Electromagnetic transponders as markers are used to localize and guide orthopedic procedures including: knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder replacement, damaged bone reconstruction, and spine surgery, and more particularly, to guide orthopedic surgical navigation and alignment techniques and instruments. For example, the marker could further be used in any number of guides or templates that attach to the bony anatomy; such as a surgical guide, cutting guide, cutting jig, resection block and/or resurfacing guide. Further, the marker could be incorporated into an existing intramedullary guide rod for a femur and an extramedullary guide rod for a tibia in a knee replacement surgery; or into an external surgical guide system, or the marker could eliminate the need for an external template altogether. According to yet another anticipated use of the tracking system, the marker could be used in conjunction with or replace an optical alignment system.

A system and method for transmitting implant data includes an orthopedic implant, a wireless receiver, and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the wireless receiver. The orthopedic implant is configured to transmit implant identification data and implant sensor data to the wireless receiver in response to a power signal. The orthopedic implant may transfer the data over, for example, a wireless network. The processing circuit receives the implant identification data and the implant sensor data from the wireless receiver and is configured to retrieve patient-related data from a database based on the implant identification data. The processing circuit may also be configured to update a patient queue, assign a patient room to a patient, and/or transmit the patient-related data and the implant sensor data to a client machine located in the patient room.

A method for assessing the orthopaedic performance of a joint of a patient can comprise implanting at least a first and second RF wirelessly detectable markers in first and second bones associated with a site and determining and storing their positions before a surgical procedure is performed. The procedure can be carried out on the site and the positions of the first and second markers can be detected and stored after the procedure has been completed. The detected positions can be used to generate a representation of the orthopaedic performance of the joint after the procedure.

An intelligent implant includes a component of an implantable prosthesis and an implantable reporting processor (IRP) associated with the implantable prosthesis. The IRP includes a housing having a casing and a cover coupled to the casing, an electronics assembly within the housing, and an antenna within the housing and coupled to the electronics assembly. The antenna is tuned to, and the electronics assembly is configured to enable communication through the antenna at both 2.45 GHZ and 403 MHZ (MICS channel). The antenna comprises a flat ribbon configured in a loop and having major surfaces. The antenna is encapsulated within the cover of the housing and is oriented therein with major surfaces of the antenna generally parallel with an inner surface of the cover.

A system and method for embedded electronics within a medical implant comprising: an implant body; a circuitry surface, containing at least one electronic component, wherein the circuitry surface is at least partially embedded within a defined cavity of the implant along at least one path; sheathing, comprising a protective structure, wherein the at least partially embedded portion of the circuitry surface is enclosed within the sheathing; electronic components connected to, or directly on, the circuitry surface, comprising a set of electrodes and an antenna; and wiring, connecting the circuitry surface and electronic components. The system and method may further include a casing, wherein the casing is a sealed structure directly connected to the implant body including a printed a circuit board (PCB) contained within the casing itself.

A device for treating a vascular aneurysm of a human or mammal patient, comprising an implantable member adapted to hold fluid, the implantable member being adapted to be placed against an outside of a blood vessel having the aneurysm, exercise a pressure on the aneurysm to prevent or reduce an expansion of the aneurysm, follow an outer contour of the aneurysm, and provide a pressure that is equal or less than the diastolic blood pressure of the human or mammal patient.

A relay device (201) is described for relaying radio frequency signals received from an antenna implanted within a patient's body to another device located outside the patient's body, the relay device comprising a first slot antenna for detecting radio frequency signals sent from the antenna implanted within the patient's body and a second slot antenna for transmitting radio frequency signals to the other device located outside the patient's body, whereby the first and second slot antennas comprise elongated slots (209, 211) on opposite sides of a cavity (203). The signals to be transmitted by the second slot antenna are to be used to relay information conveyed by the signals detected by the first slot antenna. The relay device also comprises switching means (215, 217) for switching the first and second slot antennas between active and inactive configurations.

Provided is a functional, low-profile intercranial device (LID). The LID includes a base portion; at least one cavity associated with the base portion and configured to accept at least one functional component; and at least one conduit having a first end in communication with the at least one cavity. The at least one functional component includes a medicinal, electronic, or optic therapeutic. The at least one conduit is configured to accept the medicinal therapeutic and a second end configured to dispense the therapeutic.

A system for implanting a prosthetic device with an opening into a bone includes a plug that is removably received within the opening of the prosthetic device. The system also includes a bone removal tool that advances into the bone from outside the bone and that removes a portion of the bone while advancing into the bone to reveal the plug. The bone removal tool includes a plug engaging portion that engages with the plug. The bone removal tool at least partially removes the plug from the opening of the prosthetic device while engaged with the plug. Moreover, the system includes an alignment system that detects whether the bone removal tool and the plug are substantially axially aligned.

A spinal implant includes an implant body including a first endplate and a second endplate. A plurality of electrodes include at least one electrode disposed with the first endplate and at least one electrode disposed with the second endplate such that the electrodes conduct an electric current to stimulate tissue growth adjacent the implant body. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.