Abstract: A surgical planning method is provided. A representation of a bone of a joint is created. The joint is moved to a first position. A first point corresponding to a first location in the joint is identified when the joint is in the first position. The joint is moved to a second position. A second point corresponding to a second location in the joint is identified, when the joint is in the second position. Bone preparation for implanting an implant on the bone is planned based at least in part on the first and second points.

Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to a dynamic distractor (1 00) for distracting bones of a muscular-skeletal system. The dynamic distractor (100) includes at least one sensor (108, 110) which can provide loading, loading differential and position information as well as other measured parameters, a handle (112, 804), a lift mechanism (302), and one or more alignment aid (502, 802). The position and measurement sensors (108, 110) communicate with the processing unit (406) to display, process, and store measured data. A rod (604) couples a cutting block (602) to the distractor (100). The rod (604) also fixes a position of a cutting block (602) in relation to the distractor (100). The cutting block (602) is coupled to the distractor (100) to stabilize and align the muscular-skeletal system while shaping a bone.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for resolving a pivot point via touchless interaction. It applies to situations where one end of a rigid object is inaccessible but remains stationary at a pivot point, while the other end is free to move and is accessible to an input pointing device. As an example, the rigid object can be a leg bone where the proximal end is at the hip joint and the distal end is at the knee. The system comprises a wand and a receiver that are spatially configurable to touchlessly locate the pivot point without contact. The receiver tracks a relative displacement of the wand and geometrically resolves the location of the pivot point by a spherical mapping. The system can use a combination of ultrasonic sensing and/or accelerometer measurements. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An alignment system for the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The system supports parameter measurement and alignment. The system comprises a sensored device, a reference position tool, and a remote system configured to receive and display sensor data. The sensored device includes a three-axis accelerometer configured to measure position, rotation, and slope. The reference position tool comprises a body, a first arm coupled to a proximal end of the body, and a second arms coupled to a proximal end of the body. The sensored device couples to the reference position tool. The first and second arms of the reference position tool couples to the muscular-skeletal system in predetermined locations to allow a position of the muscular-skeletal system to be referenced. The body of the reference position tool can extend and retract to adapt to different sized muscular-skeletal systems.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring alignment of the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a sensored module that can be placed within a prosthetic component to measure load, position of load, and joint alignment. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. Alignment relative to a mechanical axis is measured. In a two bone system with a joint therebetween the total alignment measured comprises offsets measured for each bone. The joint is placed in a predetermined flexion that supports measurement of the joint as it is moved. The joint pivots on a point that is along the mechanical axis. Points along the arc made by the joint rotating between a first and second point are measured. An arc maximum is determined. The arc maximum is then converted to varus or valgus offset relative to the mechanical axis.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for aligning a bone cutting jig for a bone cut relative to a mechanical axis. The method utilizes a three-axis accelerometer in a device to measure position, rotation, and tilt. The device is coupled to a bone-cutting jig. The bone-cutting jig is coupled to a bone. A joint of the bone is placed in a predetermined flexion. The joint end of the bone is rotated between a first point and a second point. As the joint rotates it pivots off a pivot point related to the mechanical axis. The joint rotation is monitored on a remote system. The device transmits data related to an arc made by the joint as it is rotated. The alignment of the bone relative to the mechanical axis is calculated from the three-axis accelerometer data. The bone-cutting jig is positioned to cut the bone based on the alignment measurement.

Abstract: A system is disclosed herein for providing a kinetic assessment and preparation of a prosthetic joint comprising one or more prosthetic components. The system comprises a prosthetic component including sensors and circuitry configured to measure load, position of load, and joint alignment. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. The kinetic assessment measures joint alignment under loading that will be similar to that of a final joint installation. The kinetic assessment can use trial or permanent prosthetic components. Furthermore, adjustments can be made to the applied load magnitude, position of load, and joint alignment by various means to fine-tune an installation. The kinetic assessment increases both performance and reliability of the installed joint by reducing error that is introduced by elements that load or modify the joint dynamics not taken into account by prior assessment methods.

