US20040243148A1 - Use of micro- and miniature position sensing devices for use in TKA and THA - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/461,173 entitled “USE OF MICRO- AND MINIATURE POSITION SENSING DEVICES FOR USE IN TKA AND THA”, filed Apr. 8, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.[0001]
BACKGROUND
• Image guided surgery is being evaluated to assist a surgeon in positioning various implant components in joint arthroplasty. These image-guided systems typically rely on infrared sensors to gauge the position of the prosthetic devices and jigs in the three coordinate system. However, these systems are bulky and may also require one or more of the components thereof to be mounted to bone. In addition, these systems require a direct line of sight that makes it difficult for the surgeon to both operate and “stay out of the way” of the infrared transmissions. It is highly unlikely that these bulky devices will be useful in the small confines of minimally invasive surgery where direct line of sight will be at a premium. Additionally, the time required to use these devices can extend surgery time substantially.[0002]
SUMMARY
• The present invention is directed to miniature sensing devices for use in surgical procedures and devices used therein. The invention utilizes, at least in part, generally two classes of devices: micro- and miniature sensing devices and associated micro- and miniature transmitting devices. Data from the sensing devices may be transmitted by the transmitting devices wirelessly to one or more data conditioning devices that may be operatively coupled to or include one or more displays and/or data recording devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensors include microgyroscopes oriented to output data relevant to three axes of position and/or movement. The microgyroscopes are operatively coupled to a wireless transmitter for transmitting the positional data to a data conditioning device, which may be operatively coupled to or include a visual display and a data recording device. Exemplary transmission protocols include, without limitation, ISM (b) and FSK modulation or spread spectrum modulation.[0003]
• In a further detailed exemplary embodiment, the micro- or miniature sensors of the present invention may be mounted to surgical tools such as individual cutting jigs, alignment instrumentation (e.g., acetabular reamers, extramedullary tibial cutter), prosthetic trials and positioning devices (e.g., cup inserter), final prosthetic devices (e.g., central screw in acetabular shell), and/or the patient (e.g., to the patient's bone or other tissue). The micro- or miniature sensing devices generate data, such as position data in the three coordinates, orientation data, and/or movement data, that is transmitted to a data conditioning device. Exemplary data conditioning devices may be operatively coupled to or include, without limitation, visual displays for simulating virtual surgical environments, auditory advisory devices, and/or a computer to track the movement of the surgical device during the surgical procedure. The differing size restrictions for various surgical procedures and surgical equipment may be significant factors in the choice of sensing devices and transmission methodology. In addition to the micro- or miniature gyroscopes, additional sensing devices adapted for use with the present invention may include, without limitation, micro- or miniature inclinometers, accelerometers, and magnetometers.[0004]
• The present invention is discussed in exemplary form with respect to joint arthroplasty, however, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable to further surgical procedures and equipment apparent to one of ordinary skill and likewise fall within the scope of the present invention.[0005]
• Therefore it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.[0006]
• It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool, a prosthetic component, and a surgical implant; (b) a sensor carried by the surgical device, the sensor operatively coupled to a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data including at least one of positional data and orientational data outputted from the sensor; and (c) a computer system including a visual display, a wireless receiver, and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting the sensor data received by the wireless receiver into visual feedback information for viewing on the visual display.[0007]
• It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a sensor mounted to a surgical device, the sensor taken from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer; (b) a digital processing device operatively coupled to the sensor to receive data derived from data output from the sensor, the digital processing device generating a display output; and (c) a display operatively coupled to the digital processing device and adapted to receive the display output, where the display output displays the change in at least one of position and orientation of the sensor with respect to a point of reference.[0008]
• It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a computer system having signal conditioning hardware and software; (b) a surgical instrument having an instrument positional sensor carried thereon, the instrument positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit instrument positional data thereto; and (c) a prosthetic component having a prosthetic component positional sensor carried thereon, the prosthetic component positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit prosthetic component positional data thereto.[0009]
• It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a computer system having signal conditioning hardware and software; (b) a first surgical instrument having a first instrument positional sensor carried thereon, the first instrument positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit first instrument positional data thereto; and (c) a second surgical instrument having a second instrument positional sensor carried thereon, the second instrument positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit second instrument positional data thereto.[0010]
• It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a computer system having signal conditioning hardware and software; (b) a field generating device generating a detectable field approximate a reference object; and (c) at least one of a surgical instrument and a prosthetic component having a sensor carried thereon for sensing the detectable field, the sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit positional data thereto relative to the detectable field.[0011]
• It is a seventh aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a sensor mounted to a prosthetic trial, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and (b) a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor.[0012]
• It is an eighth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a sensor mounted to a prosthetic component, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and (b) a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor.[0013]
• It is a ninth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a sensor mounted to a surgical jig, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and (b) a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor.[0014]
• It is a tenth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a sensor mounted to a surgical device, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and (b) a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor, where the surgical device is utilized in at least one of a total knee arthroplasty procedure and a total hip arthroplasty procedure.[0015]
• It is an eleventh aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a sensor mounted to a surgical implant, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer; (b) a digital processing device operatively coupled to the sensor to receive data derived from data output from the sensor, the digital processing device generating a display output; and (c) a display operatively coupled to the digital processing device and adapted to receive the display output, where the display output displays the change in at least one of position and orientation of the sensor with respect to a point of reference.[0016]
