Patents by Inventor Pierre Couture

Pierre Couture has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10725566
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for digitizing locations within a coordinate system are generally described herein. A device may include a sleeve including a sleeve tracking marker and a tracked probe portion including an array of tracking markers and a probe tip. Movement of the probe tip relative to the sleeve between at least a first position and a second position may be monitored by tracking the sleeve tracking marker relative to at least one tracking marker of the array of tracking markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Orthosoft ULC
    Inventors: Emily Gogarty, Pierre Couture
  • Patent number: 10716579
    Abstract: A method of creating a patient specific instrument (PSI) for use in knee replacement surgery is described which includes performing at least two two-dimensional X-ray scans of a bone, each of the X-ray scans being taken from different angular positions, generating a digital bone model of the bone based on the X-ray scans, planning the PSI based on the digital bone model, including determining locations for one or more anchor points on the PSI which are adapted to abut a surface of the bone, the determined locations of the anchor points being disposed on the PSI at locations corresponding to areas of expected high accuracy on the digital bone model generated by the X-ray scans. The areas of expected high accuracy include at least a peripheral bone contour in at least one of the angular position of the X-ray scans. A suite of such PSI instruments is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ZIMMER INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, Trong Tin Nguyen, Anselm Jakob Neurohr, Jean-Sébastien Merette
  • Publication number: 20200187928
    Abstract: The present disclosure can include a system including a surgical arm, a retractor connected to the surgical arm, a force sensor mounted on the surgical arm, the force sensor configured to receive sensor data indicating force on the retractor from the force sensor, and a magnetorheological fluid actuator for actuating the surgical arm, the actuator configured to actuate according to the received sensor data, and adjust the surgical arm according to the received sensor data so as to maintain a constant retraction force. The present disclosure can additionally include a method for retracting tissue including applying force to the tissue with a magnetorheological fluid actuator to induce a retraction force, sensing a change in force applied to the tissue using a force sensor, and maintaining the retraction force by adjusting the force applied to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20200170714
    Abstract: A system for generating a PSI jig model for implant revision comprises a reference anchor surface identifying module to identify at least one reference anchor surface from at least one patient specific image of a bone and of an implanted implant, the reference anchor surface configured to receive a guide reference(s). An implant abutment surface determining module determines an implant abutment surface from the patient specific bone image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Pierre COUTURE, Jean-Sebastien MERETTE
  • Publication number: 20200138586
    Abstract: A pin placement instrument for placing a pin in a bone comprises an anatomical interface with a hook-like portion being opened in a lateral direction of the instrument to receive a bone therein in a planned position. A drill guide is connected to the anatomical interface and defining at least one guide slot in a longitudinal direction of the instrument. The guide slot has a lateral opening over its full length in the drill guide to allow lateral withdrawal of the instrument in said lateral direction with the pin placed in the bone passing through the lateral opening. A bushing is removably placed in said guide slot via said longitudinal direction in a planned fit, the bushing defining a throughbore aligned with the guide slot and adapted to receive the pin extending in said longitudinal direction when the bushing is in the guide slot for pin placement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, Jean-Sebastien Merette, Alain Richard, Jean-Guillaume Abiven, Thomas Gourgon
  • Patent number: 10582969
    Abstract: A method for creating a model of a patient-specific instrumentation jig for implant revision includes obtaining an image of part of a patient bone and of an implanted implant on the bone. A reference anchor surface(s) is identified on the bone from the image, to receive a guide reference. An implant abutment surface is determined on the implanted implant. A virtual reference jig model is generated using the identified reference anchor surface and the determined implant abutment surface, and has a contact surface corresponding to the determined implant abutment surface for complementary connection with the determined implant abutment surface, a guide interfacing portion to guide a planting of the guide reference in the reference anchor surface, and a patient-specific geometry between the contact surface and the guide interfacing portion, to position and/or orient the guide interfacing portion relative to the reference anchor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, Jean-Sebastien Merette
  • Publication number: 20200069372
    Abstract: a system for outputting a three-dimensional (3D) bone model of a patient during computer-assisted surgery comprises a processing unit and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Marc-Antoine DUFOUR, Myriam VALIN, Jean-Sebastien MERETTE, Pierre COUTURE, Martin BRUMMUND