Abstract: A knee bone cut system and method is disclosed. The knee bone cut system supports cutting an anterior portion of a distal end of a femur. The system comprises a sensored insert, a femoral rotation guide, and a remote system to receive and display sensor data. The sensored insert provide data related to load magnitude, position of load, and leg position. The femoral rotation guide has moveable condyles to adjust condyle position in a rapid manner. A pinch mechanism and lock mechanism respectively move the condyles into contact with the sensored insert. Moreover, the femoral rotation guide can be loaded similar to a final installed insert over a range of motion. For example, the patella can be placed on the femoral rotation guide allowing the patella to load the sensored insert. The femoral insert guide includes guide holes that are used in conjunction with a bone cutting jig.

Abstract: A graphical user interface having a portion of an orthopedic system displayed on an electronic display. Where the graphical user interface displays: a parameter of the orthopedic system; a portion of an orthopedic insert; and a parameter of the orthopedic insert. Where in response to detecting movement of the orthopedic system the displayed portion of the orthopedic system is moved, a change of the parameter of the orthopedic system is displayed, and a change in parameter of the orthopedic insert is displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring medial-lateral tilt of a bone is disclosed. The bone is coupled to a joint of the muscular-skeletal system. The method comprises coupling a three-axis accelerometer to a prepared bone surface of a bone. The three-axis accelerometer is configured to measure position, rotation, and tilt. The joint is rotated between two points. The rotation between the two points traverses an arc having a maximum therebetween. The joint pivots off of a surface to which the bone is coupled. In one embodiment, a pivot point and joint rotation relates to a mechanical axis of the joint and bone. The three-axis accelerometer measures data points along the arc as it is rotated between the two points. Multiple passes along the arc generates sufficient data points to determine the maximum. The position of the maximum is used to calculate the medial-lateral tilt of the bone.

Abstract: A method of providing feedback to a user of an orthopedic alignment system, which displays: a portion of an orthopedic system; a parameter of the orthopedic system; a portion of an orthopedic insert in the display; and a parameter of the orthopedic insert. Where the method detects movement of the orthopedic system, and moves the displayed portion of the orthopedic system in response to the movement of the orthopedic system. Where the method additionally detects changes of the parameter of the orthopedic insert and of the parameter of the orthopedic system during movement of the orthopedic system, and displays the changes of the parameter of the orthopedic insert and the parameter of the orthopedic system.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring anterior-posterior slope of a bone to set a cutting jig coupled to the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a sensored module that can be placed within a prosthetic component to measure anterior-posterior slope. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from the sensors. A first bone and a second bone are placed in extension. A sensored module is referenced to a bone landmark of the first bone. The sensored module includes a three-axis accelerometer that is configured to measure position, tilt, and rotation. A bone cutting jig is coupled to the first bone. The sensored insert is coupled to the bone cutting jig. The accelerometer in the sensored insert is used to measure the anterior-posterior slope. The bone cutting jig is then adjusted to a predetermined anterior-posterior slope as measured by the sensored insert.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a contact point of a joint is disclosed. The system comprises a prosthetic component having sensors therein and a remote system to receive and display sensor data. A plurality of sensors of the prosthetic component provide data related to load magnitude and position of load applied to a surface of the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component further includes one or sensors that provide position, rotation, and tilt data. Adjustment of the contact point of the prosthetic component can be performed by repositioning the prosthetic component relative to a bone to which it is coupled. For example, a prosthetic component can be pinned to the bone allowing rotation of the prosthetic component relative to the bone in-situ. A remote system receives sensor data from the prosthetic component allowing viewing of the load magnitude, position of load, and rotation of the prosthetic component.