• It is a twelfth aspect of the present invention to provide a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) a surgical instrument having an instrument positional sensor associated therewith, the instrument positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the instrument positional sensor indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; (b) an implantable prosthetic device having a prosthetic device positional sensor associated therewith, the prosthetic device positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the prosthetic device positional sensor indicative of the position of the implantable prosthetic device; (c) a surgical jig having a jig positional sensor associated therewith, the jig positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the jig positional sensor indicative of the position of the surgical jig; (d) an anatomical positional sensor adapted to be mounted to an anatomical feature of a patient, the anatomical positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the anatomical positional sensor indicative of the position of the anatomical feature; and (e) a data processing device comprising: (i) a receiver adapted to receive the transmitted output data, (ii) processing circuitry to transform the transmitted output data, (iii) a digital device operatively coupled to the processing circuitry including software operative to convert transformed sensor output data into relative position data adapted to be viewable to reflect at least one of position and orientation of at least one of the surgical instrument, the implantable prosthetic device, the surgical jig, and the anatomical positional sensor, and (iv) a visual display for viewing the relative position data.[0017]
• It is a thirteenth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of supplementing a surgical procedure using a surgical telemetry system comprising: (a) using a surgical device including a sensor mounted thereto, the sensor taken from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer, and the surgical device taken from the group consisting of a surgical instrument, a prosthesis or a surgical jig; (b) operatively coupling the sensor of the surgical device to at least one of a wired receiver and a wireless receiver to receive output data generated by the sensor indicative of at least one of position data and orientation data; and (c) generating feedback data derived from the output data of the sensor.[0018]
• It is a fourteenth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a medical device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) associating at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer with a medical device; and (b) associating a wireless transmitter with at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer, where the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit wireless data derived from output data from at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer.[0019]
• It is a fifteenth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a prosthetic device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) associating at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer with a prosthetic device; and (b) associating a wireless transmitter with at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer, where the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit wireless data derived from output data from at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer.[0020]
• It is a sixteenth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of generating telemetry data regarding the position of an object during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a transmission from a transmitter operatively coupled to at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer associated with at least one of a medical device and a prosthetic device adapted for use with a surgical procedure; (b) processing the transmission from the transmitter into a format amendable to visual display; and (c) displaying the format onto the visual display such that changes in position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device are reflected in substantially real-time and correspond substantially to an actual position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device.[0021]
• It is a seventeenth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a surgical device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) associating at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer with a surgical device; and (b) associating a wireless transmitter with at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer, where the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit wireless data derived from output data from at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer.[0022]
• It is an eighteenth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of generating telemetry data regarding the position of an object during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a transmission from a transmitter operatively coupled to at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer associated with at least one of a surgical device, an implant, and a prosthetic component adapted for use with a surgical procedure; (b) processing the transmission from the transmitter into a format amendable to visual display; and (c) displaying the format onto a visual display such that changes in position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device are reflected in substantially real-time and correspond substantially to an actual position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device.[0023]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0024]
• FIG. 2 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0025]
• FIG. 3 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0026]
• FIG. 4 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0027]
• FIG. 5 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0028]
• FIG. 6 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0029]
• FIG. 7 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0030]
• FIG. 8 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0031]
• FIG. 9 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0032]
• FIG. 10 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0033]
• FIG. 11 is a representative and schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0034]
• FIG. 12 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0035]
• FIG. 13 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0036]
• FIG. 14 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0037]
• FIG. 15 is an X-ray taken of the representative view of FIG. 14;[0038]
• FIG. 16 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0039]
• FIG. 17 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0040]
• FIG. 18 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0041]
• FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0042]
• FIG. 20 is a representation illustrating movements of a body for sensing by a gyroscope sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;[0043]
• FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of a gyroscope sensor for use with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and[0044]
• FIG. 22 is a schematic circuit diagram representation of a three-axis magnetic field detector set up.[0045]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to systems and associated methods that may provide visual or other telemetry regarding the orientation and/or position of surgical devices and jigs, anatomical features, and/or final and trial prosthetic components for use with surgical procedures such as, without limitation, total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty.[0046]
• As discussed herein, the present invention may be incorporated with various medical devices such as, without limitation, saws, drills, hammers, reamers, screwdrivers, cup alignment instruments, guide-rods of an intramedullary femoral and tibial cutting jig, and extramedullary femoral and tibial cutting jigs. The invention may also be incorporated with various final and trial prosthetic components such as, without limitation, cup inserters, screw cap domes, prosthetic knee tibial trays, prosthetic knee trial stems, prosthetic knee trial tibial trays, prosthetic knee femoral components, prosthetic knee trial femoral components, and intramedullary extensions and stems. Still further, the invention may also be incorporated with implanted devices not encompassed by prosthetics or prosthetic trails.[0047]
• Referring to FIG. 1, the invention utilizes one or more micro- or[0048]miniature sensors10 mounted to or within (carried by) asurgical device12, an anatomical feature of apatient14, and/or a final ortrial prosthetic component16 to generate feedback or telemetry data during a surgical procedure regarding the position and/or orientation of the device, anatomical feature, and/or the component alone, with respect to one another, and/or with respect to a reference point. As discussed in more detail below, each micro- orminiature sensor10 outputs data regarding position, orientation and/or movement of that sensor which is indicative of the position and/or orientation of the device, anatomical feature, or component which carries it. In specific embodiments, such output data is generated in real-time and continues to be generated in a three dimensional coordinate system as the sensor changes position and/or orientation.
