Abstract: A computer-assisted imaging and localization system assists the physician in positioning surgical effecters, such as implants, tools and instruments, within a surgical site in a patient's body. An image-guided intramedullary nail arrangement includes an intramedullary nail connected to a U-shaped drill guide. The body of the guide defines a plurality of thru-holes that are aligned with a plurality of openings in the nail, with the thru-holes acting as guides for conventional fasteners for engagement within the nail openings. The drill guide includes a tracking element fixed to the body of the guide that allows the position of the drill guide to be determined by a tracking system. The position of the intramedullary nail, and the plurality of openings, is determined by software based on the fixed geometry between the tracking element and the nail fastened to the drill guide.

Abstract: Methods are provided for planning, performing, and assessing of surgical correction to the spine during a spinal surgical procedure. These methods are implemented by a control unit through a GUI to digitize screw locations, digitize anatomical reference points, accept one or more correction inputs, and generate one or more rod solution outputs shaped to engage the screws at locations distinct from the originally digitized locations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for planning, performing, and assessing of surgical correction to the spine during a spinal surgical procedure. These methods are implemented by a control unit through a GUI to digitize screw locations, digitize anatomical reference points, accept one or more correction inputs, and generate one or more rod solution outputs shaped to engage the screws at locations distinct from the originally digitized locations.

Abstract: A surgical effecter, such as a tool, implant or instrument, or a tracking element mounted to the surgical effecter, includes an elongated shaft with a marker affixed thereon that is detectable by cameras or detectors of a localizer or tracking system configured to track the position and orientation of the effecter during a surgical procedure. The marker is wrapped around the circumference of the shaft and presents a top edge and a bottom edge that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a visible spiral edge extending from the top edge to the bottom edge.

Abstract: An adapter mounts a tracking target to an end fitting of an existing r instrument. The adapter includes A shaft having an engagement fitting at one end thereof that is configured the same as the end fitting of the existing instrument so that a handle can be mounted on the adapter instead of on the end fitting of the tool/instrument. The adapter shaft includes a collet that cooperates with a locking nut to clamp the collet onto the instrument shaft when the end fitting of the instrument is disposed within the collet. A tracking element is provided that is detectable by a tracking system to determine the position and orientation of the instrument. The tracking element includes a mounting feature that is configured to snap onto the adapter shaft at a known axial position thereon while permitting rotation of the tracking element about the longitudinal axis of the adapter shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.

Abstract: A method for acquiring an X-ray image of anatomical features and surgical effectors in a surgical space of a patient includes detecting a particular pose of a particular C-arm used to acquire the X-ray of the surgical space. Characterization parameters of the particular C-arm in the particular pose are determined and incorporated into equations implemented in imaging software that is operable to generate an image of the anatomical features and surgical effectors in the surgical space. When the live X-ray of the surgical space is acquired, the imaging software generates a live image of the anatomical features and surgical effectors as a function of the characterization parameters to account for potential deviations due to the pose of the C-arm. In another feature, a potential error in the imaging process can be visually or automatically detected.

Abstract: A computer-assisted imaging and localization system assists the physician in positioning surgical effecters, such as implants, tools and instruments, within a surgical site in a patient's body. An image-guided intramedullary nail arrangement includes an intramedullary nail connected to a U-shaped drill guide. The body of the guide defines a plurality of thru-holes that are aligned with a plurality of openings in the nail, with the thru-holes acting as guides for conventional fasteners for engagement within the nail openings. The drill guide includes a tracking element fixed to the body of the guide that allows the position of the drill guide to be determined by a tracking system. The position of the intramedullary nail, and the plurality of openings, is determined by software based on the fixed geometry between the tracking element and the nail fastened to the drill guide.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: A computer-assisted imaging and localization system assists the physician in positioning surgical effecters, such as implants, tools and instruments, within a surgical site in a patient's body. The system displays overlapping images—one image of the surgical site with the patient's anatomy and another image showing the surgical effecter(s). The overlapping image of the surgical effecter(s) is moved over the static image of the anatomy as the implant/instrument is moved. The movement of the surgical effecter(s) is determined in a three-dimensional coordinate system at a home base location in the patient's anatomy, which home base can be moved during the procedure without interrupting the displays of the overlapping images.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: A computer-assisted imaging and localization system assists the physician in positioning surgical effecters, such as implants, tools and instruments, within a surgical site in a patient’s body. The system displays overlapping images - one image of the surgical site with the patient’s anatomy and another image showing the surgical effecter(s). The overlapping image of the surgical effecter(s) is moved over the static image of the anatomy as the implant/instrument is moved. The movement of the surgical effecter(s) is determined in a three-dimensional coordinate system at a home base location in the patient’s anatomy, which home base can be moved during the procedure without interrupting the displays of the overlapping images.

Abstract: A computer-assisted imaging and localization system assists the physician in positioning surgical effecters, such as implants, tools and instruments, within a surgical site in a patient's body. The system displays overlapping images—one image of the surgical site with the patient's anatomy and another image showing the surgical effecter(s). The overlapping image of the surgical effecter(s) is moved over the static image of the anatomy as the implant/instrument is moved. The movement of the surgical effecter(s) is determined in a three-dimensional coordinate system at a home base location in the patient's anatomy, which home base can be moved during the procedure without interrupting the displays of the overlapping images.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the shape of a surgical linking device that is to be attached to a bony body structure such as the spinal column based on digitized locations of a plurality of attachment elements engaged to the bony structure. The method is implemented by a computer system through a GUI to generate an initial bend curve to mate with the plurality of attachment elements. The initial bend curve may be simplified based on user input to the GUI to reduce the number of bends necessary to produce a well-fitting linking device and may be altered to help obtain the goals of surgery.

Abstract: Methods are provided for planning, performing, and assessing of surgical correction to the spine during a spinal surgical procedure. These methods are implemented by a control unit through a GUI to digitize screw locations, digitize anatomical reference points, accept one or more correction inputs, and generate one or more rod solution outputs shaped to engage the screws at locations distinct from the originally digitized locations.