configured to generate an image, such as a hemispherical image, based on the images received from the registration pointer.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the operating state of a curable composition utilizes an acoustic wave or signal transmitted into a container holding the composition. In one embodiment, characteristics of a reflected component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated to pre-determined values indicative of one or more operating states, or degrees of curing, of the composition. In another embodiment, characteristics of a transmitted component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated. The characteristics include, for example, the speed of sound through the curable composition or the attenuation of the acoustic signal reflected by or transmitted through the composition.

Abstract: A system for managing medical instrument use during a surgical procedure may comprise a number of medical instruments, a display device configured to display any of the number of medical instruments, a microphone for transmitting voice commands identifying different ones of the number of medical instruments, and a controller. The controller is responsive to the voice commands to control the display device to display corresponding ones of the number of medical instruments.

Abstract: A registration pointer includes a camera located in an elongated shaft having a distal end configured to be contacted to a bone of a patient to register the bone to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system. The camera may be a hemispherical camera and may include a panoramic camera and a wide-angle camera equipped with a fish-eye lens. The registration pointer is configured to transmit images received by the cameras to the computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system for display thereon. The computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system may be configured to generate an image, such as a hemispherical image, based on the images received from the registration pointer.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for determining a position of an orthopaedic prosthesis includes a patient support platform, a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array. The sensor array is configured to generate data signals in response to an output signal of a signal source(s) coupled to the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or a bone of the patient. The controller is configured to determine a position of the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or the bone of the patient based on the data signals.

Abstract: A system that enables targeting of an instrument placed within a drill bushing aligns the axis of a drill bushing with the axis of a transverse hole in an intramedullary nail. The system includes a probe having an elongated member with a distal end, a magnet that is polarized along its longitudinal axis that is mounted perpendicularly to the distal end of the elongated member; and a processor executing programmed instructions to determine a position and orientation of the magnetic sensor array with respect to the targeting magnet.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for determining a position of an orthopaedic prosthesis includes a patient support platform, a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array. The sensor array is configured to generate data signals in response to an output signal of a signal source(s) coupled to the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or a bone of the patient. The controller is configured to determine a position of the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or the bone of the patient based on the data signals.

Abstract: An orthopaedic element has an information storage portion. A transmitter portion and an internal power source portion may be associated with the body of the orthopaedic element. Information, such as data related to the orthopaedic element, patient or caregiver can be stored in the information storage portion. The transmitter portion is coupled to the information storage portion and the internal power source portion. The stored information is selectively transmitted to an external receiver and data interpretation device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the operating state of a curable composition utilizes an acoustic wave or signal transmitted into a container holding the composition. In one embodiment, characteristics of a reflected component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated to pre-determined values indicative of one or more operating states, or degrees of curing, of the composition. In another embodiment, characteristics of a transmitted component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated. The characteristics include, for example, the speed of sound through the curable composition or the attenuation of the acoustic signal reflected by or transmitted through the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a patient includes at least one femoral paddle and a tibial paddle. At least one of the femoral paddle and the tibial paddle is movable away from the other. The apparatus also includes a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a force applied to the femoral paddle or the tibial paddle. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the operating state of a curable composition utilizes an acoustic wave or signal transmitted into a container holding the composition. In one embodiment, characteristics of a reflected component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated to pre-determined values indicative of one or more operating states, or degrees of curing, of the composition. In another embodiment, characteristics of a transmitted component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated. The characteristics include, for example, the speed of sound through the curable composition or the attenuation of the acoustic signal reflected by or transmitted through the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a patient includes at least one femoral paddle and a tibial paddle. At least one of the femoral paddle and the tibial paddle is movable away from the other. The apparatus also includes a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a force applied to the femoral paddle or the tibial paddle. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system.

Abstract: An implantable, adjustable prosthesis includes a first component which may be moved relative to a second component by use of a transcutaneous control signal. A method of operating such a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor array includes a first three-dimensional magnetic sensor secured to a substrate in a central location of the substrate. A number of second three-dimensional magnetic sensors are secured to the substrate at a first distance from the first magnetic sensor. Additionally, a number of one-dimensional magnetic sensors are secured to the substrate at a second distance from the first magnetic sensor greater than the first distance. Additional magnetic sensors of any dimension may also be included. The magnetic field sensitivity of the first and second three-dimensional magnetic sensors may be less than the magnetic field sensitivity of the one-dimensional magnetic sensors. The sensing range of the first and second three-dimensional magnetic sensors may be greater than the sensing range of the one-dimensional magnetic sensors. The magnetic sensor array may also include a processing circuit coupled to the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: An implantable, adjustable prosthesis includes a first component which may be moved relative to a second component by use of a transcutaneous control signal. A method of operating such a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor array includes a first three-dimensional magnetic sensor secured to a substrate in a central location of the substrate. A number of second three-dimensional magnetic sensors are secured to the substrate at a first distance from the first magnetic sensor. Additionally, a number of one-dimensional magnetic sensors are secured to the substrate at a second distance from the first magnetic sensor greater than the first distance. Additional magnetic sensors of any dimension may also be included. The magnetic field sensitivity of the first and second three-dimensional magnetic sensors may be less than the magnetic field sensitivity of the one-dimensional magnetic sensors. The sensing range of the first and second three-dimensional magnetic sensors may be greater than the sensing range of the one-dimensional magnetic sensors. The magnetic sensor array may also include a processing circuit coupled to the magnetic sensors.