Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a patient. The method includes acquiring a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals with an ultrasound transducer, each RF signal representing one or more return echoes from a scan line of a pulse-mode echo ultrasound scan. A position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each of the acquired RF signals is determined, and a plurality of contour lines generated from the plurality of RF signals. The method estimates a 3-D shape and position of an anatomical feature, such as a joint of patient based on the generated contour lines and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions. An apparatus, or computer includes a processor and a memory with instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a joint condition includes in one embodiment: creating a 3d model of the patient specific bone; registering the patient's bone with the bone model; tracking the motion of the patient specific bone through a range of motion; selecting a database including empirical mathematical descriptions of the motion of a plurality actual bones through ranges of motion; and comparing the motion of the patient specific bone to the database.

Abstract: A method of generating a 3-D patient-specific musculoskeletal model. The method includes acquiring a plurality of raw radiofrequency (“RF”) signals from an A-mode ultrasound scan of the bone while tracking the acquiring in 3D space. The bone contours are isolated in each of the plurality of RF signals and transformed into a point cloud. A 3-D model of the bone is then optimized with respect to the point cloud. The 3-D patient-specific musculoskeletal model may include a model of a bone, a model of a joint, a model of cartilage, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A device for acquiring data and diagnosing a musculoskeletal injury. The device includes a semi-flexible housing, at least one ultrasonic transducer, a positional localizer, and a transmission system. The semi-flexible housing is positioned proximate a portion of the musculoskeletal system of a patient and supports the at least one ultrasonic transducer and the positional localizer. The at least one ultrasonic transducer is configured to acquire an ultrasonic data indicative of a bone surface. The positional localizer is positioned at a select location relative to the at least one ultrasonic transducer and tracks movement of the housing. The transmission system transmits the ultrasonic data of the at least one ultrasonic transducer and the movement data of the positional localizer to a data analyzer for analysis and diagnosis.

Abstract: A spinal disc prosthesis comprising: (a) a distal spinal prosthetic comprising at least two separable portions; (b) a proximal spinal prosthetic comprising at least two separable portions, where at least one of the two separable portions of at least one of the distal spinal prosthetic and the proximal spinal prosthetic includes a partial loop appendage at least partially defining a spinal nerve canal.