• The sensor output data may be utilized to generate a visual representation of the position and/or orientation of the device, anatomical feature, or component using a[0049]visual display18. Adisplay system20 may include signal conditioning hardware andsoftware21 for receiving sensor data from the sensor and for converting such sensor data into a visual image on avisual display18 operatively coupled thereto or included therewith. Exemplary visual displays may include, for example and without limitation, a television screen, a computer monitor, a projected image, and a virtual reality headset/visor. In this manner, a surgeon (or any other party) can visually discern substantially in real-time the position and/or orientation of the device, feature, or component and any changes thereto during a surgical procedure within the operating room or even from a remote location. This may be particularly useful during surgical procedures where a direct line of sight from a particular angle may not be possible, for instance, in minimally invasive surgery characterized by small incisional openings.
• The conditioning hardware and[0050]software21 of thedisplay system20 may have access to three dimensional maps of the surgical devices and prosthetic components, including data indicative of the location of the micro- or miniature sensors carried thereby, to facilitate the generation of an electronic 3-D image of the devices and prosthetic components. With these 3-D maps in place, the sensor output data may be associated with the 3-D images to create correlated 3-D data in a one-to-one manner showing any actual change in position of the device or component. It is likewise within the scope of the invention that the image data is not generated in a one-to-one manner such that the device or component may be visually magnified for viewing ease and effect. Generally, an increase in the number of strategically positioned sensors carried by a particular surgical device will result in a more accurate the 3-D correlation.
• Many applications of the present invention will involve providing additional micro- or[0051]miniature reference sensors22 on one or more reference objects so that the conditioning hardware andsoftware21 of thedisplay system20 will be configured to generate displays representing the position, orientation and/or movement of the surgical devices with respect to the reference object(s). Exemplary reference objects may include a patient's bone or other point on the patient's anatomy, an implant, a prosthetic trial component, a final prosthetic component, another surgical tool or instrument, a device worn by the patient, and an operating room object such as an operating table or restraining device. Such reference sensors will also output data regarding position, orientation and/or movement indicative of the position and/or orientation of the device, anatomical feature, or component which carries it. In specific embodiments, such output data is generated in real-time and continues to be generated in a three dimensional coordinate system as the reference sensor changes position and/or orientation. The reference sensor output data may be utilized to generate a visual representation of the position and/or orientation of the reference device, anatomical feature, or component using thevisual display18. In specific embodiments, the conditioning hardware andsoftware21 of thedisplay system20 may have access to three dimensional maps of the reference objects, including data indicative of the location of the reference micro- orminiature sensors22 carried thereby, to facilitate the generation of an electronic 3-D image of the reference objects.
• An exemplary use of the present invention includes “targeting”. Targeting includes identifying the relative location and/or orientation of one or more surgical devices, prosthetic components, implants, anatomical features, and surgical jigs. An exemplary instance may include a prosthetic trial femoral component being coupled to a surgical stem inserter by way of a threaded interface between the stem of the inserter and the proximal shoulder of the trial femoral component for use in a total hip arthroplasty procedure. After the trial femoral component is positioned within the femur, the inserter may be rotated to disengage from the femoral component so that the surgeon may test the range of motion of the patient's hip without having the inserter as an obstruction. Targeting includes utilizing sensors or other articles associated with the trial component to ascertain the position and/or orientation of the trial component, as well as sensors or other articles associated with the inserter to ascertain the position and/or orientation of the inserter. Thus, the surgeon can align the inserter with the opening within the shoulder of the trial femoral component and engage the inserter with the trial femoral component to facilitate removal of the trial femoral component without with a direct line of sight, such as, without limitation, in minimally invasive surgery. It is to be understood that targeting simply refers to knowing the position and/or orientation of at least one of a surgical device, a prosthetic component, an implant, an anatomical feature, and a surgical jig with respect to a point of reference, and optionally being able to engage or disengage a device without a direct line of sight.[0052]
• Further exemplary uses of the present invention include monitoring the progress of a surgical instrument, such as the current depth of a reaming instrument, toward the intended goal position, which may or may not be or include a reference object. An exemplary monitoring function might also include providing orientation and position feedback such as how far apart a device or tool is from a prosthetic component or whether or not the surgeon is correctly orienting the surgical instrument, the prosthetic component, or the surgical jig with respect to an intended target position and/or orientation.[0053]
• The surgical devices, prosthetic components, implants, and surgical jigs include one or more micro- or[0054]miniature sensors10 that output data regarding the position, orientation, and/or movement of structures mounted thereto or incorporated therewith. In an exemplary form, the micro- or miniature sensors may include three or more microgyroscopes carried by the device, component, implant, orjig12 that are positioned/oriented such that each microgyroscope outputs data regarding changes in one of the X, Y, and Z planes in a three dimensional coordinate system. The microgyroscopes are operatively coupled to one or more micro- orminiature RF transmitters24 that are also carried by the device, component, implant, orjig12, where the RF transmitter transmits sensor output data from the microgyroscopes to anRF receiver26 provided by thedisplay system20. As discussed above, the surgical devices, prosthetic components, and surgical jigs may be 3-D mapped to assist the conditioning hardware andsoftware21 of thedisplay system20 in generating an electronic, virtual representation of the surgical device, prosthetic component, implant, or surgical jig on the associated display. Sensor output data is utilized by the conditioning hardware andsoftware21 of thedisplay system20 to impart substantially real-time position, orientation, and/or movement to the virtual representation shown on thedisplay screen18.
