Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100198276 | FASTENER ASSEMBLY - An improved fastener apparatus includes an outer sleeve which is moved into a patient's body tissue. A distal end portion of the outer sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. An inner sleeve is moved axially through the outer sleeve and a distal end of the inner sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. The fastener apparatus may be provided with an external thread convolution on either or both of the inner and outer sleeves. During expansion of the distal end portion of either the inner or outer sleeve, a proximal end portion of the outer sleeve may be gripped and pulled to offset forces applied to the distal end portion of one of the sleeves. Although inner and outer sleeves may advantageously be utilized, the fastener apparatus may be constructed with only a single sleeve or three or more sleeves if desired. A secondary fastener assembly may be moved through a main fastener assembly. | 08-05-2010 |
20100331984 | PROSTHETIC JOINT COMPONENT WITH ROTATION-REGULATING STRUCTURE - An elongate, longitudinally oriented outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve surface and has a sleeve body. A stem-receiving cavity extends from a distal sleeve end into the sleeve body. The distal sleeve end includes a sleeve interference protrusion extending from the distal sleeve end away from the sleeve body. A joint articulating member includes an elongate, longitudinally oriented stem. The joint articulating member includes a joint articulating surface spaced apart from a distal stem end by an angularly extending connector neck. When the stem is inserted into the stem-receiving cavity, the stem and the outer sleeve are configured for selective relative rotation about a shared longitudinal axis, and the connector neck impinges upon the sleeve interference protrusion responsive to a predetermined amount of relative rotation between the stem and the outer sleeve to prevent relative rotation between the stem and the outer sleeve outside a predetermined range of allowable rotation. | 12-30-2010 |
20100331989 | MULTI-PIECE PROSTHETIC JOINT COMPONENT - An elongate, longitudinally oriented outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve surface defining a radially oriented proximal sleeve border, a radially oriented proximal sleeve rim intersecting the outer sleeve surface at the proximal sleeve border, an outer sleeve body enclosed by the outer sleeve surface and the proximal sleeve rim, and an elongate, longitudinally oriented stem-receiving cavity formed in the outer sleeve body and intersecting the proximal sleeve rim to define a stem-receiving aperture. A joint articulating member includes an elongate, longitudinally oriented stem, an articulating surface, and an interface rim. When the stem is at least partially inserted into the stem-receiving cavity, the proximal sleeve rim and the interface rim interact to change a longitudinal relationship between the outer sleeve and the joint articulating member responsive to relative radially-oriented rotation between the stem and the stem-receiving cavity. | 12-30-2010 |
20120010619 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A RELATIVE LOCATION INDICATION DURING A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - An orthopedic guidewire includes an elongate guidewire body having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends. An engaging feature is located at the distal guidewire end and is configured to selectively engage a bone surface. At least one of a variable diameter and a variable stiffness are along a portion of the guidewire body spaced apart from the engaging feature. A method of providing a relative location indication during a surgical procedure utilizing the orthopedic guidewire is also included. | 01-12-2012 |
20120109137 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING WITH ATTACHMENT OF A STOCK IMPLANT TO A PATIENT TISSUE - A guide for assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue includes a lower guide surface configured to contact an upper implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant when a lower implant surface of the stock prosthetic implant contacts the patient tissue. An upper guide surface is accessible to a user when the lower guide surface is in contact with the upper implant surface. At least one guiding aperture extends through the guide body between the upper and lower guide surfaces at a predetermined aperture location with respect to the guide body and defines a predetermined target trajectory through the guide body. At least one of the target trajectory and the aperture location of each guiding aperture is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. A method of assisting with attachment of a stock prosthetic implant to a patient tissue is also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109226 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING WITH ARRANGEMENT OF A STOCK INSTRUMENT WITH RESPECT TO A PATIENT TISSUE - A stock instrument includes at least one guide interacting feature. A lower instrument surface of the stock instrument is placed into contact with the patient tissue. A guide has a lower guide surface contoured to substantially mate with at least a portion of an upper instrument surface of the stock instrument. A predetermined instrument orientation upon the patient tissue is defined, which is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. The guide and instrument are mated in a predetermined relative guide/instrument orientation wherein at least one guide interacting feature of the instrument is placed into engagement with at least one instrument guiding feature of the guide. The guide is moved into a predetermined guide orientation with respect to the patient tissue and concurrently the instrument is moved into a predetermined instrument orientation with respect to the patient tissue. | 05-03-2012 |
