A method of designing an orthopedic implant comprising: (a) iteratively evaluating possible shapes of a dynamic orthopedic implant using actual anatomical shape considerations and kinematic shape considerations; and, (b) selecting a dynamic orthopedic implant shape from one of the possible shapes, where the dynamic orthopedic implant shape selected satisfies predetermined kinematic and anatomical constraints.

An apparatus, system and process for utilizing dual complementary pattern illumination of a scene when performing depth reconstruction of the scene are described. The method may include projecting a first reference image and a complementary second reference image on a scene, and capturing first image data and second image data including the first reference image and the complementary second reference image on the scene. The method may also include identifying features of the first reference image from features of the complementary second reference image. Furthermore, the method may include performing three dimensional (3D) scene reconstruction for image data captured by the imaging device based on the identified features in the first reference image.

A method, system and program product are provided for planning an intervention procedure in a body lumen. A CT scan of the body lumen is performed. A virtual rendering is created of the inside of the body lumen corresponding to an interventional camera image. Then a virtual tape corresponding to a planned path for the intervention procedure is projected onto a wall of the body lumen. The virtual tape is projected onto the lumen wall, which is relatively distant from the camera point on the virtual rendering, so the tape does not appear to oscillate like a central thread. Also, since the virtual tape is located on the lumen wall, it does not occlude the center of the lumen, allowing a user to better visualize the lumen during planning, during fly through, and even during an actual intervention.

Data representative of a physical feature of a morphologic subject is received in connection with a procedure to be carried out with respect to the morphologic subject. A view of the morphologic subject overlaid by a virtual image of the physical feature is rendered for a practitioner of the procedure, including generating the virtual image of the physical feature based on the representative data, and rendering the virtual image of the physical feature within the view in accordance with one or more reference points on the morphologic subject such that the virtual image enables in-situ visualization of the physical feature with respect to the morphologic subject.

A method for producing a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a handle, wherein the handle comprises a distal end comprising a shaft interface surface and a first set of magnetic elements. The method further comprises obtaining a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal end comprising a handle interface surface, a second set of magnetic elements, and a third set of magnetic elements. The method further comprises attaching the shaft to the handle, wherein the shaft interface surface is configured to engage the shaft at the handle interface surface, wherein an attractive magnetic force is configured to pull the handle towards the shaft when the first set of magnetic elements interact with the second magnetic elements, and wherein a repulsive magnetic force is configured to repel the handle from the shaft when the first set of magnetic elements interacts with the third set of magnetic elements.

Devices and methods for image-based treatment with an instrument configured to apply variable amounts of treatment medium at different locations. Devices having an image caption device that is configured to capture the area to be treated. The device comprises an evaluation device that is configured to determine a treatment trace of the treatment medium relative to the area to be treated from data of the image capture device and to determine a spatially resolved dosage for the area to be treated based on the treatment trace. Devices having a representation device that is configured to display the treatment trace and/or the spatially resolved dosage optically for a user, relative to the tissue. Methods to optically indicate the locations of the area to be treated of the tissue surface that have already been treated and/or the dosage with which the respective treated locations have been treated.

A surgical navigation system comprises a computer system, a tracking system and a projector. The computer system includes instructions for performing a surgical plan. The tracking system is electronically connected to the computer system and has a viewing area in which markers can be located within a three-dimensional space relative to the viewing area. The projector is electronically connected to the computer system and has a beam projectable into the viewing area to display a step of the surgical plan based on a location of a marker. A method for guiding a surgical instrument comprises tracking a surgical instrument within a three-dimensional space using a computer-operated tracking system, matching the surgical instrument to a step in a surgical plan for conducting the surgical procedure using the surgical instrument, and projecting a visual instruction into the three-dimensional space for the step in the surgical plan related to the instrument.

A method for placing an implant on a patient in a robotic surgical procedure using a robotic system. During the robotic surgical procedure, a navigation system tracks the patient. The navigation system also provides information to the robotic system to guide movement of a cutting tool to remove material from the patient such that a cut surface is created to receive the implant. The implant is then robotically placed on the cut surface.

An apparatus and method for creating a three dimensional imaging system is disclosed. There is a first source of laser light and a second source of laser light having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the laser light of the first source. The laser light from the first and second sources are combined, and the combined laser light is transmitted to a scanner. The scanner further transmits the combined light to a surface to be imaged.

A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.