A system and method for quantitatively assessing a press fit value (and provide a mechanism to evaluate optimal quantitative values) of any implant/bone interface regardless the variables involved including bone site preparation, material properties of bone and implant, implant geometry and coefficient of friction of the implant-bone interface without requiring a visual positional assessment of a depth of insertion. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.

An orthopedic distraction device is provided. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.

Technologies for determining seating of an orthopaedic implant during an orthopaedic surgical procedure includes an impaction sensor and an impaction analyzer. The impaction sensor produces sensor data, in response to an impaction between an orthopaedic mallet and a surgical tool indicative of an initial impact and a secondary impact of the impaction. The impaction analyzer analyzes the sensor data to determine a temporal length between the initial and secondary impacts and determines whether the orthopaedic implant is sufficiently seated into the bone based on the temporal length.

A surgical planning method carried out by a data processing apparatus that comprises determining a lateral force-distance characteristic for each of a plurality of knee flexion angles, determining a medial force-distance characteristic for each of the plurality of knee flexion angles, using a lateral force-distance characteristic to determine a lateral knee gap distance corresponding to a target force for at least one of the plurality of knee flexion angles, and using a medial force-displacement characteristic to determine a medial knee gap distance corresponding to a target force for at least one of the plurality of knee flexion angles. The method also comprises outputting the lateral knee gap distance corresponding to the target force and the medial knee gap distance corresponding to the target force as a function of knee flexion angle.

Spinal implants, spinal implant systems, and methods for inserting spinal implants are provided. The implants can be implanted in an intervertebral space between adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae. The implant includes a superior implant surface having one or more superior positioning grooves configured to receive a corresponding superior positioning rail and an inferior implant surface having one or more inferior positioning grooves configured to receive a corresponding inferior positioning rail when the implant is implanted in the intervertebral space.

Systems and methods are provided for determining acceptable ranges of pressures for use by a robotic arm on a surgical instrument, robotic systems and methods that are limited to using the acceptable ranges of pressures, and the medical devices for use in the robotic surgery. Learning software is included in the methods and systems for correlating manually-performed procedures with pressure sensors as a tactile gauge for qualifying the acceptable ranges of pressures for use by a robotic system. Robotic systems and methods are provided for (i) locating tissue borders of a surgical site, (ii) identifying a preferred pressure, and (iii) transmitting the data to the computer to avoid violating the integrity of tissue surrounding the surgical site.

A system is disclosed herein for providing a kinetic assessment and preparation of a prosthetic joint comprising one or more prosthetic components. The system comprises a prosthetic component including sensors and circuitry configured to measure load, position of load on a curved surface, joint stability, range of motion, and impingement. In one embodiment, the system is for a ball and socket joint of a musculoskeletal system. The system further includes a computer having a display configured to graphical display quantitative measurement data to support rapid assimilation of the information. The kinetic assessment measures joint alignment under loading that will be similar to that of a final joint installation. The kinetic assessment can use trial or permanent prosthetic components. Furthermore, adjustments can be made to the applied load magnitude, position of load, and joint alignment by various means to fine-tune an installation.

An interbody spinal cage when implanted can be manipulated non-invasively to change dimensions conforming to contours of adjacent vertebral bones. The interbody spinal cage includes a flexible shell that encases multiple variable-length rods. Each of the multiple variable-length rods includes telescoping tubes and an actuator for increasing and decreasing the length of the telescoping tubes. Each of the variable-length rods includes a retention member to limit movements of the telescoping tubes, wherein the retention member can be engaged and disengaged. Both the retention member and the actuator can be operated from outside the body in which the interbody spinal cage is implanted.

Systems and methods to evaluate a joint implant device are provided. The joint implant device can include a prosthesis body having a first end and a second end. The first end can couple with a first joint component and the second end can couple with a second joint component. The prosthesis body can include a first support. The prosthesis body can include a first gear rotatably coupled with the first support. The prosthesis body can include a second support movably coupled with the first support. The second support can include a second gear that can engage with a portion of the first gear. The prosthesis body can include a third support. The third support can movably couple with the second support. The third support can move relative to the first support with activation of the first gear.

A method of evaluating a human joint including bones and ligaments under anatomical tension to connect the bones. The method includes: defining a primary datum oriented and fixed in six degrees of freedom; defining at least one secondary datum having fixed origins relative to one of the bones of the joint and relative to a tracking device affixed to the bone; providing an electronic receiving device; associating continuous position and orientation of the at least one secondary datums with respect to the primary datum; while moving the joint, using the electronic receiving device to collect data from the at least one tracking device, wherein the data includes information describing the position and movement in six degrees of freedom of the at least one secondary datum to produce a digital geometric model of at least a portion of the joint; and storing the digital geometric model for further use.