• Referencing FIG. 2, a first detailed exemplary application of the present invention includes a[0055]surgical reamer30 adapted for use with a total hip arthroplasty procedure and having at least one micro- orminiature sensor32 associated therewith. Anexemplary sensor32 may include individually or in combination, without limitation, inclinometers, accelerometers, magnetometers, and microgyroscopes. Thesensor32 is coupled to a micro- orminiature transmitter device34, which may be carried on thesurgical reamer30, to wirelessly broadcast sensor data regarding the position and/or orientation of thesurgical reamer30 with respect to thepelvis36 in three axes of movement, represented by planes β, α and θ. Awireless receiver38, operatively coupled to adisplay system40, receives the signals broadcast by thetransmitter34 and forwards the data derived from the signals for display upon thesystem40. Thedisplay system40 is designed to inform the surgeon regarding the position and/or orientation of thesurgical reamer30, for example, continuously during surgery. In a further exemplary embodiment, thesurgical reamer30 may include one or more micro- or miniature sensors strategically carried thereon capable of sensing changes in position, orientation, and/or movement in one or more of the axes of movement.
• In a more detailed exemplary embodiment, films of a patient to undergo total hip arthroplasty are taken preoperatively and are utilized to create registration and calculate the depth of acetabular reaming necessary during the procedure. Thereafter, such calculations are input into a[0056]data positioning device42, operatively coupled to thedisplay40, to reflect the position of thereamer30 with respect to the patient'spelvis36. Alternatively, thedata positioning device42 may be operatively coupled to thereamer30 to interface with thesensor32 and measure conditions indicative of the orientation and/or position of thereamer30 relative to the current depth of the reaming and/or the predetermined depth necessary for proper reaming. In accordance with the predetermined calculations, where such measurements may be independent of bone position, thereamer30 may be automatically stopped or slowed if the desired position and/or orientation of the reamer is outside of a predetermined tolerance. By way of example, and not a limitation, thereamer30 may be slowed or turned off if the orientation and/or position data reflects that too deep of a depression is being created by the surgeon reaming the acetabulum of thepelvis36. Likewise, if the reaming appears to be awry from the intended orientation, the reamer will slow or stop to discontinue reaming in the awry orientation.
• Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second detailed exemplary application may include one or more micro- or[0057]miniature sensors52 associated with asurgical drill50 and anintramedullary hole starter50′ that may be used in a total knee arthroplasty procedure to facilitate correct positioning of the intramedullary stems and placement of the intramedullary locator.Exemplary sensors52 may include individually or in combination, without limitation, inclinometers, accelerometers, magnetometers, and microgyroscopes. Thesensor52 may be coupled to a micro- orminiature transmitter device54, which may also be carried on thesurgical drill50 or theintramedullary hole starter50′, to wirelessly broadcast sensor data regarding the position and/or orientation of the surgical drill and bit50 or theintramedullary hole starter50′ with respect to a patient'sfemur56 in three axes of movement, represented by planes A, B, and C.A wireless receiver58, operatively coupled to adisplay system60, receives the signals broadcast by thetransmitter54 and forwards the data derived from the signals for display upon thesystem60. Thedisplay system60 is designed to inform the surgeon regarding the position and/or orientation of thesurgical drill50 or theintramedullary hole starter50′ to ensure proper alignment with respect to thefemur56. In a further exemplary embodiment, thesurgical drill50 and/or theintramedullary hole starter50′ may include at least three micro- or miniature sensors strategically carried thereon capable of sensing changes in position, orientation, and/or movement in three axes. In yet another exemplary embodiment, thesurgical drill50 and/or theintramedullary hole starter50′ may include fewer than three sensors providing position and/or orientation data in less than three axes of movement.
• Referencing FIGS. 4 and 5, in a more detailed exemplary embodiment, films of a patient to undergo total knee arthroplasty are taken preoperatively and are utilized to calculate the depth of drilling necessary for proper accommodation of one or more[0058]surgical jigs62 and component stems. Thereafter, such calculations are input into adata positioning device64, operatively coupled to thedisplay60 to reflect the position of thedrill50 with respect to the patient'sfemur56. Alternatively, thedata positioning device64 may be operatively coupled to thedrill50 to interface with thesensor52 and measure conditions indicative of the orientation and/or position of thedrill50 relative to a predetermined depth. In accordance with the predetermined calculations, thedrill50 may be automatically stopped or slowed if the desired position and/or orientation of the drill bit is outside of a predetermined tolerance. By way of example, and not a limitation, thedrill50 may be slowed or turned off if the orientation and/or position data reflects that the alignment of the drill bit is off from a predetermined acceptable tolerance. In addition, if the drilling appears to be at or approaching the intended depth, thedrill50 may slow or stop to discontinue drilling.
