Abstract: A method of navigating a surgical saw with a navigation system having a navigation processor. The method comprising attaching a saw blade to a head of the surgical saw and determining a position of the surgical saw. The method also comprises touching a tracked pointer to one or more reference points on the saw blade and tracking the position and orientation of the tracked pointer as the tracked pointer is touched to the one or more reference points on the saw blade. The method further comprises determining an angular orientation of the saw blade based on the tracked pointer and the one or more reference points on the saw blade, and the navigation system determining the position and orientation of the saw blade relative to saw based on the position and orientation of the saw, the angular orientation of the saw blade, and a characteristic of the saw blade.

Abstract: A method of navigating a surgical saw with a navigation system having a navigation processor. The method comprising attaching a saw blade to a head of the surgical saw and determining a position of the surgical saw. The method also comprises touching a tracked pointer to one or more reference points on the saw blade and tracking the position and orientation of the tracked pointer as the tracked pointer is touched to the one or more reference points on the saw blade. The method further comprises determining an angular orientation of the saw blade based on the tracked pointer and the one or more reference points on the saw blade, and the navigation system determining the position and orientation of the saw blade relative to saw based on the position and orientation of the saw, the angular orientation of the saw blade, and a characteristic of the saw blade.

Abstract: A cutting system including a surgical saw and a blade assembly is described. The blade assembly may comprising a blade bar, a blade head, and a tag. The tag may comprise a memory containing data related to one or more characteristics of the blade assembly. The surgical saw may comprise a saw processor for receiving data from the tag of the blade assembly and be configured to regulate the operation of the saw based on the one or more characteristics of the blade assembly. The one or more characteristic of the blade assembly comprises may comprise a blade assembly length, a blade geometry, and a blade teeth geometry. A method of navigating a surgical saw is also described. The method may comprise attaching a blade to the saw, touching a pointer to reference points on the blade, and determining the position and orientation of a distal end of 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: Plural medical device formed from one or more layers of thin film polymer are assembled from a single polymer coupon. Initially the coupon is bonded to a rigid substrate. Force, heat and a suction are selectively applied to the coupon to ensure that it has a consistent height across its exposed surface. Once the polymer coupon is bonded the components forming the medical device are attached to the coupon and the coupon is shaped to form the individual medical devices. Shaped sections of the coupon are then lifted off the rigid backing. The lifted off sections on which the components were attached are the medical devices.

Abstract: A cutting system including a surgical saw and a blade assembly is described. The blade assembly may comprising a blade bar, a blade head, and a tag. The tag may comprise a memory containing data related to one or more characteristics of the blade assembly. The surgical saw may comprise a saw processor for receiving data from the tag of the blade assembly and be configured to regulate the operation of the saw based on the one or more characteristics of the blade assembly. The one or more characteristic of the blade assembly comprises may comprise a blade assembly length, a blade geometry, and a blade teeth geometry. A method of navigating a surgical saw is also described. The method may comprise attaching a blade to the saw, touching a pointer to reference points on the blade, and determining the position and orientation of a distal end of the blade.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade is described comprising an elongated blade bar having opposed plates. The blade bar has opposed proximal and distal sections, with the proximal section having a feature for releasably holding the blade bar to a powered surgical sagittal saw. The blade bar plates are spaced apart from each other to form a void space and a primary opening into the void space. A blade head of the surgical saw blade has a base disposed in the blade bar distal section opening that is pivotally mounted in the blade bar distal section void space, and a crown integral with the base that extends through and outside of the blade bar distal section primary opening, the crown being formed with teeth, wherein a thickness of the crown is greater than a thickness of the base to allow the insertion of the blade bar into a kerf cut.

Abstract: A method of forming an implantable electrode array that includes one or more packaged control modules. A control module is packaged by mounting the module to a substrate and forming a containment ring around the module. A conformal coating is disposed over the surface of the module to cover the carrier. Within the containment ring, the conformal coating hardens to form a non-porous shell around the control module. The one or more packaged control modules are placed in a flexible array. Electrodes that are mounted to or embedded in the flexible carrier are connected to the one or more control modules.

Abstract: A surgical saw blade is described comprising an elongated blade bar having opposed plates. The blade bar has opposed proximal and distal sections, with the proximal section having a feature for releasably holding the blade bar to a powered surgical sagittal saw. The blade bar plates are spaced apart from each other to form a void space and a primary opening into the void space. A blade head of the surgical saw blade has a base disposed in the blade bar distal section opening that is pivotally mounted in the blade bar distal section void space, and a crown integral with the base that extends through and outside of the blade bar distal section primary opening, the crown being formed with teeth, wherein a thickness of the crown is greater than a thickness of the base to allow the insertion of the blade bar into a kerf cut.

Abstract: A method of forming an implantable electrode array that includes one or more packaged control modules. A control module is packaged by mounting the module to a substrate and forming a containment ring around the module. A conformal coating is disposed over the surface of the module to cover the carrier. Within the containment ring, the conformal coating hardens to form a non-porous shell around the control module. The one or more packaged control modules are placed in a flexible array. Electrodes that are mounted to or embedded in the flexible carrier are connected to the one or more control modules.

Abstract: Plural medical device formed from one or more layers of thin film polymer are assembled from a single polymer coupon. Initially the coupon is bonded to a rigid substrate. Force, heat and a suction are selectively applied to the coupon to ensure that it has a consistent height across its exposed surface. Once the polymer coupon is bonded the components forming the medical device are attached to the coupon and the coupon is shaped to form the individual medical devices. Shaped sections of the coupon are then lifted off the rigid backing. The lifted off sections on which the components were attached are the medical devices.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar, an oscillating blade head and at least one drive rod disposed in the blade bar that pivots the blade head. The blade bar is formed with an opening located proximal to the distal end of the blade. A finger connected to a distal end of the drive rod is located above the drive rod so as to be seated in the opening in the blade bar. The finger extends forward of the drive rod over a base section of the blade head. A pin that extends from the finger pivotally connects the blade head to the finger and, by extension, to the drive rod.

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: Plural medical device formed from one or more layers of thin film polymer are assembled from a single polymer coupon. Initially the coupon is bonded to a rigid substrate. Force, heat and a suction are selectively applied to the coupon to ensure that it has a consistent height across its exposed surface. Once the polymer coupon is bonded the components forming the medical device are attached to the coupon and the coupon is shaped to form the individual medical devices. Shaped sections of the coupon are then lifted off the rigid backing. The lifted off sections on which the components were attached are the medical devices.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar, an oscillating blade head and at least one drive rod disposed in the blade bar that pivots the blade head. The blade bar is formed with an opening located proximal to the distal end of the blade. A finger connected to a distal end of the drive rod is located above the drive rod so as to be seated in the opening in the blade bar. The finger extends forward of the drive rod over a base section of the blade head.

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: Plural medical device formed from one or more layers of thin film polymer are assembled from a single polymer coupon. Initially the coupon is bonded to a rigid substrate. Force, heat and a suction are selectively applied to the coupon to ensure that it has a consistent height across its exposed surface. Once the polymer coupon is bonded the components forming the medical device are attached to the coupon and the coupon is shaped to form the individual medical devices. Shaped sections of the coupon are then lifted off the rigid backing. The lifted off sections on which the components were attached are the medical devices.

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.