Abstract: A bone cutting system is disclosed that supports one or more bone cuts that are aligned relative to a mechanical axis. The system comprises a first bone cutting jig, a second bone cutting jig, a sensored insert, a bone jig adapter shim, and a device having at least two reference surfaces. The sensored insert includes a three-axis accelerometer to measure position, rotation, and tilt and includes a plurality of sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The reference surface device can be an operating table having a first reference surface and a second reference surface that is perpendicular to the first reference surface for referencing the three-axis accelerometer. The bone jig adapter shim can include a tab that fits into a slot of the first or second bone cutting jigs. A remote system receives accelerometer data to calculate offset relative to a mechanical axis.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed herein for measuring bone slope or tilt of a prepared bone surface of the muscular-skeletal system. The system comprises a three-axis accelerometer for measuring position, rotation, and tilt. In one embodiment, the three-axis accelerometer can be housed in a prosthetic component that couples to a prepared bone surface. The system further includes a remote system for receiving, processing, and displaying quantitative measurements from one or more sensors. A bone is placed in extension. The three-axis accelerometer is referenced to a bone landmark of the bone when the bone is in extension. The three-axis accelerometer is then coupled to the prepared bone surface with the bone in extension. The slope or tilt of the bone surface is measured. In the example, the slope or tilt of the bone surface corresponds to at least one surface of the prosthetic component attached thereto.

Abstract: A system and method of touchless interaction is provided for resolving a pivot point of an object where direct placement of a sensor at the pivot point is not practical. It applies to situations where the pivot point of a rigid object is inaccessible but remains stationary, while the other end is free to move and is accessible. The system maps the object's pivot point by way of an external sensor that detects constrained motion of the rigid object within a hemispherical banded boundary. It can also detect a geometric pattern and acceleration during the constrained motion to compensate for higher order rotations about the pivot point. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-mode closed-loop measurement system for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium is disclosed. A first module comprises an inductor drive circuit, an inductor, a transducer, and a filter. A second module housed in a screw comprises an inductor and a transducer. The screw is bio-compatible and allows an accurate delivery of the circuit into the muscular-skeletal system. The inductor can be attached and interconnected on a flexible substrate that fits into a cavity in the screw. The first and second modules are operatively coupled together. The first module provides energy to power the second module. The second module emits an energy wave into the medium that propagates to the first module. The transit time of energy waves is measured and correlated to the parameter by known relationship.

Abstract: A dual-mode closed-loop measurement system (100) for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium (122) is disclosed. A first module comprises an inductor drive circuit (102), an inductor (104), a transducer (106), and a filter (110). A second module housed in a screw (335) comprises an inductor (114) and a transducer (116). The screw (335) is bio-compatible and allows an accurate delivery of the circuit into the muscular-skeletal system. The inductor can be attached and interconnected on a flexible substrate (331) that fits into a cavity in the screw (335). The first and second modules are operatively coupled together. The first module provides energy to power the second module. The second module emits an energy wave into the medium that propagates to the first module. The transit time of energy waves is measured and correlated to the parameter by known relationship.

Abstract: A distractor suitable for measuring a force, pressure, or load applied by the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. An insert couples to the distractor. The insert has at least one articular surface allowing movement of the muscular-skeletal system when the distractor is inserted thereto. The insert can be a passive insert having no measurement devices. A sensor array and electronics are housed within the distractor. The distractor can dynamically distract the muscular-skeletal system. A handle of the distractor can be rotated to increase or decrease the spacing between support structures. The measurement system comprises a sensor array and electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the electronic circuitry is coupled to the sensor array by a unitary circuit board or substrate. The sensors can be integrated into the unitary circuit board. For example, the sensors can comprise elastically compressible capacitors or piezo-resistive devices.

Abstract: A system and method for is provided for operation of an orthopedic system. The system includes a load sensor for converting an applied pressure associated with a force load on an anatomical joint, and an ultrasonic device for creating a low-power short-range ultrasonic sensing field within proximity of the load sensing unit for assessing alignment. The system can adjust a strength and range of the ultrasonic sensing field according to position. It can report audible and visual information associated with the force load and alignment. Other embodiments are disclosed.