• Further exemplary embodiments may include a surgical saw including one or more micro- or miniature sensors associated therewith for use during a total knee arthroplasty procedure. Exemplary sensors may include individually or in combination, without limitation, inclinometers, accelerometers, magnetometers, and microgyroscopes. Each sensor is operatively coupled to a feedback device, such as a display system, to provide information to a surgeon regarding the position and/or orientation of the surgical saw. For instance, the surgeon may want to verify the depth of cutting to ensure that tissue damage outside of that expected does not occur. Exemplary components of a feedback device may include, without limitation, the display system introduced above, as well as an auditory feedback device such as an earpiece speaker. In each instance, the feedback device is designed to inform the surgeon regarding the position and/or orientation of the surgical instrument during surgery.[0059]
• A third detailed exemplary application may include one or more micro- or miniature sensors associated with a surgical instrument and one or more micro- or miniature reference sensors associated with a selected anatomical feature to monitor the position of the instrument relative to the anatomical feature and possibly cease or slow operation of the instrument upon reaching a predetermined position relative to the anatomical feature. More detailed exemplary applications include total hip arthroplasty where one might prevent: (1) reaming too deep during acetabular preparation; (2) over-penetration during drilling of acetabular screw holes; (3) over-penetration during depth gauging of acetabular screw holes; (4) broaching too deep; and (5) inadequate reaming of the acetabulum.[0060]
• Referencing FIG. 6, a[0061]surgical reamer70 includes at least one magnetometer72 operatively coupled to atransmitter74 that may be carried by thereamer70. A number ofmagnets76 may be implanted circumferentially around anacetabulum78 of a pelvis80, where the magnets may have varying field strengths. The position of thereamer70 may be measured in part using the earth's magnetic field, and more specifically, using the magnetic fields generated by themagnets76 positioned about theacetabulum78. Still further, an artificial magnetic field may be selectively created by afield generating device82 to facilitate gauging the position of thereamer70 independent of the pelvis80. As the position of thereamer70 in any of the three axes of movement is changed, the magnetometer72 may detect the earth's magnetic field and/or the artificial magnetic field. The magnetometer72 may be coupled to adata positioning device84 capable of utilizing the magnetometer72 output to discern the changes in position of thereamer70. Those of ordinary skill in the art are aware of the practices through which magnetometers72 may be used to monitor changes in position. In addition, the magnetometer72 may likewise detect magnetic fields and field strengths associated with themagnets74 to provide relevant magnetic field data to thepositioning device84 to calculate the relative position of thereamer70 with respect the magnets positioned around theacetabulum78, and thereby the pelvis80. Thedata positioning device84 may be operatively coupled to a display ordata readout86 to enable the surgeon to reposition thereamer70, based at least in part, upon the outputted data. In this manner, a surgeon may reposition and align thereamer70 without requiring a direct line of sight. It is to be understood that other sensors may be used in place of the magnetometers and magnets to facilitate positioning and orienting thereamer70 with respect to theacetabulum78.
• A further detailed exemplary application includes microgyroscopes mounted within the femoral broaches to determine the broach position within the femoral canal. In another detailed exemplary application, circular gyro rings are positioned distally along the femur to supplement the orientation and alignment of the broach within the femoral canal.[0062]
• In a fourth detailed exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature sensors are associated with a surgical instrument and one or more micro- or miniature reference sensors are associated with a surgical jig to monitor the position of the instrument with respect to the jig and possibly cease operation of the instrument upon reaching a predetermined position relative to the jig. Exemplary sensors to be associated with a surgical instrument include, without limitation, accelerometers, inclinometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes. More detailed exemplary applications include: (1) ensuring that the saw is inserted and operative to a proper depth through a slot in the jig (no registration); (2) ensuring that the proper orientation (correct valgus/varus/slope) is achieved while cutting with a saw (with registration); and (3) ensuring proper drill penetration through an acetabular screw hole (independent of bone registration). Still further, exemplary sensors to be associated with a surgical jig include, without limitation, accelerometers, inclinometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes. Exemplary positioning for the sensors associated with the jigs include, without limitation, within the guide rods of intramedullary femoral and tibial cutting jigs and/or extramedullary femoral and tibial cutting jigs to ensure that correct orientation exists between the saw and the jig prior to any bone being cut.[0063]
• Referencing FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment may include a[0064]surgical saw90 that includes one ormore microsensors92 associated therewith. Themicrosensors92 may be coupled to awireless transmitter94 carried by thesaw90 or may simply include leads from thesurgical saw90 coupled to adata positioning device96. Whenwireless transmitters94 are utilized, awireless receiver98 may be included to capture the wireless signals and forward such data to thedata positioning device96. Likewise, asurgical knee jig100 for use with a total knee arthroplasty procedure includes one ormore microsensors102, within theguide rod103, coupled to atransmitter104 associated therewith that output generated data that is received by thedata positioning device96. Thesurgical jig100 is adapted to be mounted to the distal end of afemur106 to prepare the distal end to accept a prosthetic femoral component (not shown). Thedata positioning device96 utilizes the data from themicrosensors92,102 to output data reflecting the relative position of thesaw90 with respect to thejig100 that may be viewed by a surgeon on avisual display108. Such data may be indicative of the depth of the cut as the position of thesaw90 changes with respect to thejig100, thereby allowing the surgeon to know the depth of the cut without necessitating a direct line of sight. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill that the cuts made by thesaw90 do not require registration to bone, but instead utilize the relative position and/or orientation of theintramedullary guide rod103. It is to be understood that the microsensors associated with thesurgical jig100 need not be identical in number and in function to those associated with thesurgical saw90.
