Abstract: Instruments, guides, systems and related methods for total ankle prostheses are disclosed. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods facilitate preparation of a tibia and/or talus of a patient for implantation of a total ankle prosthesis therein. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods also facilitate selection of a particular size of a tibial component, a talus component and/or a tibial insert of the total ankle prosthesis that suits the patient. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods include a tibial trial component, a talar trial component and tibial insert trial component that replicate one or more aspects of the tibial component, the talus component and the tibial insert, respectively, of the total ankle prosthesis. The talar trial component includes an articulation surface that articulates with the tibial insert trial component, and slots that facilitate chamfered resection of the patient's talus for the implantation of the talus component thereon.

Abstract: A distractor system for use in a joint between two bone surfaces of an anatomical structure includes, for example, distractor and at least one detachable tool comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion being releasably attachable to at least one of a first end of the distractor and/or a second end of the distractor. The distal portion of the detachable tool being operably positionable in the joint between the two bone surfaces of the anatomical structure. The detachable tools may include a detachable paddle.

Abstract: Instruments, guides, systems and related methods for total ankle prostheses are disclosed. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods facilitate preparation of a tibia and/or talus of a patient for implantation of a total ankle prosthesis therein. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods also facilitate selection of a particular size of a tibial component, a talus component and/or a tibial insert of the total ankle prosthesis that suits the patient. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods include a tibial trial component, a talar trial component and tibial insert trial component that replicate one or more aspects of the tibial component, the talus component and the tibial insert, respectively, of the total ankle prosthesis. The talar trial component includes an articulation surface that articulates with the tibial insert trial component, and slots that facilitate chamfered resection of the patient's talus for the implantation of the talus component thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a system for detecting foreign object debris ingested into an aircraft engine. The system detects such foreign object debris by projecting a beam of light over an inlet of the aircraft engine. When foreign object debris is ingested into the aircraft engine, it intercepts the beam of light and scatters a back-scattered portion of the intercepted beam of light. An optical detector is configured to detect the back-scattered portion of the intercepted beam of light. A processor is configured to determine whether foreign object debris is ingested by the aircraft engine based on a comparison of a threshold value with a signal indicative of the back-scattered portion generated by the optical detector.

Abstract: A distractor system for use in a joint between two bone surfaces of an anatomical structure includes, for example, distractor and at least one detachable tool comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion being releasably attachable to at least one of a first end of the distractor and/or a second end of the distractor. The distal portion of the detachable tool being operably positionable in the joint between the two bone surfaces of the anatomical structure. The detachable tools may include a detachable paddle.

Abstract: Instruments, guides, systems and related methods for total ankle prostheses are disclosed. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods facilitate preparation of a tibia and/or talus of a patient for implantation of a total ankle prosthesis therein. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods also facilitate selection of a particular size of a tibial component, a talus component and/or a tibial insert of the total ankle prosthesis that suits the patient. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods include a tibial trial component, a talar trial component and tibial insert trial component that replicate one or more aspects of the tibial component, the talus component and the tibial insert, respectively, of the total ankle prosthesis. The talar trial component includes an articulation surface that articulates with the tibial insert trial component, and slots that facilitate chamfered resection of the patient's talus for the implantation of the talus component thereon.

Abstract: Alignment instruments may include joint-line referencing systems having an alignment arm having a body with first and second portions defining first and second sides. The first portion has at least one first pin tube through-hole extending from the first to the second side. The second portion has a first opening on the first side. A pin tube guide member is receivable in the first through-hole. The pin tube guide member has a passageway therethrough. An angelwing alignment member includes a portion receivable in the first opening of the alignment arm. An alignment foot is secured to the second portion, and the alignment foot has a handle and a shim. The shim is positionable in a joint between a first bone and a second bone, the alignment arm is alignable relative to a first bone, and the pin tube guide is operable for securing a pin into the first bone.

Abstract: Alignment instruments may include joint-line referencing systems having an alignment arm having a body with first and second portions defining first and second sides. The first portion has at least one first pin tube through-hole extending from the first to the second side. The second portion has a first opening on the first side. A pin tube guide member is receivable in the first through-hole. The pin tube guide member has a passageway therethrough. An angelwing alignment member includes a portion receivable in the first opening of the alignment arm. An alignment foot is secured to the second portion, and the alignment foot has a handle and a shim. The shim is positionable in a joint between a first bone and a second bone, the alignment arm is alignable relative to a first bone, and the pin tube guide is operable for securing a pin into the first bone.

Abstract: Patient specific instruments, systems and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or resurfacing joint surfaces. A tibia alignment guide including a body with a first surface and a second surface, a base portion coupled to and extending away from the first surface of the body, and a tower portion coupled to and extending away from a top surface of the body.

