Abstract: A medical imaging device takes one or more images of the local anatomy of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. A surface model generator receives the one or more images and generates a 3-D surface model of the patient's anatomy. A fabrication device utilizes the 3-D surface model to fabricate a template custom designed to match the surface of the patient's anatomy. Attached to the template is a directional guide vane. The fabrication device is configured to create a template and directional guide vane such that, when the template is fitted to the patient's anatomy, the directional guide vane points along a predefined orientation relative to the patient's anatomy. A physician uses the directional guide vane as a visual guide or cue for installing an implantable prosthetic component during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus registers a patient's pelvis during surgery by establishing a patient-specific, supine pelvic reference plane. The apparatus may include an elongated support arm having three legs, at least two of which may be moveable along the arm. The first leg may contact the patient's right anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS), the second leg may contact the left ASIS, and the third leg may contact an anterior aspect of the ischium of the patient's pelvis below the acetabulum of the hip being operated on. The distances between the first leg and the second and third legs may be determined preoperatively so that the legs dock to the desired points. The apparatus may further include a direction indicator configured to point in a desired orientation for inserting an acetabular cup component in the patient's acetabulum.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate the planning and performance of hip and other surgeries. A computer model of a hip may be generated and displayed. A template of a hip component that replaces a native portion of the hip may be superimposed on the model. Changes in leg length, offset, or anterior-posterior (AP) position as well as a virtual distance between a landmark on the model and a location on the template may be determined. During surgery, a physical distance corresponding to the virtual distance may be obtained. The template may be moved relative to the model to match the physical distance, and new change values in leg length, offset, or anterior-posterior (AP) position may be determined. The new change values may be evaluated, and the surgery may proceed, or the process may be repeated using templates corresponding to alternative components.

Abstract: An apparatus registers a patient's pelvis during surgery by establishing a patient-specific, supine pelvic reference plane. The apparatus may include an elongated support arm having three legs, at least two of which may be moveable along the arm. The first leg may contact the patient's right anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS), the second leg may contact the left ASIS, and the third leg may contact an anterior aspect of the ischium of the patient's pelvis below the acetabulum of the hip being operated on. The distances between the first leg and the second and third legs may be determined preoperatively so that the legs dock to the desired points. The apparatus may further include a direction indicator configured to point in a desired orientation for inserting an acetabular cup component in the patient's acetabulum.

Abstract: An adapter for a tripodal stereotactic reference frame for use in arthroplastic surgery mounts a third leg of the frame at an angle with respect to the other two legs to facilitate use of said frame with varying surgical exposures.

Abstract: A medical imaging device takes one or more images of the local anatomy of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. A surface model generator receives the one or more images and generates a 3-D surface model of the patient's anatomy. A fabrication device utilizes the 3-D surface model to fabricate a template custom designed to match the surface of the patient's anatomy. Attached to the template is a directional guide vane. The fabrication device is configured to create a template and directional guide vane such that, when the template is fitted to the patient's anatomy, the directional guide vane points along a predefined orientation relative to the patient's anatomy. A physician uses the directional guide vane as a visual guide or cue for installing an implantable prosthetic component during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for use during hip surgery includes a position frame that is removably secured to the patient's femur. The system further includes a tracking unit and navigation engine that establish a pelvic coordinate system and, with the patient's leg placed in a predetermined orientation, capture the location of the femoral position frame within the pelvic coordinate system. The system further includes an image generator configured to display one or more images for directing the surgeon to return the patient's leg to the predetermined orientation following a trial reduction based upon the previously captured position. A leg change determination engine compares the current, post-reconstruction position of the femoral position tracking frame with the previously captured, pre-reconstruction position to derive leg length, offset, and anterior-posterior change values. The change values are then provided to the surgeon for evaluating the suitability of the trial reduction.

Abstract: An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tripod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior/inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a retractor body having a site portion and handle portion, and an impactor body on the retractor body. The impactor body is positioned and configured for use in impacting the site portion of the surgical site. An impaction axis of the impaction body is preferably substantially aligned with an axis of the site portion of the impactor body. The impactor body is preferably attached to the retractor body at a junction between the site portion and the handle portion of the retractor body. In one embodiment, the impactor portion is configured to selectively mate with an impactor extension member to thereby optionally receive direct impaction on the impactor portion or indirect impaction through the impactor extension member.