• In a fifth detailed exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature reference sensors are associated with an anatomical feature and one or more micro- or miniature sensors are associated with a medical instrument adapted to position a prosthetic device. The sensors allow for the monitoring of the position of the prosthetic device with respect to the anatomical feature to ensure proper alignment of the prosthetic device. It is within the scope of the invention that anatomical features include, without limitation, bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments, and skin. In instances where a small incision is made and other internal landmarks may not be apparent, a combination of sensors on an anatomical feature and a medical instrument may assist in accurate placement of a prosthetic component without necessitating a direct line of sight.[0065]
• Referencing FIG. 8, a[0066]surgical cup inserter10 includes at least one microgyroscope112 operatively coupled to a wireless transmitter114 that may be carried within the handle of theinserter110. The microgyroscope112 may be capable of sensing changes in movement in all three axes of movement and, via the transmitter114, disseminating such position data to aremote receiver116. Theremote receiver116 is operatively coupled to adata positioning device118 adapted to utilize the microgyroscope112 output data to determine the relative position of theinserter110 with respect to an anatomical feature (not shown). In an exemplary form, the anatomical feature may include the pelvis having one or more sensors mounted thereto that are operatively coupled to thedata positioning device118. Such sensors may be wired or wireless and include wireless transmitters where applicable. In an exemplary process, the pelvis (not shown) includes sensors positioned approximate the acetabulum to provide reference data in at least one dimension and a reference point for comparative analysis of the position data output by the microgyroscope112. As such, thedata positioning device118 is able to calculate the position of theinserter110 with respect to the pelvis, even as the position of theinserter110 changes with respect to the pelvis. Thedata positioning device118 may be operatively coupled to adisplay monitor120 to display the relative position of theinserter110 with respect to the pelvis, including the angle of insertion of theprosthetic cup122 within the acetabulum. This angle data may allow the surgeon to compare the current angle with a predetermined angle (which may have been calculated preoperatively using one or more X-rays or other position determining devices) and guide placement of the prosthetic cup into the correct abduction and anteversion orientation with respect to the acetabulum.
• Referring to FIG. 9, a sixth detailed exemplary application may include one or more micro- or[0067]miniature sensors130 mounted inside aprosthetic trial component132 to identify if the trial component is oriented correctly with respect to ananatomical feature134. More specifically, the prosthetic trial component, or femoralknee trial prosthesis132, includes one ormore sensors130 associated therewith that sense changes in orientation in free space and output such data to awireless transmitter134 within thetrial132. The anatomical feature, orfemur136, includes micro- orminiature sensors138 mounted thereto during a total knee arthroplasty procedure. The outputs of thesensors138 may be coupled to a wireless transmitter (not shown) or may be coupled directly to adata position device140 also receiving inputs indirectly from the micro- orminiature sensors130 within thefemoral knee prosthesis132. Avisual display142 may be operatively coupled to thedata positioning device140 to provide a visual representation, capable of rotation in three space, to enable the surgeon to see what cannot be seen via a direct line of sight.
• Referencing FIG. 10, an alternate exemplary embodiment of the sixth aspect may include one or more micro- or miniature sensors (not shown) mounted inside a[0068]prosthetic trial component152 to identify if the trial component is oriented correctly with respect to ananatomical feature154. More specifically, the prosthetic trial component, or femoralhip trial prosthesis152, includes one or more sensors associated therewith that sense changes in orientation in free space and output such data to a wireless transmitter (not shown) within thetrial component152. The anatomical feature, orfemur154, includes a micro- orminiature sensor156 mounted thereto during a total hip arthroplasty procedure. The output of the sensor may be coupled to a wireless transmitter (not shown) or may be coupled directly to adata position device156 also receiving inputs indirectly from the micro- or miniature sensors within the femoralhip trial prosthesis152. Avisual display158 may be operatively coupled to thedata positioning device156 to provide a visual representation, capable of rotation in three space, to enable the surgeon to see what cannot be seen via a direct line of sight. More specifically, the orientation of thetrial component152 may be monitored to verify that the trial component is within the femoral canal in varus or valgus. Still further, the relative anteversion of the stem of thefemoral hip trial152 may also be determined.
