A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

A method of ultrasonic sealing includes activating an ultrasonic blade temperature sensing, measuring a first resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system that includes a transducer coupled to the blade via a waveguide, making a first comparison between the measured first resonant frequency and a first predetermined resonant frequency, and adjusting a power level applied to the transducer based on the first comparison. The first predetermined frequency may correspond to an optimal tissue coagulation temperature. The method may further include measuring a second resonant frequency of the system, making a second comparison between the measured second frequency and a second predetermined frequency, and adjusting the power level based on the second comparison. The second predetermined frequency may correspond a melting point temperature of a clamp arm pad. An ultrasonic instrument and a generator may implement the method.

Embodiments described herein include apparatus that includes an electrical interface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the electrical interface, a first signal that indicates a time-varying force that was applied to a portion of tissue, and one or more second signals that are derived from ultrasound reflections received from the portion of tissue. The processor is further configured to learn, from the first signal and the second signals, a dependency of a thickness of the portion of tissue on the force applied to the portion of tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

A method includes, using a probe, applying irreversible electroporation (IRE) pulses to tissue over a time period to form a lesion in the tissue. A contact force applied to the tissue by the probe is measured over the time period. An IRE index is calculated based on the measured contact force and on a power level of the IRE pulses. Application of the IRE pulses to the tissue is ceased in response to the calculated IRE index reaching a prespecified target IRE index value.

A joint replacement balancing system which provides real-time feedback to a surgeon during a joint replacement surgery to assist the surgeon to balance a joint replacement. The joint replacement balancing system includes a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to receive a signal from a joint balancing apparatus, determine if the joint replacement is out of balance, determine a corrective course of action to bring the joint into balance and generate and display to the surgeon during the joint replacement surgery a recommended corrective course of action to complete the joint replacement surgery.

Spinal device/implants are provided, comprising a spinal device/implant and a sensor.

A bone fusion device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises at least one extendable tab and one or more tab extension assemblies. Each tab extension assembly is able to be adjusted in order to individually control the extension or contraction of a side of the tab thereby enabling adjustment of the height and/or angle of the tab with respect to the body of the bone fusion device. Each tab extension assembly is able to be individually adjusted such that the side controlled by each assembly is raised or lowered until the desired tab angle is achieved. The tab is advantageously positioned and angled to correspond to the vertebrae to help brace the device until the bone has fused.

A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that provide an axial force transducer. Two coils wound coaxially with respect to each other can be used with a magnet to determine a distance traveled based on application of an axial force to an instrument component. The two coils and magnet can be configured in a number of ways with respect to the instrument component. In various embodiments, the difference between an inductance associated with one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet and an inductance associated with the other one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet can be used to determine the axial force on the component of the instrument associated with the distance travelled. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery. The improvement relates to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Some of the improvement relate to controlling the selection of which data to display during a procedure and/or how the data is displayed to aid the surgeon. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled automatically to improve the efficiency of the procedure. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure.

A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an index responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to assess lesion formation in the tissue.