  • Publication number: 20200069375
    Abstract: A system for determining a position and an orientation of a bone of an anatomical feature includes a trackable reference device having a surgical pin at a first position being attachable to the bone. A wearable attachment attached to the trackable reference device is configured to be mounted about the outer-skin surface of the anatomical feature. A distance sensor mounted to the trackable reference device at a second position is operable to determine a distance measurement of the second position of the trackable reference device from the bone. Reference markers are fixedly mounted to the trackable reference device. A position sensing device registers position and orientation readings of the reference markers in a reference coordinate system. A processing unit determines the position and the orientation of the bone in the reference coordinate system using the position and orientation readings and the distance measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Pierre COUTURE
  • Patent number: 10543100
    Abstract: A pin placement instrument for placing a pin in a bone comprises an anatomical interface with a hook-like portion being opened in a lateral direction of the instrument to receive a bone therein in a planned position. A drill guide is connected to the anatomical interface and defining at least one guide slot in a longitudinal direction of the instrument. The guide slot has a lateral opening over its full length in the drill guide to allow lateral withdrawal of the instrument in said lateral direction with the pin placed in the bone passing through the lateral opening. A bushing is removably placed in said guide slot via said longitudinal direction in a planned fit, the bushing defining a throughbore aligned with the guide slot and adapted to receive the pin extending in said longitudinal direction when the bushing is in the guide slot for pin placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, Jean-Sebastien Merette, Alain Richard, Jean-Guillaume Abiven, Thomas Gourgon
  • Publication number: 20190377432
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for digitizing locations within a coordinate system are generally described herein. A device may include a sleeve including a sleeve tracking marker and a tracked probe portion including an array of tracking markers and a probe tip. Movement of the probe tip relative to the sleeve between at least a first position and a second position may be monitored by tracking the sleeve tracking marker relative to at least one tracking marker of the array of tracking markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Emily Gogarty, Pierre Couture
  • Patent number: 10429957
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for digitizing locations within a coordinate system are generally described herein. A device may include a sleeve including a sleeve tracking marker and a tracked probe portion including an array of tracking markers and a probe tip. Movement of the probe tip relative to the sleeve between at least a first position and a second position may be monitored by tracking the sleeve tracking marker relative to at least one tracking marker of the array of tracking markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ORTHOsoft, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Gogarty, Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20190272917
    Abstract: A system and method for pre-operative or intra-operative surgical procedure feedback provide a recommendation to a surgeon. A system may include a robotic surgical device to perform a portion of a surgical procedure on a patient, and a processor to determine a recommendation, based on past surgical information, for the portion of the surgical procedure performed by the robotic surgical device or for a next action to be taken, but the robotic surgical device or a surgeon. The system may include outputting the recommendation by intra-operatively providing the recommendation to a surgeon operating the robotic surgical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, William Hartman
  • Publication number: 20190254681
    Abstract: Patient-specific instrumentation for use when performing articular joint repair is provided. A patient-specific jig is adapted to be positioned over a bone at an articular surface thereof for assisting in preparing the bone surface for reception of a prosthesis. The jig comprises a bone contacting portion adapted to matingly contact a portion of the articular surface of the bone and a cutting slot adapted to receive therein a saw blade for resecting the articular surface of the bone. The cutting slot may be press-fitted into the opening of a cut guide. A patient-specific plate and a patient-specific rotational guide are also provided for guiding a positioning of the prosthesis over the resected surface of the bone. A method for manufacturing the patient-specific jig is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre COUTURE, Trong Tin NGUYEN, Anselm Jakob NEUROHR, Jean-Sebastien MERETTE, Jean-Guillaume Abiven, Alain Richard
  • Publication number: 20190250727