• In still a further exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature sensors may be mounted to trial prosthetic components to provide relevant data to optimize range of motion of the prosthetic joint by selecting final prosthetic components that mitigate dislocation tendencies. In addition, such trial prosthetic components may provide relevant data regarding ligament balance and joint kinematics function testing relevant to final prosthetic component selection.[0069]
• In a seventh detailed exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature sensors may be mounted to a prosthetic trail component. Prosthetic trail components are utilized by a surgeon to verify the relevant dimensions of the eventual prosthetic component to be implanted. In addition to sensing three dimensional positional data, such sensors may measure absolute values and range of motion to discern which prosthetic components fit best in a particular patient. Such measurements may also be compared to the position of one or more anatomical features, such as bone, where the bone has a micro- or miniature reference sensor mounted thereto or in proximity thereto. Such prosthetic components may be used with or without registration and may be utilized in a wide range of surgical procedures beyond total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty.[0070]
• Referencing FIG. 11, a seventh exemplary application may include one or more micro- or[0071]miniature sensors190 mounted inside aprosthetic trial component192 to provide feedback regarding the orientation of thetrial component192 during a total hip arthroplasty procedure. More specifically, the prosthetic trial component, or femoralhip trial prosthesis192, includes one ormore sensors190 associated therewith that sense changes in position and/or orientation in free space and output such data to awireless transmitter194 within theprosthesis192 while the trial is repositioned with respect to thefemur194. Adata position device196 receives signals from thetransmitter194 and calculates the position of theprosthesis192 and any changes in position in real-time. Visual representation regarding the orientation of theprosthesis192 may be shown on avisual display198 operatively coupled to thedata position device196. Thevisual display198 may be programmed to concurrently show the position of theprosthesis192 and the position of the patient's bone from preoperative X-rays or other data that effectively show the relative anatomical position of the patient. More specifically, the orientation of thetrial192 may be monitored to verify that thetrial192 is within thefemoral canal200 in varus or valgus. Still further, the relative anteversion of the stem of thefemoral trial192 may also be determined.
• Referencing FIG. 12, in a further detailed exemplary application, a[0072]surgical instrument210 andprosthetic trial component212 each have micro- or miniature sensors (not shown) associated therewith to provide guidance to maneuver theinstrument210 andtrial212 for insertion, impaction, and/or extraction of thetrial212. More specifically, the surgical instrument may include asurgical stem inserter210 having a threaded end adapted to be received within an opening on the shoulder of a trial femoralprosthetic component212. As discussed in a previous exemplary application, such an exemplary surgical instrument and exemplary prosthetic trial component may be useful in minimally invasive surgery where direct line of sight may not continuously be possible. Still further, such an exemplary surgical instrument and exemplary prosthetic trial component may be particularly useful in targeting and facilitate coupling and disengagement between the trials and surgical instruments without necessitating a direct line of sight or an unduly large incision.
• Referring to FIG. 13, an eighth detailed exemplary application may include one or more micro- or[0073]miniature sensors216 mounted to a tibial trayprosthetic device218 to provide positional and/or orientational information sufficient to discern if subsidence is occurring subsequent to total knee arthroplasty. Still further, one or more micro- or miniature sensors (not shown) may be mounted on a femoralprosthetic device220 to provide positional and/or orientational information sufficient to discern if the prosthetic knee joint222 and the range of motion associated therewith are within proper tolerances. Such information could be compared to data generated during prosthetic trial fittings, where the prosthetic trials included one or more micro- or miniature sensors, to verify that the final prosthetic components are mimicking the final prosthetic trial components on which the surgeon based the choice of final prosthetic components.
• In a further detailed exemplary application, the position and depth of a femoral prosthetic shaft within the femoral canal could be monitored over time to determine if subsidence or loosening was occurring after a total hip arthroplasty procedure.[0074]
• In a ninth detailed exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature sensors may be mounted to a prosthetic device or surgical retainer. A further detailed exemplary application includes associating one or more micro- or miniature sensors along an outer rim of a prosthetic cup to facilitate aligning and orienting the cup within the acetabulum. An additional exemplary embodiment includes one or more microgyroscopes placed within a femoral component trial to provide relevant data to determine varus and valgus and flexion and extension alignment relative the center of the femoral canal. An even further exemplary use may include mounting a micro- or miniature sensor to both the acetabulum and femoral component trials (in the femoral neck or in the femoral head) to discern the relative stability (range of movement (ROM) and angle of dislocation) between the two components.[0075]
• Referencing FIG. 14 and[0076]15, afemoral rod153 for use in repair of a fracturedfemur155 may include one or more micro- orminiature sensors151 associated therewith. Therod153 includes a plurality ofholes157 therethrough that are adapted to receivescrews159 to mount therod153 to thefemur155. However, before thescrews159 are introduced therein, a corresponding hole must be drilled through thefemur155 that is precisely aligned with one of the holes of therod153. One challenge to surgeons has been discerning the position and orientation of theholes157, then maintaining the position and orientation ofholes157 while drilling through thefemur155. Prior art techniques involved X-ray machines that were cumbersome and hindered the range of motion of the surgeon. The present invention, however, does not necessitate use of cumbersome X-ray machines, but relies upon the sensor orsensors151 associated with therod153 to discern the position of the holes therethrough.Exemplary sensors151 may include individually or in combination, without limitation, inclinometers, accelerometers, magnetometers, and microgyroscopes. Thesensor151 may be coupled to a micro- or miniature transmitter device to transmit sensor data regarding the position and/or orientation of therod153 in three axes of movement, represented by planes X, Y, and Z. A wireless receiver, operatively coupled to a display system, receives the signals broadcast by the transmitter and forwards the data derived from the signals for display upon the system. The display system is designed to provide feedback for the surgeon regarding the position and/or orientation of one or more holes within therod153.
