Measured forces applied by a medical professional during a gap assessment can be measured. A plurality of force sensors is placed at a lateral ankle position, a medial ankle position, a lateral foot position, and/or a medial foot position, and each detects an applied force during an abduction-adduction examination. Further, a computing device receives, from each of the plurality of sensors during the abduction-adduction examination, data representing an applied force occurring during the abduction-adduction examination at respective ones of the lateral ankle position, the medial ankle position, the lateral foot position, and the medial foot position. The computing device calculates, using the received data, respective peak applied forces during the abduction-adduction examination in extension and flexion, and provides information representing a correlation of the respective peak applied forces with other information.

An apparatus for fatigue testing an article includes a base having a platform for receiving an article to be tested, a shaft extending toward said platform for applying a force to said article, a coupling assembly connected to said shaft, said coupling assembly comprising a joint that pivots about an axis, and flex pivots disposed to be aligned with said axis about which said joint pivots.

An orthopedic measurement system is disclosed to measure leg alignment. The measurement system includes a tri-axial gyroscope configured to measure movement of a leg. The gyroscope is coupled to a tibia of the leg. For example, the gyroscope can be placed in an insert or tibial prosthetic component that couples to the tibia. The gyroscope is used to measure alignment relative to the mechanical axis of the leg. The leg alignment measurement is performed by putting the leg through a first leg movement and a second leg movement. The gyroscope outputs angular velocities on the axes the sensor is rotated about. The gyroscope is coupled to a computer that calculates the alignment of the leg relative to the mechanical axis from the gyroscope measurement data.

A bone-repair composite includes a core and a sheath. The core is a first primary unit including a combination of a first set of yarns coated with a calcium phosphate mineral layer. The first set of yarns being made from a first group of one or more polymers. The sheath is a second primary unit a combination of a second set of yarns or one or more polymer coatings. The second set of yarns being made from a second group of one or more polymers, wherein the composite is made by covering the core with the sheath, and the composite is compression molded to allow the sheath to bond to the core. The bone-repair composite has a bending modulus comparable to that of a mammalian bone, such that the ratio of the core to the sheath is provided to maximize the mechanical strength of the bone-repair composite to mimic the mammalian bone.

A system, method, and computer program product for allowing any surgeon, including those surgeons who perform a fewer number of a replacement procedure as compared to a more experienced surgeon who performs a greater number of procedures, to provide an improved likelihood of a favorable outcome approaching, if not exceeding, a likelihood of a favorable outcome as performed by a very experienced surgeon with the replacement procedure, such as by understanding the prosthesis installation environment (e.g., cup/cavity interface) and to provide intelligent and interactive tools and methods to standardize the installation process and provide feedback regarding a quality of insertion/installation. Force sensing is included to aid in quantifying installation of an implant, particularly a cup into a pelvic bone.

An orthopedic measurement system is disclosed to measure leg alignment. The measurement system includes a tri-axial gyroscope configured to measure movement of a leg. The gyroscope is coupled to a tibia of the leg. For example, the gyroscope can be placed in an insert or tibial prosthetic component that couples to the tibia. The gyroscope is used to measure alignment relative to the mechanical axis of the leg. The leg alignment measurement is performed by putting the leg through a first leg movement and a second leg movement. The gyroscope outputs angular velocities on the axes the sensor is rotated about. The gyroscope is coupled to a computer that calculates the alignment of the leg relative to the mechanical axis from the gyroscope measurement data.

The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

The invention relates to a device for testing a ceramic socket insert for hip joint implants having a receiving device, a pressure piece and optionally having a plunger, wherein the receiving device has a recess with a positioning region for receiving the socket insert and the recess has a receiving cone in the positioning region. According to the invention, in order for the device to be universally applicable to all socket inserts (monolithic, modular, pre-joined) and therefore replace all current devices, an annular ductile adapter piece having a conical outer surface contacting the receiving cone and an inner surface contacting the socket insert is arranged in the positioning region between the receiving device and the socket insert, wherein the friction between the receiving device and adapter piece is lower than between the adapter piece and socket insert.

A testing apparatus for exposing an associated specimen(s) to motions along multiple axes is provided. The testing apparatus includes a test chamber and first, second, third, and fourth devices that impose different kinematic motions or forces on the specimen. A drive mechanism is connected to the first, second, third, and fourth devices so that motion from a single axis is conveyed by the first, second, third and fourth devices to deliver the desired kinematic motions and/or forces to the test chamber(s). At least one of the first, second, third, and fourth devices includes an adjustment mechanism to modify at least one of the devices.

Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) are introduced as compliant deployable flexures that can span gaps between segments in a mechanism and then lay flat when under strain in a stowed position. This paper presents models of Euler spiral beams combined in series and parallel that can be used to design compact compliant mechanisms. Constraints on the flexure parameters of DESCs are also presented. Analytic models developed for the force-deflection behavior and stress were compared to finite element analysis and experimental data. A spinal implant and a linear ratcheting system are presented as illustrative applications of DESCs.