Abstract: A cutting device for cutting a sternum of a patient comprises a laser source, a beam adjusting structure, a support and a correction arrangement. The laser source is adapted to generate a cut laser beam. The beam adjusting structure is arranged for directing the laser beam along a predefined cut geometry at the sternum. The support carries the laser source. The support has a mounting structure adapted to be fixed to a rib cage of the patient such that the laser source is in a predefined position with respect to the sternum. The correction arrangement is adapted to automatically identify a movement of the laser source relative to the sternum causing the cut laser beam to deviate from the predefined cut geometry and adjust the position of the laser source relative to the sternum to correct the deviation of the cut laser beam with respect to the predefined cut geometry.

Abstract: A method of cutting a bone (2) comprises the steps of: preparing the bone (2) in order to be accessible to an osteotomic instrument; predefining an osteotomic geometry on the bone (2); and applying the osteotomic instrument to the bone (2) thereby cutting the bone (2) along the osteotomic geometry and generating a cut surface (21) to the bone (2). The method further comprises delivering a laser beam to the cut surface (21) of the bone (2) such that the cut surface (21) of the bone (2) is ablated. The method according to the invention allows to improve healing of a bone at its cut surface after being cut by the osteotomic instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position and orientation of first and second rigid bodies in relation to each other. The apparatus includes a light source mounted to the first rigid body, an image sensor mounted to either the first or second rigid body and positioned in a field of light, a shadow mask mounted to either the first or second rigid body and arranged in the field of light, and a computation unit configured to calculate at least one angle by evaluating a shadow image which passes the shadow mask and is detected by the image sensor. The apparatus may include a mechanical constraint mounted to the first and second rigid bodies that defines a fixed distance between the first and second rigid bodies, is stationary in relation to one of the first or second rigid body, and is variably inclinable in relation to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position and orientation of first and second rigid bodies in relation to each other. The apparatus includes a light source mounted to the first rigid body, an image sensor mounted to either the first or second rigid body and positioned in a field of light, a shadow mask mounted to either the first or second rigid body and arranged in the field of light, and a computation unit configured to calculate at least one angle by evaluating a shadow image which passes the shadow mask and is detected by the image sensor. The apparatus may include a mechanical constraint mounted to the first and second rigid bodies that defines a fixed distance between the first and second rigid bodies, is stationary in relation to one of the first or second rigid body, and is variably inclinable in relation to the other.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting a patient's sternum includes a laser source adapted to generate a cut laser beam, a beam adjusting structure arranged for directing the cut laser beam generated by the laser source along a predefined cut geometry at the sternum, a support that carries the laser source and, optionally, a correction arrangement. The support has a mounting structure adapted to be fixed to a patient's rib cage such that the laser source is in a predefined position with respect to the sternum. The correction arrangement is adapted to automatically identify a movement of the laser source relative to the sternum causing the cut laser beam to deviate from the predefined cut geometry. It is further adapted to automatically adjust the position of the laser source relative to the sternum to correct the deviation of the cut laser beam with respect to the predefined cut geometry.

Abstract: A method of cutting a bone (2) comprises the steps of: preparing the bone (2) in order to be accessible to an osteotomic instrument; predefining an osteotomic geometry on the bone (2); and applying the osteotomic instrument to the bone (2) thereby cutting the bone (2) along the osteotomic geometry and generating a cut surface (21) to the bone (2). The method further comprises delivering a laser beam to the cut surface (21) of the bone (2) such that the cut surface (21) of the bone (2) is ablated. The method according to the invention allows to improve healing of a bone at its cut surface after being cut by the osteotomic instrument.