Abstract: A computer-assisted external fixation apparatus and method comprises an external fixation application for assisting, guiding, and planning an external fixation procedure. The external fixation application cooperates with a tracking system to acquire kinematic data corresponding to a selected joint during manipulation of the selected joint and/or acquire image data of patient anatomy and determine a kinematic parameter for the selected joint using the kinematic and/or image data, such as an axis of rotation or plane of movement. The external fixation application may then be used with the tracking system to provide real-time alignment information for alignment of an external fixator based on the information associated with the determined kinematic parameter.

Abstract: A computer-assisted knee replacement apparatus and method comprises a total knee replacement application for assisting, guiding, and planning a total knee replacement procedure. The apparatus and method cooperates with a tracking system to determine implant sizing and location. The apparatus and method also cooperates with the tracking system to determine required tibial and femoral preparation corresponding to the implant size and location and provides real-time monitoring of the tibial and femoral surface preparation procedures.

Abstract: A system and method for providing computer assistance for performing a medical procedure, for example spinal fixation, provides a graphical user interface to guide and/or assist a user, for example a surgeon, performing the medical procedure, whether surgical or non-surgical. The computer-assisted system comprises a software application, for example a spinal fixation application, that may be used for a medical procedure, for example spine linking, etc.

Abstract: Morphing or fitting a brain atlas to a diagnostic image data set of the patient, or to a patient registered to the brain atlas, is enhanced using measurements of one or more physical characteristics of the brain taken with the aid of an instrument as it is being inserted into the brain. The measurements are then compared against known physical characteristics of certain brain structures, thus permitting correlation of the measured physical characteristic to a brain structure. The brain atlas then may be morphed or deformed so that the identified brain structure in the atlas is at or near the position at which the measurement was taken, as known from the tracked position of the instrument.

Abstract: An integrated computer, a display device and a keyboard for computer surgery applications is disclosed. The display device is coupled to a computer case by a bracket. One end of the bracket is coupled to the computer case by a hinge and the other end of the bracket is coupled to a back surface of the display device by another hinge.

Abstract: It is often desirable to define objects with respect to images of an anatomy displayed using an image guided surgery system. For non-trivial objects, or those with complicated two or three dimensional forms, it may be difficult to present information in a manner that is simple for a user to understand. The local distance to a surface of interest, such as the surface of the defined object, or to a desired position, the local penetration distance of the surface of interest, or haptic repulsion force, often provides the most useful information for augmenting the interaction of the user with the image guided surgery system. The scalar value of the local distance may be conveyed to the user by visual, audio, tactile, haptic, or other means.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, attractive haptic objects are associated with a target region for performing a medical procedure and repulsive haptic objects are associated with anatomical features to be avoided during the medical procedure. A surgeon may perform surgical planning by moving the haptic device around. The surgeon moves the haptic device until a pose is found where haptic cues from the attractive haptic objects are active indicating that a medical device if attached to the haptic device would reach the target region, and haptic cues from the repulsive haptic objects are inactive indicating that the medical device would not penetrate any of the anatomical features to be avoided. During the planning process a virtual tool may be displayed on a display device to indicate the position and/or movement of the medical device if the medical device had been coupled to the haptic device.

Abstract: A registration artifact (10) for use in registering two or more fluoroscopic images includes a plurality of radio opaque spheres (12, 14, 16) and a plurality of trackable markers, such as optical reflectors (20, 22, 24 and 26), mounted to a radio transparent body (11). A tracking system locates the position of registrable artifact using the trackable markers for registering the fluoroscopic images with respect to a known frame of reference.