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for digitizing locations within a coordinate system are generally described herein. A device may include a sleeve including a sleeve tracking marker and a tracked probe portion including an array of tracking markers and a probe tip. Movement of the probe tip relative to the sleeve between at least a first position and a second position may be monitored by tracking the sleeve tracking marker relative to at least one tracking marker of the array of tracking markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Emily Gogarty, Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20190240046
    Abstract: A system and method may be used to evaluate soft tissue. A hip joint evaluation may use an adjustable spacer, such as varying sized physical spacers or an inflatable bladder, along with a sensor to measure force, pressure, gap distance, or the like, for example during a range of motion test. A method may include using a maximum pressure during the range of motion test to determine a maximum pressure during the range of motion test. The maximum pressure may be output for display on a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20190239901
    Abstract: Examples of robotically controlled planar cutting systems and methods for controlling cutting systems to prepare bone tissue in surgical procedures, are generally described herein. Applicable surgical procedures for the robotically controlled cutting systems and methods include procedures involving the preparation (e.g., removal, surfacing) of bone tissue, such as is performed in knee arthroplasties. In an example, a robotically controlled planar cutting system can include a housing, a cutting element disposed in the housing, and a cutting control mechanism in communication with a robotic controller to control operation of the cutting element to machine a planar surface. The cutting element can be exposed and retracted relative to the housing and can include a plurality of cutting implements arranged to machine the planar surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre COUTURE, Louis-Philippe AMIOT
  • Publication number: 20190240045
    Abstract: A system and method may be used to evaluate soft tissue. A knee arthroplasty soft tissue evaluation may use an adjustable spacer, such as varying sized physical spacers or an inflatable bladder, along with a sensor to measure force, pressure, gap distance, or the like during a range of motion test. A method may include maintaining an equal pressure or gap distance for a medial component and a lateral component of an adjustable spacer during a range of motion test. Information, including, for example a maximum or minimum gap distance or pressure may be determined during the range of motion test. The determined information may be output for display or used to update a surgical plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20190209183
    Abstract: The patient specific instrument (PSI) assembly for guiding a surgical tool on a tibia during a knee replacement surgery includes an extra-medullary portion at a distal end, an elongated rod connected at a distal end to the extra-medullary portion and extending in a direction along a mechanical axis of the tibia, and an upper mounting portion at a proximal end. The extra-medullary portion has a pair of spaced apart malleoli clamping elements with a size and/or relative position that is patient-specific for engaging respective ones of the lateral and medial malleoli. The upper mounting portion including a base body connected to a proximal end of the elongated rod and a surgical guide having guide openings extending therethrough and anchor element(s) on the upper mounting portion in locations adapted to overlay a peripheral contour of the tibia. The peripheral contour of the tibia including an anterior surface of the proximal tibia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Pierre COUTURE, Trong Tin NGUYEN, Anselm Jakob NEUROHR, Jean-Sébastien MERETTE
  • Patent number: 10327786
    Abstract: Patient-specific instrumentation for use when performing articular joint repair is provided. A patient-specific jig is adapted to be positioned over a bone at an articular surface thereof for assisting in preparing the bone surface for reception of a prosthesis. The jig comprises a bone contacting portion adapted to matingly contact a portion of the articular surface of the bone and a cutting slot adapted to receive therein a saw blade for resecting the articular surface of the bone. The cutting slot may be press-fitted into the opening of a cut guide. A patient-specific plate and a patient-specific rotational guide are also provided for guiding a positioning of the prosthesis over the resected surface of the bone. A method for manufacturing the patient-specific jig is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Couture, Trong Tin Nguyen, Anselm Jakob Neurohr, Jean-Sebastien Merette, Jean-Guillaume Abiven, Alain Richard
  • Publication number: 20190175277
    Abstract: A system for creating at least one model of a bone and implanted implant comprises a processing unit; and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: obtaining at least one image of at least part of a bone and of an implanted implant on the bone, the at least one image being patient specific, obtaining a virtual model of the implanted implant using an identity of the implanted implant, overlaying the virtual model of the implanted implant on the at least one image to determine a relative orientation of the implanted implant relative to the bone in the at least one image, and generating and outputting a current bone and implant model using the at least one image, the virtual model of the implanted implant and the overlaying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Ramnada CHAV, Jean-Sebastien MERETTE, Tin NGUYEN, Karine DUVAL, Pierre COUTURE