Abstract: A modular system facilitates packaging, marking, handling, sterilizing, tracking, tagging and storing small components such as surgical screws. A small, suitably cylindrical or similar cell receives a screw or other component and seats the component in a predetermined orientation. A complementary cap is adapted to engage the cell from above, closing the top and retaining the component in the cell. The cap is also adapted for use as a tool for handling the cell and the component contained therein. A coupling between the cell and the cap allows the cap to be snapped securely on the cell under manual pressure; the coupling is further adapted to release on application of sufficient bending moment across the co-axis of the cell and cap.

Abstract: The invention includes both a method for acquiring the position of a patient's anterior pelvic plane, and a patient positioner or holder (apparatus) for securing a patient and acquiring the position of the patient's anterior pelvic plane. The method and apparatus facilitate definition of the anterior pelvic plane (APP) in the context of computer assisted hip surgery.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of determining a surgical patient's pelvic position and inputting that position into a computer via a tracking system, suitable for use in navigating partial or total hip replacement surgery. The patient is first aligned with anatomical reference points in relation to corresponding locating features on a patient positioner. The positions of index features on the patient positioner are then acquired via a tracking system. Based on the positions of the index features and their known relationship to the locating features, the locations of the anatomical reference features are calculated and a pelvic plane is defined therefrom. The invention also includes a surgical tool for mounting a trackable target to a human bone, suitable for fixation to a human femur. This tool includes a removable bone clamp and a releasable coupling member, integrated with said removable bone clamp.

Abstract: A surgical tool for mounting a trackable target to a human bone, suitable for fixation to a human femur. The tool includes a removable bone clamp and a releasable coupling member which is integrated with the removable bone clamp. The releasable coupling member is arranged to mate with a compatible coupling member mounted on the trackable target to establish a predetermined spatial relationship between the bone clamp and trackable target. The releasable and compatible coupling members form a releasable connection which is mechanically constrained to re-engage only in a re-engaged position that accurately recaptures the predetermined spatial relationship.

Abstract: The invention includes both a method for acquiring the position of a patient's anterior pelvic plane, and a patient positioner or holder (apparatus) for securing a patient and acquiring the position of the patient's anterior pelvic plane. The method and apparatus facilitate definition of the anterior pelvic plane (APP) in the context of computer assisted hip surgery.

Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: The invention includes: a locating system; a computer, interfaced to the locating system and interpreting the positions of tracked objects in a generic computer model of a patient's hip geometry; a software module, executable on the computer, which defines the patient's pelvic plane without reference to previously obtained radiological data, by locating at least three pelvic landmarks; and a pelvic tracking marker, fixable to the pelvic bone and trackable by the locating system, to track in real time the orientation of the defined pelvic plane. Preferably, the system also includes a femoral tracking marker, securely attachable to a femur of the patient by a non-penetrating ligature and trackable by the locating system to detect changes in leg length and femoral offset.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and system for intra-operative navigation of a joint replacement operation, without recourse to pre-operative imagery of pre-operative computerized simulations. Trackable markers and a locating system are employed to track first and second bones. A computer receives positional information regarding the trackable markers and calculates (predicts) at least one suggested combination of components of a modular implant system to produce a desired post-operative skeletal relationship.

Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: A humidity control method and apparatus that can be utilized to provide humidity control within an enclosed assembly such as a disc drive. The apparatus includes a container that is at least partially formed of a material through which water vapor can freely move. The apparatus also includes a humidity-controlling mixture that comprises at least one salt and a superabsorbent polymer. The humidity-controlling mixture is enclosed within the container.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of determining a surgical patient's pelvic position and inputting that position into a computer via a tracking system, suitable for use in navigating partial or total hip replacement surgery. The patient is first aligned with anatomical reference points in relation to corresponding locating features on a patient positioner. The positions of index features on the patient positioner are then acquired via a tracking system. Based on the positions of the index features and their known relationship to the locating features, the locations of the anatomical reference features are calculated and a pelvic plane is defined therefrom. The invention also includes a surgical tool for mounting a trackable target to a human bone, suitable for fixation to a human femur. This tool includes a removable bone clamp and a releasable coupling member, integrated with said removable bone clamp.