Abstract: A distractor system for use in a joint between two bone surfaces of an anatomical structure includes, for example, distractor and at least one detachable tool comprising a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said proximal portion being releasably attachable to at least one of a first end of the distractor and/or a second end of the distractor. The distal portion of the detachable tool being operably positionable in the joint between the two bone surfaces of the anatomical structure. The detachable tools may include a detachable paddle.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging of objects in a scene based on difference images indicative of only objects in the scene that have ranges within a subrange. The difference images are calculated by taking differences of two images, each of which captures light reflected by objects in the scene that have ranges within range domains that are different from one another. Thus, each of the difference images includes light reflected by only those objects located at ranges that are included in one of the range domains but not the other. These range domains are controlled by the timing of operation of a fast shutter. In some embodiments, the fast shutter includes an electro-optical modulator between two polarizing filters. The electro-optical modulator can rapidly change the polarization of the light transmitted therethrough such that the second polarizing filter either transmits or blocks the light.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a system for detecting foreign object debris ingested into an aircraft engine. The system detects such foreign object debris by projecting a beam of light over an inlet of the aircraft engine. When foreign object debris is ingested into the aircraft engine, it intercepts the beam of light and scatters a back-scattered portion of the intercepted beam of light. An optical detector is configured to detect the back-scattered portion of the intercepted beam of light. A processor is configured to determine whether foreign object debris is ingested by the aircraft engine based on a comparison of a threshold value with a signal indicative of the back-scattered portion generated by the optical detector.

Abstract: Patient specific instruments, systems and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or resurfacing joint surfaces. A tibia alignment guide including a body with a first surface and a second surface, a base portion coupled to and extending away from the first surface of the body, and a tower portion coupled to and extending away from a top surface of the body.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to sampling a large volume of a cloud atmosphere so as to obtain a large signal response from even a sparse distribution of water droplets in the cloud atmosphere. Such a volume can be probed by projecting an uncollimated optical beam into the cloud atmosphere and sampling the signal backscattered from the water droplets located within the probed volume. The uncollimated optical beam can be generated by projecting a diverging pulse of light energy from a polished end of a first optical fiber. A second optical fiber can be used to receive the optical signal backscattered from the cloud atmosphere. The second optical fiber can also have substantially the same field of view as the first optical fiber, so as to receive signals from a volume of the cloud atmosphere that is substantially commensurate with the probed volume.

Abstract: Methods for total ankle replacement procedures are disclosed. A method includes making an initial incision, obtaining an alignment guide, performing an alignment, performing a tibia and talar resection, trialing the implant components, performing a talar chamfer resection, and implanting the components.

Abstract: A trial insert having a first member having an engagement channel extending from a bottom surface towards a top surface and along a first direction that extends from a first end to a second end. The trial insert has a second member having an engagement member extending away from a top surface and along a second direction that extends from a first end to a second end, where the engagement member is received within the engagement channel, and where the first member is translatable relative to the second member along a longitudinal axis of the trial insert.

Abstract: Alignment instruments may include joint-line referencing systems having an alignment arm having a body with first and second portions defining first and second sides. The first portion has at least one first pin tube through-hole extending from the first to the second side. The second portion has a first opening on the first side. A pin tube guide member is receivable in the first through-hole. The pin tube guide member has a passageway therethrough. An angelwing alignment member includes a portion receivable in the first opening of the alignment arm. An alignment foot is secured to the second portion, and the alignment foot has a handle and a shim. The shim is positionable in a joint between a first bone and a second bone, the alignment arm is alignable relative to a first bone, and the pin tube guide is operable for securing a pin into the first bone.

Abstract: Instruments, guides, systems and related methods for total ankle prostheses are disclosed. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods facilitate preparation of a tibia and/or talus of a patient for implantation of a total ankle prosthesis therein. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods also facilitate selection of a particular size of a tibial component, a talus component and/or a tibial insert of the total ankle prosthesis that suits the patient. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods include a tibial trial component, a talar trial component and tibial insert trial component that replicate one or more aspects of the tibial component, the talus component and the tibial insert, respectively, of the total ankle prosthesis. The talar trial component includes an articulation surface that articulates with the tibial insert trial component, and slots that facilitate chamfered resection of the patient's talus for the implantation of the talus component thereon.

Abstract: Patient specific instruments, systems and methods for maintaining, correcting and/or resurfacing joint surfaces. A tibia alignment guide including a body with a first surface and a second surface, a base portion coupled to and extending away from the first surface of the body, and a tower portion coupled to and extending away from a top surface of the body.

Abstract: Instruments, guides, systems and related methods for total ankle prostheses are disclosed. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods facilitate preparation of a tibia and/or talus of a patient for implantation of a total ankle prosthesis therein. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods also facilitate selection of a particular size of a tibial component, a talus component and/or a tibial insert of the total ankle prosthesis that suits the patient. The instruments, guides, systems and related methods include a tibial trial component, a talar trial component and tibial insert trial component that replicate one or more aspects of the tibial component, the talus component and the tibial insert, respectively, of the total ankle prosthesis. The talar trial component includes an articulation surface that articulates with the tibial insert trial component, and slots that facilitate chamfered resection of the patient's talus for the implantation of the talus component thereon.