20120130382 | POSITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A PROSTHETIC IMPLANT - A positioning apparatus for guiding resection of a patient tissue and guiding placement of a prosthetic implant component in a desired implant position with respect to the resected patient tissue and method of use are described. A locating block includes a mating surface contoured for mating contact with the patient tissue. A cutting plane indicator provides a physical indication of a desired cutting plane for the resection. A placement indicator is spaced apart from the locating block and includes a component-contacting feature. An elongate spacing arm is operative to space the placement indicator apart from the locating block. The spacing arm is configured to place the component-contacting feature of the placement indicator at a predetermined placement position in three-dimensional space relative to the patient tissue. The placement position predetermination is at least partially based upon pre-operative imaging of the patient tissue. | 05-24-2012 |
20120141034 | SYSTEM OF PREOPERATIVE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF PATIENT-SPECIFIC SURGICAL AIDS - A method of preoperative planning and provision of patient-specific surgical aids includes creating a virtual model of a native patient tissue. A virtual device is placed into a predetermined device orientation relative to the virtual model of the native patient tissue. At least one predetermined landmark orientation is specified for placement of at least one virtual landmark relative to the native patient tissue. A virtual patient-specific template containing the predetermined landmark orientation and having a landmark guiding feature is generated. At least one virtual patient-specific placement guide configured to interact simultaneously with at least one previously placed virtual landmark and the virtual device when the virtual device is in the predetermined device orientation is generated. A physical patient-specific template is created as a tangible representation of the virtual patient-specific template. A physical patient-specific placement guide is created as a tangible representation of the virtual patient-specific placement guide. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143267 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSOCIATION OF A GUIDING AID WITH A PATIENT TISSUE - A patient tissue includes a primary patient tissue area and an anatomically differentiated bordering secondary patient tissue area. An apparatus is at least partially customized responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. Means are provided for mating with the primary patient tissue area in a preselected relative orientation. Means are provided for fixing a first landmark to the primary patient tissue area in at least one of a predetermined marking location and a predetermined marking trajectory. Means are provided for fixing a second landmark to the secondary patient tissue area in at least one of a predetermined marking location and a predetermined marking trajectory. A method of associating a plurality of landmarks with a patient tissue is also provided. | 06-07-2012 |
20120203237 | DISTANCE INDICATOR - A distance indicator for indicating the distance that a device has traveled includes an elongate housing with a guidewire connector configured for operative connection to a guidewire to hold the housing stationary with respect thereto. A plunger is operatively connected to the housing for longitudinal motion with respect to the housing. A first plunger end is configured to operatively contact the device. As the guidewire connector is holding the housing stationary with respect to the guidewire, the first plunger end is placed into operative contact with the device with the plunger and housing in a first relative plunger/housing position. The device moves longitudinally. The plunger moves into a second relative plunger/housing position assisted by the operative connection between the first plunger end and the device. The longitudinal difference between the first and second relative plunger/housing positions indicates a distance that the device has moved longitudinally with respect to the guidewire. | 08-09-2012 |
20120271612 | PREDICTIVE MODELING - This disclosure relates to predictive modeling. Systems and methods can be utilized extract data from a plurality of data sources to provide a set of predictor variables. The predictor variables can be analyzed to generate a model having a portion of the predictor variables with weighted coefficients according to an event or outcome for which the model is generated. A prediction tool can employ the model to predict the even or outcome for one or more patients. | 10-25-2012 |
20120276509 | SYSTEM OF PREOPERATIVE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF PATIENT-SPECIFIC SURGICAL AIDS - A method for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan includes generating a physical native tissue model of a native patient tissue. The physical native tissue model includes at least one primary patient tissue area including a surface of interest, at least one secondary patient tissue area including no surfaces of interest, and a base surface for engaging a supporting structure. The physical native tissue model, as generated, includes at least one information feature providing clinically useful information to the user. The information feature is substantially separated from the surface of interest. An apparatus for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan is also provided. | 11-01-2012 |