Abstract: An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tripod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior/inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

Abstract: A system and method for use during hip surgery includes a position frame that is removably secured to the patient's femur. The system further includes a tracking unit and navigation engine that establish a pelvic coordinate system and, with the patient's leg placed in a predetermined orientation, capture the location of the femoral position frame within the pelvic coordinate system. The system further includes an image generator configured to display one or more images for directing the surgeon to return the patient's leg to the predetermined orientation following a trial reduction based upon the previously captured position. A leg change determination engine compares the current, post-reconstruction position of the femoral position tracking frame with the previously captured, pre-reconstruction position to derive leg length, offset, and anterior-posterior change values. The change values are then provided to the surgeon for evaluating the suitability of the trial reduction.

Abstract: A system and method for use during hip surgery includes a position frame that is removably secured to the patient's femur. The system further includes a tracking unit and navigation engine that establish a pelvic coordinate system and, with the patient's leg placed in a predetermined orientation, capture the location of the femoral position frame within the pelvic coordinate system. The system further includes an image generator configured to display one or more images for directing the surgeon to return the patient's leg to the predetermined orientation following a trial reduction based upon the previously captured position. A leg change determination engine compares the current, post-reconstruction position of the femoral position tracking frame with the previously captured, pre-reconstruction position to derive leg length, offset, and anterior-posterior change values. The change values are then provided to the surgeon for evaluating the suitability of the trial reduction.

Abstract: An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tripod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior/inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a retractor body having a site portion and handle portion, and an impactor body on the retractor body. The impactor body is positioned and configured for use in impacting the site portion of the surgical site. An impaction axis of the impaction body is preferably substantially aligned with an axis of the site portion of the impactor body. The impactor body is preferably attached to the retractor body at a junction between the site portion and the handle portion of the retractor body. In one embodiment, the impactor portion is configured to selectively mate with an impactor extension member to thereby optionally receive direct impaction on the impactor portion or indirect impaction through the impactor extension member.

Abstract: An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tripod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior/inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning a surgical instrument, such as an acetabular cup inserter, with a direction guide that defines an orientation in space for insertion of the cup. The apparatus comprises a parallel guide having a first arm for alignment with the direction guide and a second arm spaced from the first arm but maintained in parallel relationship with it. The cup inserter can be aligned with the first arm by aligning it with the second arm.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising a retractor body having a site portion and handle portion, and an impactor body on the retractor body. The impactor body is positioned and configured for use in impacting the site portion of the surgical site. An impaction axis of the impaction body is preferably substantially aligned with an axis of the site portion of the impactor body. The impactor body is preferably attached to the retractor body at a junction between the site portion and the handle portion of the retractor body. In one embodiment, the impactor portion is configured to selectively mate with an impactor extension member to thereby optionally receive direct impaction on the impactor portion or indirect impaction through the impactor extension member.

Abstract: A medical imaging device takes one or more images of the local anatomy of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. A surface model generator receives the one or more images and generates a 3-D surface model of the patient's anatomy. A fabrication device utilizes the 3-D surface model to fabricate a template custom designed to match the surface of the patient's anatomy. Attached to the template is a directional guide vane. The fabrication device is configured to create a template and directional guide vane such that, when the template is fitted to the patient's anatomy, the directional guide vane points along a predefined orientation relative to the patient's anatomy. A physician uses the directional guide vane as a visual guide or cue for installing an implantable prosthetic component during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus registers a patient's pelvis during surgery by establishing a patient-specific, supine pelvic reference plane. The apparatus may include an elongated support arm having three legs, at least two of which may be moveable along the arm. The first leg may contact the patient's right anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS), the second leg may contact the left ASIS, and the third leg may contact an anterior aspect of the ischium of the patient's pelvis below the acetabulum of the hip being operated on. The distances between the first leg and the second and third legs may be determined preoperatively so that the legs dock to the desired points. The apparatus may further include a direction indicator configured to point in a desired orientation for inserting an acetabular cup component in the patient's acetabulum.

Abstract: An adapter for a tripodal stereotactic reference frame for use in arthroplastic surgery mounts a third leg of the frame at an angle with respect to the other two legs to facilitate use of said frame with varying surgical exposures.