In a method for detecting carpal tunnel using an ultrasonic detection device, the palm is placed on a flat surface, and the fingers are naturally stretched out to form a “5” shape; a mark is placed 0.5 cm above the crease of the palm (Distal wrist crease), and the probe unit of an ultrasonic detection device is placed at the short axis position of the wrist joint. By rotating the probe unit, the probe unit, the marker, and the index finger are on the same axis (index finger axis), so that the image of the carpal tunnel section of the palm can be obtained on a display of the ultrasonic detection device. Accordingly, the detection method is accurate and efficient, correctly guides students and doctors to find the position of the carpal tunnel correctly, and avoids the purposeless search for the position of the carpal tunnel by the probe on the palm, and subsequent treatment.

Systems and methods may be used to perform robot-aided surgery. A system may include a display device and a computing device including a memory device with instructions. The instructions can cause the system to access surgical data, calculate medial and lateral gap data, calculate a recommended component set, and generate a graphical user interface. Accessing surgical data can include accessing soft tissue data indicative of at least tension in soft tissues surrounding a surgical location. The graphical user interface can include an interactive trapezoidal graphic overlaid onto a graphical representation of a distal femur and a proximal tibia. The interactive trapezoidal graphic can include a graphical representation of a medial total gap, a lateral total gap, and a recommended spacer size. The interactive trapezoidal graphic can update in response to adjustments in implant parameters to assist in surgical planning.

A device for preparing a femur of a patient for receipt of a knee implant in both extension and flexion relative to a resected tibia plateau based on applying tension to medial and lateral collateral ligaments of said patient, comprising a tibial baseplate, a tensioner, the tensioner comprising a tensioner body having a tensioner portion, the tensioner portion affixed to the tibial baseplate, and an expander arm comprising an elongated body portion, a superior side of the elongated body portion having a spiked tip adjacent a posterior end thereof. The spiked tip interacts with an intracondylar notch under tension. The expander arm is operatively connected to the tensioner body via the tensioner portion, the tensioner portion configured for use in selectively raising and lowering the expander arm relative to the tibial baseplate to apply tension to the medial and lateral collateral ligaments in extension or flexion.

Methods and apparatus for performing joint laxity measurement are disclosed. A retractor includes a plurality of spacers, such as plates, that are capable of being moved from a central portion of the retractor by a carriage mechanism. In some cases, the carriage mechanism may press against ramps connected to internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. In other cases, the carriage mechanism may include blades that rotate and press against the internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. The retractor is mounted on a surgical device configured to actuate the carriage mechanism. When the retractor is placed in a joint and the carriage mechanism is actuated, a measurement of the joint laxity may be determined based upon characteristics of the retractor and/or the surgical device.

A device for preparing a femur of a patient for receipt of a knee implant in both extension and flexion relative to a resected tibia plateau based on applying tension to medial and lateral collateral ligaments of said patient, comprising a tibial baseplate, a tensioner, the tensioner comprising a tensioner body having a tensioner portion, the tensioner portion affixed to the tibial baseplate, and an expander arm comprising an elongated body portion, a superior side of the elongated body portion having a spiked tip adjacent a posterior end thereof. The spiked tip interacts with an intracondylar notch under tension. The expander arm is operatively connected to the tensioner body via the tensioner portion, the tensioner portion configured for use in selectively raising and lowering the expander arm relative to the tibial baseplate to apply tension to the medial and lateral collateral ligaments in extension or flexion.

Methods and system for characterizing ligament properties using elastography are disclosed. An ultrasound system capable of performing shear wave elasticity imaging and/or supersonic shear imaging may retrieve one or more images from a proposed surgical site. The one or more images may be provided to a surgical planning system that identifies one or more properties of ligaments proximate to the surgical site. Musculoskeletal simulations may be performed using the identified properties to preoperatively identify a surgical plan. Preoperative identification of a surgical plan may enable a surgeon to select from more fine-tuning options for a joint replacement than conventional systems.

A method for diagnosing a joint condition includes in one embodiment: creating a 3d model of the patient specific bone; registering the patient's bone with the bone model; tracking the motion of the patient specific bone through a range of motion; selecting a database including empirical mathematical descriptions of the motion of a plurality actual bones through ranges of motion; and comparing the motion of the patient specific bone to the database.

A method of generating a correction plan for a knee of a patient includes obtaining a ratio of reference bone density to reference ligament tension in a reference population. A bone of the knee of the patient may be imaged. From the image of the bone, a first dataset may be determined including at least one site of ligament attachment and existing dwell points of a medial femoral condyle and lateral femoral condyle of the patient on a tibia of the patient. Desired positions of contact in three dimensions of the femoral condyles of the patient with the tibia of the patient may be obtained by determining a relationship in which a ratio of bone density to ligament tension of the patient is substantially equal to the ratio of reference bone density to reference ligament tension.

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for measuring the structural characteristics of an object. The object is subjected to an energy application processes and provides an objective, quantitative measurement of structural characteristics of an object. The system may include a device, for example, a percussion instrument, capable of being reproducibly placed against the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible positioning. The system does not include an external on/off switch or any remote on/off switching mechanism. The system also includes a disposable feature or assembly for minimizing cross-contamination between tests. The structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.

According to the method of the invention, a translational movement of the tibia of a patient is caused by a first motor (9b) for moving a thrust member (9a) of the patient's calf, and is measured by a first sensor (15a) located on the Tibial Tuberosity, Anterior (TTA). The tibia is caused to rotate by a second motor (12) for rotating a foot support (11b) of the patient, and is measured by a second sensor (14b) located as close as possible to the TTA. The respective operations of the first motor (9b) and of the second motor (12) are correlated by a control member, by being mutually controlled according to pre-set and reproducible force models.