An apparatus having at least one anatomical support member which comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting and at least one articulating joint unit is in engagement with the at least one of anatomical support member. The joint is positionable in at least a vertical and horizontal orientations enabling smooth positioning of portions of an anatomy in three dimensions such that translational and/or rotational centrepoints in its x, y and z axes substantially coincide. The joint is preferably made of by material(s) that do not cause substantial radiographic or nuclear imaging artifacts when medically imaged thereby.

A shoulder hold-down is provided for use in securing at least a shoulder of a patient in position relative to a surgical frame. The shoulder hold-down includes a locking mechanism that is adjustable to afford positioning of a shoulder engaging portion for contacting the patient. The locking mechanism facilitates at least four (4) modes of adjustment to position the shoulder engaging portion relative to the patient.

A sterile hand connection device is used to attach a patient's arm to a cable adaptor of a surgical arm positioning apparatus. The cable adaptor is connected to two cable ends of a cable of the surgical arm positioning apparatus. The hand connection includes a clip, a buckle, and a wrap that is mounted to the clip. The buckle is attached to the cable adaptor and the clip snaps onto the buckle. The hand wrap is mounted to the clip and wraps around a patient's hand, wrist, and forearm.

An apparatus having at least one anatomical support member which comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting and at least one articulating joint unit is in engagement with the at least one of anatomical support member. The joint is positionable in at least a vertical and horizontal orientations enabling smooth positioning of portions of an anatomy in three dimensions such that translational and/or rotational centrepoints in its x, y and z axes substantially coincide. The joint is preferably made of by material(s) that do not cause substantial radiographic or nuclear imaging artifacts when medically imaged thereby.

An apparatus that controls the rotation of an operative limb during shoulder surgery is composed of three parts: 1) a mechanism that is part of the durable apparatus, and which allows the limb to be suspended from the system and traction weights applied, but is configured in such a manner that the cable or other connecting member does not rotate about its axis; 2) a sterile connector that acts as the interface between the non-sterile durable apparatus and a sterile patient-contacting disposable drape; and 3) the disposable drape which is secured to the patient's operative arm. One of the sterile connector and the disposable drape contains a feature that allows the physician to rotate and hold the limb in any desired position, without requiring that it be manually held in place.

Systems and methods for ligament balancing during robotic surgery. One or more transducers are positioned within a knee joint to detect forces indicative of tension in ligaments and to provide output based on the detected forces. A distraction device is used to provide a distraction force to cause movement of a distal end portion of a femur relative to a proximal end portion of a tibia to increase tension in the ligaments. Information associated with output from the transducers is displayed for viewing.

A surgical arm positioning system has a cable including two end portions coupled to a connection member of a hand grip. The cable and connection member form a continuous loop. The surgical arm positioning system further includes a frame that supports a number of pulleys. The continuous loop is trained around the pulleys. The surgical arm positioning system also includes a tensile resistance member engaged with the cable. The tensile resistance member provides tensile force to the cable to resist movement of the continuous loop relative to the frame, thereby to hold the patient's arm relatively still during surgery.

Methods for preparing a bone in surgery using an imaging system, a navigation system having a locating device, and a robotic system having a cutting tool. A cannula is guided into an incision to expand the incision and provide access to the bone so that the cutting tool is insertable through the cannula to remove material from the bone. An implant is insertable through the cannula to be placed in the bone.

Devices to secure the hand of a patient to a limb positioning device while evenly distributing the applied traction load across the patient's hand and wrist are disclosed. The hand is placed in the open position into a soft mitten, while an anatomically-shaped plate is attached to the mitten for supporting the palm of the hand in the open position. Straps are then secured around the patient's wrist and hand. Finally, the entire device is overwrapped an elastic bandage and secured to the limb positioning device. When traction is applied, the shape of the plate, the construction of the mitten, and the straps combine to allow low-contact pressure across the patient's hand and wrist.

Described herein are exemplary embodiments of patient positioning systems for supporting and positioning a patient in an inclined position during medical treatment, such as in the Reverse Trendelenburg position. Some embodiments comprise a flexible, air-impermeable shell having a torso portion configured to support the patient's torso and secure the positioner to the support surface, an intermediate portion integrally coupled to an inferior end of the torso portion, and a suprapubic portion integrally coupled to an inferior end of the intermediate portion opposite the torso portion and configured to extend along the patient's perineal-pubic region when the shell is evacuated of air. When evacuated of air, the positioner is configured to hold the patient in an inclined position on an inclined support surface with the patient's head above the patient's hips such that the intermediate and/or suprapubic portions physically block the patient from sliding feet-first down the inclined support surface.