Abstract: An ultrasound cover for use with an ultrasound imaging system, a method of examining a patient with ultrasound, and an ultrasound diagnostic system. The ultrasound cover includes a central layer configured to conform to a shape of a patient's body and a plurality of ultrasound sensors positioned within the central layer. The ultrasound cover is positioned on a patent to be examined and conformed to the shape of the patient's body. RF ultrasound signals are acquired from the plurality of sensors and a 3-D model of the patient created from extracted echoes. The cover may be used with a diagnostic system that includes a computer configured to compare ultrasound data to a orthopedic-specific dataset to locate bony boundaries.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis for a tibia and femur can include a tibial component, a tibial bearing, and a post. The tibial bearing can include a first bearing portion, a second bearing portion, and an aperture. The first bearing portion can be positionable on a first side of the sagittal axis and can have a first shape. The second bearing portion can be positionable on a second side can have a second shape different than the first shape. The post, together with the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion, can be configured to promote the femur to pivot substantially about the first bearing portion.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis for a tibia and femur can include a tibial component, a tibial bearing, and a post. The tibial bearing can include a first bearing portion, a second bearing portion, and an aperture. The first bearing portion can be positionable on a first side of the sagittal axis and can have a first shape. The second bearing portion can be positionable on a second side can have a second shape different than the first shape. The post, together with the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion, can be configured to promote the femur to pivot substantially about the first bearing portion.

Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Pluripotent stem cells, other cells, and biologic constituents of the dental pulp may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the pluripotent stem cells, other cells, and biologic constituents of the dental pulp can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.

Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Pluripotent stem cells, other cells, and biologic constituents of the dental pulp may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the pluripotent stem cells, other cells, and biologic constituents of the dental pulp can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants and methods of rapid manufacturing orthopedic implants using in vivo data specific to an orthopedic implant or orthopedic trial. Specifically, the instant disclosure utilizes permanent orthopedic implants and orthopedic trials (collectively, “implants”) outfitted with kinematic sensors to provide feedback regarding the kinematics of the trial or implant to discern which implant is preferable, and thereafter rapid manufacturing the implant.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants and methods of rapid manufacturing orthopedic implants using in vivo data specific to an orthopedic implant or orthopedic trial. Specifically, the instant disclosure utilizes permanent orthopedic implants and orthopedic trials (collectively, “implants”) outfitted with kinematic sensors to provide feedback regarding the kinematics of the trial or implant to discern which implant is preferable, and thereafter rapid manufacturing the implant.

Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis is disclosed. The knee joint prosthesis can include a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a spine. The tibial baseplate can include a tibial plateau, having a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, and a tibial stem extending from the distal surface of the tibial plateau. The tibial insert can be located on the proximal surface of the tibial plateau and can include an aperture. The spine can extend through the aperture of the tibial insert and into a cavity of the tibial stem, from the proximal surface of the tibial plateau. The spine can be rotatable with respect to the tibial baseplate and the tibial insert. The knee joint prosthesis can further include a femoral component including a posteriorly-located femoral cam. The posteriorly-located femoral cam can engage the spine during movement of the knee joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation into a mammalian body, the device comprising: (a) a prosthesis for implantation into a mammalian body that includes a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors mounted to the prosthesis; and (b) an electronics structure for receiving signals from the sensor array and wirelessly transmitting representative signals to a remote receiver, where the plurality of sensors are operative to sense pressure, applied to the prosthesis by another object, in at least two axes generally perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis is disclosed. The knee joint prosthesis can include a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a spine. The tibial baseplate can include a tibial plateau, having a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, and a tibial stem extending from the distal surface of the tibial plateau. The tibial insert can be located on the proximal surface of the tibial plateau and can include an aperture. The spine can extend through the aperture of the tibial insert and into a cavity of the tibial stem, from the proximal surface of the tibial plateau. The spine can be rotatable with respect to the tibial baseplate and the tibial insert. The knee joint prosthesis can further include a femoral component including a posteriorly-located femoral cam. The posteriorly-located femoral cam can engage the spine during movement of the knee joint prosthesis.

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: The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants and methods of rapid manufacturing orthopedic implants using in vivo data specific to an orthopedic implant or orthopedic trial. Specifically, the instant disclosure utilizes permanent orthopedic implants and orthopedic trials (collectively, “implants”) outfitted with kinematic sensors to provide feedback regarding the kinematics of the trial or implant to discern which implant is preferable, and thereafter rapid manufacturing the implant.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis is disclosed. The knee joint prosthesis can include a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a spine. The tibial baseplate can include a tibial plateau, having a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, and a tibial stem extending from the distal surface of the tibial plateau. The tibial insert can be located on the proximal surface of the tibial plateau and can include an aperture. The spine can extend through the aperture of the tibial insert and into a cavity of the tibial stem, from the proximal surface of the tibial plateau. The spine can be rotatable with respect to the tibial baseplate and the tibial insert. The knee joint prosthesis can further include a femoral component including a posteriorly-located femoral cam. The posteriorly-located femoral cam can engage the spine during movement of the knee joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants and methods of rapid manufacturing orthopedic implants using in vivo data specific to an orthopedic implant or orthopedic trial. Specifically, the instant disclosure utilizes permanent orthopedic implants and orthopedic trials (collectively, “implants”) outfitted with kinematic sensors to provide feedback regarding the kinematics or implant to discern which implant is preferable, and thereafter rapid manufacturing the implant.

Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Abstract: A reconfigurable orthopedic implant trial comprising: (a) a first orthopedic component; (b) a second orthopedic component that includes a second sensor on a second articulating surface thereof, the second orthopedic component configured to removably mount to the first orthopedic component; (c) a third orthopedic component that includes a third sensor on a third articulating surface thereof, the third orthopedic component configured to removably mount to the first orthopedic component, where the second sensor and the third sensor are configured to generate kinematic data.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis is disclosed. The knee joint prosthesis can include a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a spine. The tibial baseplate can include a tibial plateau, having a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, and a tibial stem extending from the distal surface of the tibial plateau. The tibial insert can be located on the proximal surface of the tibial plateau and can include an aperture. The spine can extend through the aperture of the tibial insert and into a cavity of the tibial stem, from the proximal surface of the tibial plateau. The spine can be rotatable with respect to the tibial baseplate and the tibial insert. The knee joint prosthesis can further include a femoral component including a posteriorly-located femoral cam. The posteriorly-located femoral cam can engage the spine during movement of the knee joint prosthesis.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis is disclosed. The knee joint prosthesis can include a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a spine. The tibial baseplate can include a tibial plateau, having a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, and a tibial stem extending from the distal surface of the tibial plateau. The tibial insert can be located on the proximal surface of the tibial plateau and can include an aperture. The spine can extend through the aperture of the tibial insert and into a cavity of the tibial stem, from the proximal surface of the tibial plateau. The spine can be rotatable with respect to the tibial baseplate and the tibial insert. The knee joint prosthesis can further include a femoral component including a posteriorly-located femoral cam. The posteriorly-located femoral cam can engage the spine during movement of the knee joint prosthesis.