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 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 coupling rod is able to be mounted to the head to move along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The coupling rod has a head that, as result of the longitudinal movement of the rod is moved towards and away from the head. A blade assembly may be disposed on the saw head adjacent the coupling rod. The coupling rod can be positioned in a run state so that the rod head abuts the bar of the blade assembly so as to hold the blade assembly to the saw head. Alternatively, the coupling rod can be repositioned in a load state the rod head is spaced from the saw head. This allows the blade assembly to be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A fiber optic tracking sensor includes an outer tube, a plurality of optical fibers within the outer tube and including a central optical fiber and a plurality of additional optical fibers, and one or more structural members within the outer tube and configured to provide a spacing between the plurality of optical fibers such that the central optical fiber is positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the outer tube and the plurality of additional optical fibers are spaced apart from one another and from the central optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic tracking sensor includes an outer tube, a plurality of optical fibers within the outer tube and including a central optical fiber and a plurality of additional optical fibers, and one or more structural members within the outer tube and configured to provide a spacing between the plurality of optical fibers such that the central optical fiber is positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the outer tube and the plurality of additional optical fibers are spaced apart from one another and from the central optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic tracking sensor includes at least three optical fibers, each optical fiber having a plurality of fiber optic sensors along a length of a sensing portion of the sensor. A shape-memory member is coupled to the three optical fibers and provides support to the sensor. The at least three optical fibers are arranged in a spaced apart relationship, each offset from a central longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: Delivery systems and methods for delivering a material to a target site. A delivery instrument is coupled to a robotic manipulator and includes a delivery device with a distal tip having an opening to deliver the material to the target site. Controller(s) obtain a virtual model of the target site and a virtual boundary associated with the virtual model. The controller(s) register, using a navigation system, the virtual model and the virtual boundary to the target site and control the robotic manipulator to move the distal tip of the delivery device with respect to the target site. The controller(s) detect that distal tip of the delivery device either is, or will, interact with the virtual boundary, and in response, control the robotic manipulator to move the distal tip away from the virtual boundary.

Abstract: A delivery system and methods are disclosed for delivering a material to a target site. A delivery instrument is coupled to a robotic manipulator and comprises a delivery device having a distal tip comprising an opening deliver the material to the target site through the opening. A navigation system tracks the delivery device and the target site and generates position signals. One or more controllers are in communication with the robotic manipulator and the navigation system and define a virtual boundary associated with the target site, wherein the virtual boundary is utilized to constrain movement of the delivery device. The one or more controllers control one or more joint motors of the robotic manipulator to move the distal tip of the delivery device with respect to the virtual boundary based on the position signals from the navigation system.

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 coupling rod is able to be mounted to the head to move along the longitudinal axis of the rod. The coupling rod has a head that, as result of the longitudinal movement of the rod is moved towards and away from the head. A blade assembly may be disposed on the saw head adjacent the coupling rod. The coupling rod can be positioned in a run state so that the rod head abuts the bar of the blade assembly so as to hold the blade assembly to the saw head. Alternatively, the coupling rod can be repositioned in a load state the rod head is spaced from the saw head. This allows the blade assembly to be removed and replaced.

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: The saw blade comprising a bar and a blade. The distal end of the bar formed with a distal end opening and a discharge port formed in at least one of the top and bottom faces that opens into the distal end opening, the discharge port for discharging debris. The bar is formed with a geometric feature for receiving a coupling member to hold the bar to the saw, the geometric feature being an opening that extends through the bar. The blade having a blade base disposed in the distal end opening of the bar and a blade crown that extends forward from the blade base and forward of the distal end of the bar.

Abstract: The saw blade comprising a bar and a blade. The distal end of the bar formed with a distal end opening and a discharge port formed in at least one of the top and bottom faces that opens into the distal end opening, the discharge port for discharging debris. The bar is formed with a geometric feature for receiving a coupling member to hold the bar to the saw, the geometric feature being an opening that extends through the bar. The blade having a blade base disposed in the distal end opening of the bar and a blade crown that extends forward from the blade base and forward of the distal end of the bar.

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 fiber optic tracking sensor includes at least three optical fibers, each optical fiber having a plurality of fiber optic sensors along a length of a sensing portion of the sensor. A shape-memory member is coupled to the three optical fibers and provides support to the sensor. The at least three optical fibers are arranged in a spaced apart relationship, each offset from a central longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A delivery system and methods are disclosed for delivering a material to a target site. A delivery instrument is coupled to a robotic manipulator and comprises a delivery device having a distal tip comprising an opening deliver the material to the target site through the opening. A navigation system tracks the delivery device and the target site and generates position signals. One or more controllers are in communication with the robotic manipulator and the navigation system and define a virtual boundary associated with the target site, wherein the virtual boundary is utilized to constrain movement of the delivery device. The one or more controllers control one or more joint motors of the robotic manipulator to move the distal tip of the delivery device with respect to the virtual boundary based on the position signals from the navigation system.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array is provided that includes a carrier that is flexible. At least one control module is coupled to the carrier. A shell encases the control module. At least one electrode is coupled to the carrier and is electrically connected to the control module.

Abstract: Delivery systems include a delivery instrument and a delivery device removably attached to the delivery instrument. A plurality of actuators are operable to position an opening of the delivery device with respect to the target site. A material supply system supplies the material to the delivery device. A navigation system tracks the target site and the opening as the target site moves during the procedure and as the opening moves during the procedure. A controller controls movement of the opening and/or flow rate of the material to achieve desired delivery of the material at the target site using various methods.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode array is provided. The electrode array is configured to be applied against living tissue. The method comprises providing a flexible sheet that has a plurality of conductors. A plurality of integrated circuits are mounted to the flexible sheet so that the plurality of integrated circuits are bonded to the plurality of conductors. Electrodes are provided over the plurality of integrated circuits.

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: An electrode array with a flexible array substrate on which plural spaced apart electrodes are disposed. Integrated circuits are disposed in the array substrate. The integrated circuits are mounted to package substrates. The package substrates are more rigid than the array substrate. Internal to each package substrate is at least one electrical conductor. The electrical conductor extends from a bond pad integral with integrated circuit at least partially through the package substrate. The electrical conductor functions as the conductive member that extends between the integrated circuit an electrode with which the integrated circuit is associated.