Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode array can be disposed in an access cannula that has a diameter less than the width of the unfolded array.

Abstract: An implantable medical device formed from one or more layers of thin film polymer is assembled by providing by adhesively securely one or more polymer coupons on individual rigid backings. After each coupon is shaped or components mounted to the coupon, the coupons are bonded together. The adhesive is dissolved to remove the device from the backing or backings to which it is attached.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. The stem is formed with a section of reduced tensile strength. Once the procedure is completed, a force is applied to the marker. The force breaks the stem at the separation zone. This allows the portion of the marker above the separation zone to be removed.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array that includes a carrier on which multiple spaced apart electrodes are disposed. Embedded in the module are control modules. The control modules are contained in packages. Portions of the packages extend outwardly from the carrier so as to be disposed against adjacent surfaces of the carrier. The packages contain conductive tracts that provide conductive links from the conductors internal to the carrier to the packaged control modules.

Abstract: A sensor assembly comprises a base plate and a sensor member displaceable relative to the base plate. A spring arrangement operates in first and second stages in response to displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate. Different resolutions of force and torque measurements are associated with the first and second stages. A light sensitive transducer senses displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate and generates corresponding output signals. A collimator directs a plurality of light beams onto the light sensitive transducer so that the light beams strike different pixels of the light sensitive transducer to sense displacement of the sensor member relative to the base plate.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw for use with a complementary blade assembly that includes a static bar. The saw includes a head over which the blade assembly bar is seated. A biasing member mounted to the saw head normally places a force of the blade assembly bar that urges the bar away from the blade head. A coupling assembly releasably holds the blade assembly bar in the static state to the saw head. When the coupling assembly is in the run state, holding the blade assembly to the saw head, the coupling assembly does so in opposition to the force the biasing assembly exerts against the blade assembly bar. During the process of removing the blade assembly from the saw, the force of the biasing assembly assists in the removal of the blade assembly bar from the saw head.

Abstract: An implantable medical device formed from one or more layers of thin film polymer is assembled by providing by adhesively securely one or more polymer coupons on individual rigid backings. After each coupon is shaped or components mounted to the coupon, the coupons are bonded together. The adhesive is dissolved to remove the device from the backing or backings to which it is attached.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode carrying tabs extend beyond the bent beams.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem or a spike that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. Once the procedure is completed the marker is removed from the patient by breaking the head free from the stem Alternatively the head may be rotated to cause the whole of the marker to break free from the bone in which the marker is implanted.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar and to which a blade head is mounted. Distal from the proximal end of the blade bar, the sides of the bar taper outwardly. These outer taper sides facilitate the coupling of the blade bar to the complementary saw used to actuate the blade.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar shaped to be coupled to a sagittal saw. At least one drive rod extends through the bar. The drive rod is moveable within the blade bar. A blade crown, located outside the distal end opening of the blade bar is connected to the drive rod. The actuation of the drive rod by the saw results in the oscillation of the blade crown. Proximal to the distal end of the blade bar, the bar is formed with secondary openings. When the drive rod and blade crown are actuated, tissue entrained in the blade bar is discharged from the secondary openings.

Abstract: In a method of assembling a surgical saw blade assembly with an blade bar that contains an oscillating head, the blade bar is formed from opposed plates. One of the plates is punch stamped to define a boss around which blade head pivots. The plates are secured to one another in a series of steps in which spaced apart sections of the plates are welded together.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem or a spike that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. Once the procedure is completed the marker is removed from the patient by breaking the head free from the stem Alternatively the head may be rotated to cause the whole of the marker to break free from the bone in which the marker is implanted.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode carrying tabs extend beyond the bent beams.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar shaped to be coupled to a sagittal saw. At least one drive rod extends through the bar. The drive rod is moveable within the blade bar. A blade crown, located outside the distal end opening of the blade bar is connected to the drive rod. The actuation of the drive rod by the saw results in the oscillation of the blade crown. Proximal to the distal end of the blade bar, the bar is formed with secondary openings. When the drive rod and blade crown are actuated, tissue entrained in the blade bar is discharged from the secondary openings.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar and to which a blade head is mounted. Distal from the proximal end of the blade bar, the sides of the bar taper outwardly. These outer taper sides facilitate the coupling of the blade bar to the complementary saw used to actuate the blade.

Abstract: A method of assembling an implantable electrode array from a coupon (108) formed from plastically deformable material. Layers of material are disposed on the coupon to form the electrodes (48) and conductors (62) of one or more electrode arrays. Sections of the coupon on which the electrodes and conductors are removed, along with the electrodes and conductors to form the electrode arrays. The removed sections of the coupon thus function as plastically deformable carriers (74) for the arrays (40).

Abstract: In a method of assembling a surgical saw blade assembly with an blade bar that contains an oscillating head, the blade bar is formed from opposed plates. One of the plates is punch stamped to define a boss around which blade head pivots. The plates are secured to one another in a series of steps in which spaced apart sections of the plates are welded together.

Abstract: A marker for use with a surgical navigation system for tracking the tissue with which the marker is associated. The overall dimensions of the mark is such that it is shaped to be disposed below the skin of the patient in which the marker is implanted. The marker has a stem or a spike that allows the marker to be implanted in hard tissue such as bone. A head, containing navigation system components is located above the stem or spike. Once the procedure is completed the marker is removed from the patient by breaking the head free from the stem Alternatively the head may be rotated to cause the whole of the marker to break free from the bone in which the marker is implanted.

Abstract: A hybrid surgical navigation system for tracking the position of body tissue. The system includes a marker shaped to be mounted subcutaneously to the tissue the position of which is to be tracked. A tracker located above skin level is placed near the marker. A first navigation system integral with the marker and tracker generate data indicating the position of the marker relative to the tracker. A second navigation monitors the position of the tracker. The tracker also includes a transmitter for transmitting data generated by the first navigation system. Based on the data generated by the first navigation system representative of the position of the marker relative to the tracker and the data from the second navigation system representative of the position of the tracker, the position of the marker and tissue to which it is attached is determined.