20120290323 | INTERACTIVE VISUALIZATION FOR HEALTHCARE - This disclosure relates to a visualization tool that can be implemented to facilitate medical decision making by providing an interactive graphical map of relevant health data. The interactive map can include graphical elements representing health data that can be obtained from an EHR and associations between such data that are represented by graphical connections. The graphical elements and associations can be modified to reflect medical decision making. | 11-15-2012 |
20120296339 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A REFERENCE INDICATION TO A PATIENT TISSUE - An apparatus for providing a reference indication to a patient tissue includes a primary locating block having a patient-specific primary mating surface contoured for mating contact with a portion of the patient tissue in a predetermined primary mating orientation custom-configured responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. At least one mounting feature is provided to the primary locating block. At least one secondary item is configured for selective engagement with the primary locating block. The secondary item is at least one of a noncustomized secondary item and a patient-specific secondary item. The secondary item provides a reference indication to at least a portion of the patient tissue. The mounting feature of the primary locating block is configured for engagement with at least one secondary item in a predetermined secondary mounting relationship. The secondary mounting relationship is custom-configured for the patient tissue responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. | 11-22-2012 |
20130119579 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING AT LEAST ONE PATIENT-SPECIFIC SURGICAL AID - A method for producing at least one patient-specific surgical aid includes providing a physical model of a native patient tissue. The physical model has at least one surface of interest. A constraining wall is placed in contact with at least a portion of the physical model. A moldable substance is placed into contact with at least a portion of the surface of interest. An impression of the surface of interest is maintained upon the moldable substance. The moldable substance is solidified into a patient-specific surgical aid. The patient-specific surgical aid is removed from the physical model. A system for producing at least one patient-specific surgical aid is also disclosed. | 05-16-2013 |
20130132117 | GRAPHICAL TOOL FOR MANAGING A LONGITUDINAL PATIENT EPISODE - Systems and methods are disclosed for graphical-based management and documentation of longitudinal care episodes. As one example, a system to manage a longitudinal care episode for a patient can include a patient data aggregator, executable by a processor, to provide context data for the patient, at least a portion of the context data including patient data associated with multiple phases of the longitudinal care episode. A tool manager can translate user interactions with an associated graphical user interface (GUI) into corresponding discrete concepts. The corresponding discrete concepts can be stored in memory as part of longitudinal episode data for the patient, the longitudinal episode data being generated based on the context data and in response to user interactions with the GUI to facilitate documentation and management of the longitudinal care episode. | 05-23-2013 |
20130172898 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DICTATING AT LEAST ONE OF A DESIRED LOCATION AND A DESIRED TRAJECTORY FOR ASSOCIATION OF A LANDMARK WITH A PATIENT TISSUE - An apparatus for transferring location and/or trajectory information from a reference surface to a patient tissue surface for guiding placement of a landmark includes a landmark guiding structure. At least two locating feet are provided, each being laterally spaced from, and indirectly connected to, the landmark guiding structure. A holdaway structure is connected to each locating foot and to the landmark guiding structure. The landmark guiding structure is placed in desired location and/or a desired trajectory with respect to the reference surface. Each locating foot is adjusted into guiding contact with a particular portion of the reference surface. Each locating foot is maintained in the guiding contact position, and the apparatus is placed with each locating foot in guiding contact with a particular portion of the patient tissue surface. A method of transferring location and/or trajectory information from a reference surface to a patient tissue surface is also disclosed. | 07-04-2013 |
20130212508 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE TO FACILITATE PROBLEM-ORIENTED MEDICAL CHARTING - This disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing analytics for an enterprise workflow, such as to characterize employee behavior based on enterprise data collected based on services performed by the employees. The system can be utilized, for example, to help drive proper documentation by employees of the enterprise, such as by generating statistics that characterize documentation entered by or on behalf of an employee or a group of employees for services that have been performed. | 08-15-2013 |
