A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Methods and apparatus for detecting or predicting surgical tool-bone skiving are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical tool is movably and/or snugly disposed within a guide-sleeve. In some embodiments, a magnitude of a lateral force between the surgical tool and the guide-sleeve is measured (e.g. by a force sensor or strain sensor). The present or future skiving may be detected or predicted according to the magnitude of the lateral force. In some embodiments, an alert signal is generated in response to the detecting or predicting of the skiving.

Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.

Medical devices such as osteotomes are provided. The medical device may include inner and outer members that form a working end portion. Distal end portions of the inner and outer members can cooperate to allow deflection of the working end portion. Medical devices including indicators are also provided. The indicator may communicate a direction of deflection of the working end portion to a practitioner. Additionally, medical devices including torque release mechanisms are provided. The torque release mechanism may uncouple a first portion of the medical device from a second portion of the medical device when an amount of torque applied to the medical device exceeds a predetermined value. The torque release mechanism may limit damage to components of the medical device during use of the medical device.

Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.

Surgical apparatus includes a transducer (50) configured to be inserted into a cavity (28) inside a bone (22) within a body of a living subject and to engage an inner wall of the cavity at a selected location within the cavity. A drive circuit (38) is coupled to apply a drive signal to the transducer so as to cause an echogenic movement of the bone at the selected location.

A system and method is provided for estimating orientation and position of surgical instrumentation or tools relative to a patient's bone structure. The system and/or method may include registering an axis and/or plane associated with a patient's bone. The system and/or method may further include receiving, from magnetic and orientation sensors, information indicative of orientation and position of the surgical instrument or tool relative to the registered axis and/or plane.

A device is for aligning an aiming hole of an aiming device with a locking hole of an intramedullary nail. The device includes a sensing unit sized and shaped for insertion through an aiming hole of an aiming device attachable to an intramedullary nail. The sensing unit detects a magnetic field produced by a magnet and outputs an alignment signal based on a magnetic field parameter at first and second locations relative to the magnet.

The present invention provides for a joint fixation device and method utilizing magnetic members with at least one magnetic member positioned on each of opposite sides of a joint and secured to skeletal components. The magnetic members include at least one permanent magnet. The magnetic members can be configured to provide an attracting force or a repelling force. They can also be configured to provide a torque about the joint.

The present invention discloses a two-stage locating device and the method thereof. In stage-one, the preliminary locating device finds the approximate area of the locking hole encircled with the magnetic material on the intramedullary nail. In stage-two, the pinpoint device has a plurality of targeting devices and includes a transparent plate with a plurality of alignment lines. According to the deviations between each pointing device and the alignment lines, the direction of the pinpoint device for further adjustment can be determined. The present invention can determine the position and the orientation of the locking hole on the intramedullary nail quickly and precisely to shorten the time spent to implant the intramedullary nail. Furthermore, the present invention can also have a conductive circuit to connect to an alarm device. Thus, the precise location can be determined through the different alarm signals based on the contact conditions between each directing devices and the conductive circuit.