Abstract: The invention includes both a method for acquiring the position of a patient's anterior pelvic plane, and a patient positioner or holder (apparatus) for securing a patient and acquiring the position of the patient's anterior pelvic plane. The method and apparatus facilitate definition of the anterior pelvic plane (APP) in the context of computer assisted hip surgery.

Abstract: The invention includes: a locating system; a computer, interfaced to the locating system and interpreting the positions of tracked objects in a generic computer model of a patient's hip geometry; a software module, executable on the computer, which defines the patient's pelvic plane without reference to previously obtained radiological data, by locating at least three pelvic landmarks; and a pelvic tracking marker, fixable to the pelvic bone and trackable by the locating system, to track in real time the orientation of the defined pelvic plane. Preferably, the system also includes a femoral tracking marker, securely attachable to a femur of the patient by a non-penetrating ligature and trackable by the locating system to detect changes in leg length and femoral offset.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of determining a surgical patient's pelvic position and inputting that position into a computer via a tracking system, suitable for use in navigating partial or total hip replacement surgery. The patient is first aligned with anatomical reference points in relation to corresponding locating features on a patient positioner. The positions of index features on the patient positioner are then acquired via a tracking system. Based on the positions of the index features and their known relationship to the locating features, the locations of the anatomical reference features are calculated and a pelvic plane is defined therefrom. The invention also includes a surgical tool for mounting a trackable target to a human bone, suitable for fixation to a human femur. This tool includes a removable bone clamp and a releasable coupling member, integrated with said removable bone clamp.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and system for intra-operative navigation of a joint replacement operation, without recourse to pre-operative imagery of pre-operative computerized simulations. Trackable markers and a locating system are employed to track first and second bones. A computer receives positional information regarding the trackable markers and calculates (predicts) at least one suggested combination of components of a modular implant system to produce a desired post-operative skeletal relationship.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cardcage design. The improvements result from the formation of an integral cardcage side using a construction method involving precision punched sheet aluminum that is precision formed into final configuration. The integral cardcage side design provides ease of assembly for the cardcage while enhancing structural integrity, improves the alignment of circuit cards within the cardcage to the backplane, increases the airflow channels between the card guides, and adapts to incorporate additional features for airflow control. The manufacturability of the cardcage is greatly simplified by reducing the number of parts requiring assembly and by the use of simple and inexpensive tools and assembly techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of quickly and easily grasping and releasing a graft. The apparatus includes a sleeve with an opening through the axis of the sleeve. Within the opening of the sleeve is a shaft with a jaw on one end, and a threaded end on the opposite end. The sleeve has a square tip end that is adjacent to the jaw of the shaft. Furthermore, the shaft near the jaw has a square cross-section so that the shaft is substantially prevented from rotating but allowed to move axially along the opening of the sleeve. A knob is also rotatably coupled to the opening of the sleeve on the opposite end of the tip end. The knob has a protruding end which has an outer thread on the surface of the protruding end and a center thread. The outer thread of the protruding end is adapted to rotatably couple to the opening on the sleeve, and the center thread of the protruding end is adapted to rotatably couple to the threaded end of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cardcage design. The improvements result from the formation of an integral cardcage side using a construction method involving precision punched sheet aluminum that is precision formed into final configuration. The integral cardcage side design provides ease of assembly for the cardcage while enhancing structural integrity, improves the alignment of circuit cards within the cardcage to the backplane, increases the airflow channels between the card guides, and adapts to incorporate additional features for airflow control. The manufacturability of the cardcage is greatly simplified by reducing the number of parts requiring assembly and by the use of simple and inexpensive tools and assembly techniques.

Abstract: A hermetic connector for use with a closed compartment includes a connector body having a mounting plate that overlaps an opening in the closed compartment. Electrical or optical connections are made between the internal and external sides of the compartment by a pair of mating connectors each having a contact area. The contact area includes a plurality of single piece pins or a socket connecting to similar pins of the mating connector. The hermetic connector further includes an o-ring seal surrounding one of the connectors and squeezed between the connector body and the interior side of the closed compartment. A plurality of mounting screws extend through mounting holes of the connector body for attachment of the connector to the closed compartment.