20130218161 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MATERIAL REMOVAL - A rotary surgical tool includes a driving shaft. A cutting head, connected to the driving shaft, is configured to cut into a surface. Driving means, connected to the driving shaft, rotate the driving shaft and the cutting head. A depth-limiting feature includes an adjustable stud extending from one of the cutting head and the surface toward the other one of the cutting head and the surface. The stud has a protrusion length that is greater than and/or equal to the length of a desired amount of final penetration of the cutting head into the surface. An aperture, provided in the other one of the cutting head and the surface, has an aperture depth that is greater than and/or equal to the desired amount of final penetration of the cutting head into the surface. Interaction between the aperture and the stud limits longitudinal advancement of the cutting head into the surface. | 08-22-2013 |
20130230838 | SYSTEM OF PREOPERATIVE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF PATIENT-SPECIFIC SURGICAL AIDS - A method for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan includes generating a physical native tissue model of a native patient tissue. The physical native tissue model includes at least one primary patient tissue area including a surface of interest, at least one secondary patient tissue area including no surfaces of interest, and a base surface for engaging a supporting structure. The physical native tissue model, as generated, includes at least one information feature providing clinically useful information to the user. The information feature is substantially separated from the surface of interest. An apparatus for assisting a user with surgical implementation of a preoperative plan is also provided. | 09-05-2013 |
20130236874 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING AT LEAST ONE PATIENT-SPECIFIC SURGICAL AID - In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing at least one patient-specific surgical aid is described. A native patient tissue having at least one patient tissue surface of interest is provided. A moldable substance is placed into contact with at least a portion of the patient tissue surface of interest. An impression of the patient tissue surface of interest is maintained upon the moldable substance. The moldable substance is solidified into a patient-specific surgical aid. The patient-specific surgical aid is removed from the native patient tissue. A system for producing at least one patient-specific surgical aid is also disclosed. | 09-12-2013 |
20130237991 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING PREDETERMINED SPATIAL POSITIONING INFORMATION TO AN ADJUSTABLE TOOL - An apparatus transfers predetermined spatial positioning information to an adjustable tool. Means are provided for temporarily holding at least a carrier portion of the adjustable tool stationary relative to a manipulable reference surface. Means are provided for imparting predetermined spatial positioning information to the reference surface in a first degree of freedom. Means are provided for imparting predetermined spatial positioning information to the reference surface in a second degree of freedom. The predetermined spatial positioning information is imparted to the reference surface in the first and second degrees of freedom to generate a pre-set reference surface. At least a portion of the adjustable tool is held stationary relative to the pre-set reference surface. At least a functional portion of the adjustable tool is manipulated into a predetermined setting position relative to the reference surface. The predetermined setting position reflects a position of the pre-set reference surface. | 09-12-2013 |
20130245632 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTION OF AN ELONGATE PIN INTO A SURFACE - An apparatus for dictating an insertion trajectory and location for insertion of an elongate pin into a surface includes a primary leg having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal primary leg ends. At least one subordinate leg has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal subordinate leg ends. The proximal subordinate leg end is movably attached to the primary leg by a coupling mechanism allowing at least two degrees of freedom of motion of the subordinate leg relative to the primary leg. The distal subordinate leg end is configured for contact with the surface concurrently with contact of the distal primary leg end with the surface, to support the apparatus during use of the apparatus. The primary leg guides longitudinal translational movement of the elongate pin to insertion into the surface at the dictated insertion trajectory and location when the apparatus is supported in a predetermined guiding relationship with the surface. | 09-19-2013 |
20130267958 | DIRECTED STRUCTURE PLACEMENT GUIDE - A directed structure placement guide assists with positioning at least one directed structure in at least one of a predetermined insertion trajectory and a predetermined insertion location with respect to a patient tissue surface during preparation of the patient tissue surface to receive an implant. The implant has a tissue-contacting surface. A guide base has a distal base surface mimicking the structure of at least a portion of a tissue-contacting surface of the implant. The guide base also has a proximal base surface longitudinally spaced from the proximal base surface. At least one insertion guiding structure is movably supported by the guide base and is adjustable into a guiding configuration in which at least one of the predetermined insertion trajectory and the predetermined insertion location is selectively imparted to the directed structure. | 10-10-2013 |
20130310652 | INTEGRATED SURGICAL TASK LIGHTING - Method and apparatus for coordinated control of lights and devices in an operating room. An operating room is equipped with a plurality of devices, each capable of generating light. A set of rules are provided defining the manner in which the plurality of devices are to be controlled in a cooperative, coordinated manner in accordance with the state of the operating room. The state of the operating room is detected, as such state changes from time to time during the course of a medical procedure being performed in the operating room. The plurality of devices are controlled in accordance with the detected state, as it changes from time to time, and the set of rules. The plurality of devices are thus controlled in a cooperative, coordinated manner in accordance with the changing state of the operating room. | 11-21-2013 |
20140039924 | GRAPHICAL TOOL FOR MANAGING A LONGITUDINAL PATIENT EPISODE - Systems and methods are disclosed for graphical-based management and documentation of longitudinal care episodes. As one example, a system to manage a longitudinal care episode for a patient can include a patient data aggregator, executable by a processor, to provide context data for the patient, at least a portion of the context data including patient data associated with multiple phases of the longitudinal care episode. A tool manager can translate user interactions with an associated graphical user interface (GUI) into corresponding discrete concepts. The corresponding discrete concepts can be stored in memory as part of longitudinal episode data for the patient, the longitudinal episode data being generated based on the context data and in response to user interactions with the GUI to facilitate documentation and management of the longitudinal care episode. | 02-06-2014 |
20140081342 | GUIDE FOR ASSISTING WITH ARRANGEMENT OF A STOCK INSTRUMENT WITH RESPECT TO A PATIENT TISSUE - A stock instrument includes at least one guide interacting feature. A lower instrument surface of the stock instrument is placed into contact with the patient tissue. A guide has a lower guide surface contoured to substantially mate with at least a portion of an upper instrument surface of the stock instrument. A predetermined instrument orientation upon the patient tissue is defined, which is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. The guide and instrument are mated in a predetermined relative guide/instrument orientation wherein at least one guide interacting feature of the instrument is placed into engagement with at least one instrument guiding feature of the guide. The guide is moved into a predetermined guide orientation with respect to the patient tissue and concurrently the instrument is moved into a predetermined instrument orientation with respect to the patient tissue. | 03-20-2014 |
20140148863 | ORTHOPAEDIC FIXATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An orthopaedic fixation apparatus includes a first retainer section and a second retainer section. The second retainer section is separable from the first retainer section. A first fastener is insertable into a first opening and a second fastener insertable into a second opening. A retention member is engageable with the first fastener and with the second fastener. The retention member is elongated and flexible. The retention member contacts and extends at least partially around a head portion of the first fastener and extends to a head portion of the second fastener, and also contacts and extends at least partially around a head portion of the second fastener. | 05-29-2014 |
20140194810 | DEPLOYABLE JOINT INFECTION TREATMENT SYSTEM - A deployable infection treatment system includes a cannula device comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a flared distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen has a longitudinal x-axis extending therethrough. A sponge or drain is provided, the sponge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein in a non-deployed configuration, the sponge is compressed within the cannula body's lumen and in a deployed configuration the distal end of the sponge expands out of the cannula body's lumen. An integrated pump and vacuum device is provided, wherein when the sponge is in a deployed configuration, the device is in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The pump controls the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the proximal end of the sponge. The vacuum controls the extraction of the therapeutic fluid and infectious material from the proximal end of the sponge. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194811 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING POST-OPERATIVE INFECTIONS - An infection treatment system includes a first intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal and including a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A second intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal includes a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A coupler is operatively attached to the rods. The coupler has a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face. At least one of the faces includes at least one opening in fluid communication with at least a portion of the channels of the first and second rods. | 07-10-2014 |
20140200439 | METHODS OF ORIENTING AND REGISTERING DURING A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - A patient-specific instrument is placed into a predetermined setting position with respect to a patient tissue. A navigation aid is associated in a predetermined origin position with respect to the patient tissue. The navigation aid is zeroed while in the predetermined origin position to record the location and orientation of the navigation aid relative to the patient tissue. An instantaneous position of the zeroed navigation aid is determined with respect to the patient tissue. Feedback is provided to a user on a physical motion needed to bring the instantaneous position of the navigation aid closer to a predetermined desired target position. An indication is made when the instantaneous position of the navigation aid is sufficiently similar to the predetermined desired target position. | 07-17-2014 |
20140200440 | ALIGNMENT OF MANIPULABLE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - A method for aligning a manipulable sensor assembly includes determination of a replica surface, which represents a field of view of a manipulable sensor assembly associated with an object when the object is located in a desired position and oriented at a desired orientation. Electromagnetic radiation and/or sound reflected from a surface of the region of interest is detected to provide a surface map of the region of interest, which is compared to the replica surface to determine a rotation and/or a translation for the manipulable sensor assembly to bring the surface map into alignment with the replica surface. The position and/or the orientation of the object are altered. The detection of reflected electromagnetic radiation or sound, comparison of the surfaces, and alteration of the position and orientation of the object are repeated until the surface map is in alignment with the replica surface. | 07-17-2014 |
20140236160 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AIDING VISUALIZATION AND/OR PLACING A LANDMARK DURING A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - An apparatus for aiding visualization of a prosthetic implant and concurrently landmarking a patient tissue includes a center post having proximal and distal post ends longitudinally separated by a post body. The post body defines a post axis coaxially therewith. An implant emulator embodies a reference feature of a prosthetic implant. The implant emulator is carried on an outer surface of the center post at a predetermined longitudinal spacing from the distal post end. A guiding device is removably attached to the implant emulator. The guiding device includes an attachment structure attached to the implant emulator. A spacing arm is connected to the attachment structure and extends laterally outward from the post axis. A landmark guiding structure is connected to the spacing arm, spaced apart from the center post, and embodies at least one of a location and a trajectory for placement of a landmark. | 08-21-2014 |
20140257402 | SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING A PATIENT AND MARKING LOCATIONS FOR A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - A device for positioning a patient on a surgical table for a surgical procedure includes a main body with a footprint-receiving portion configured to accept and permanently maintain a footprint of at least a portion of a contact tissue of a patient's body. The footprint imposes a desired position of the contact tissue for the surgical procedure. | 09-11-2014 |
20140272881 | METHOD OF PRODUCING A PATIENT-SPECIFIC THREE DIMENSIONAL MODEL HAVING HARD TISSUE AND SOFT TISSUE PORTIONS - A method of producing a patient-specific three-dimensional model of a native tissue. A virtual replica of at least a portion of a native tissue is produced. A three-dimensional unitary replica of the portion of the native tissue is produced as a tangible representation of the virtual replica. The three-dimensional unitary replica includes at least one location of interest. The three-dimensional unitary replica includes a first area and a second area of the portion of the native tissue. The first area density has a first area density greater than a second area density of the second area. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279754 | SELF-EVOLVING PREDICTIVE MODEL - Systems and methods are provided for predicting clinical parameters. A model of a plurality of models having a sufficient accuracy, given a received set of predictors, is selected. A value for a clinical parameter is predicted from the selected model and the set of predictors to provide a predicted value. A value for the clinical parameter is measured, and the model is updated according to the set of predictors and the measured value. | 09-18-2014 |
20140336657 | POSITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A PROSTHETIC IMPLANT - A positioning apparatus for guiding resection of a patient tissue and guiding placement of a prosthetic implant component in a desired implant position with respect to the resected patient tissue and method of use are described. A locating block includes a mating surface contoured for mating contact with the patient tissue. A cutting plane indicator provides a physical indication of a desired cutting plane for the resection. A placement indicator is spaced apart from the locating block and includes a component-contacting feature. An elongate spacing arm is operative to space the placement indicator apart from the locating block. The spacing arm is configured to place the component-contacting feature of the placement indicator at a predetermined placement position in three-dimensional space relative to the patient tissue. The placement position predetermination is at least partially based upon pre-operative imaging of the patient tissue. | 11-13-2014 |
20150045796 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A RELATIVE LOCATION INDICATION DURING A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - An orthopedic guidewire includes an elongate guidewire body having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends. An engaging feature is located at the distal guidewire end and is configured to selectively engage a bone surface. At least one of a variable diameter and a variable stiffness are along a portion of the guidewire body spaced apart from the engaging feature. A method of providing a relative location indication during a surgical procedure utilizing the orthopedic guidewire is also included. | 02-12-2015 |