• In a further exemplary application, a surgical drill may include one or more micro- or miniature sensors associated therewith, along with a femoral rod that includes one or more micro- or miniature sensors associated therewith for use in repair of a fractured femur. As discussed above, the rod includes a plurality of holes therethrough that are adapted to receive screws to mount the rod to the femur. The sensors associated with the rod provide position and/or orientation data regarding the holes through the rod, while the sensors associated with the drill provide position and/or orientation data regarding the position and/or orientation of the drill bit to align the drill bit with the holes in the rod without necessitating a direct line of sight prior to commencing the drilling. As discussed above, utilizing positional and/or orientational sensors alleviates the reliance upon cumbersome X-ray equipment.[0077]
• In still a further exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature sensors may be mounted to a prosthetic component to provide relevant data regarding the range of motion available to the patient. In addition, prosthetic components having one or more micro- or miniature sensors associated therewith may be compared against data generated by trial prosthetic components to compare the range of motion available to the patient. Still further, such prosthetic components may provide relevant data regarding ligament balance and joint kinematics function testing prior to termination of the surgical procedure. Even further, such prosthetic components may include sensors capable of generating positional and/or orientational data such that ligament balance and joint kinematics function can be assessed and compared to previous measurements to discern what, if any, changes have occurred over time.[0078]
• Referencing FIG. 16, a tenth detailed exemplary application may include one or more micro- or miniature sensors mounted to a screw[0079]cap dome screw161 to identify the position of a final prosthetic hip component. In one exemplary application, the screwcap dome screw161 provides feedback regarding the orientation of theinsert163 within thecup165 secured to thepelvis167 to ensure that theinsert163 is adequately impacted and adjacent to thecup165. In another exemplary application, the sensors may provide position and/or orientation data over time that may be detected and recorded to discern if one or more of the final prosthetic hip components have graduated in position and/or orientation over time.
• In an eleventh detailed exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature reference sensors are associated with an anatomical feature and one or more micro- or miniature sensors are associated with a prosthetic device. The sensors allow for the monitoring of the position of the prosthetic device with respect to the anatomical feature to track changes in the relationship between the prosthetic device and the anatomical feature over time. More specifically, the anatomical feature may include a patient's femur and the prosthetic device may include a femoral stem for use in a total hip arthroplasty procedure. Still further, the anatomical feature might comprise a patient's tibia and the prosthetic device may include a tibial tray for use in a total knee arthroplasty procedure.[0080]
• Referencing FIG. 17, a femoral[0081]prosthetic component171 includes at least one or more micro- orminiature reference sensors173 operatively coupled to awireless transmitter175. Thesensor173 may be capable of sensing changes in movement in all three axes of movement and, via thetransmitter175, disseminating such position data to a remote receiver. The remote receiver may be operatively coupled to a data positioning device adapted to utilize thesensor173 output data to determine the relative position of the femoralprosthetic component171 with respect to an anatomical feature, such as, without limitation, a patient'sfemur177. In an exemplary form, thefemur177 may include one ormore sensors179 mounted thereto that are operatively coupled to the data positioning device. Such sensors may be wired or wireless and include wireless transmitters where applicable. In an exemplary process, thesensors179 associated with thefemur177 provide reference data in at least one dimension and a reference point for comparative analysis of the position and/or orientation data output by thesensors173 associated with the femoralprosthetic component171. As such, the data positioning device is able to calculate the position of the femoralprosthetic component171 with respect to thefemur177, even as the position of theprosthetic component171 changes with respect to thefemur177. The data positioning device may be operatively coupled to a display monitor to display the relative position of theprosthetic component171 with respect to thefemur177, including the angle of insertion of theprosthetic component171 within thefemur177. This angle data may allow the surgeon to compare the current angle with a predetermined angle (which may have been calculated preoperatively using one or more X-rays or other position determining devices) and guide placement of the prosthetic component into the correct position.
• In a twelfth detailed exemplary application, one or more micro- or miniature reference sensors are associated with an implant, independent of a prosthetic or trial component, a surgical device, or a surgical jig. The implant may be positioned within an anatomical feature, such as, without limitation, the femoral canal. Likewise, the implant may be positioned adjacent to an anatomical feature, such as without limitation, the femoral bone. By using an implant with one or more micro- or miniature reference sensors, a point of reference may be established that is relatively fixed over time and in proximity to the area in which the surgeon is concerned.[0082]
• Referencing FIG. 18, an exemplary application may include one or more micro- or[0083]miniature sensors191 associated with animplant193.Exemplary sensors191 may include individually or in combination, without limitation, inclinometers, accelerometers, magnetometers, and microgyroscopes. Thesensor191 may be coupled to a micro- orminiature transmitter device195 to transmit sensor data regarding the position and/or orientation of theimplant193 in three axes of movement. A wireless receiver, operatively coupled to a display system, receives the signals broadcast by thetransmitter195 and forwards the data derived from the signals for display upon the system. The display system is designed to provide a reference point for the surgeon regarding the position and/or orientation of one or more surgical instruments, final and trial prosthetic components, and surgical jigs used during a surgical procedure.
• In a further exemplary embodiment, the[0084]implant193 is inserted into afemoral canal197 of a patient'sfemur199 during a total hip arthroplasty procedure. In such an exemplary embodiment, a prostheticfemoral component201 likewise includes one or more micro- orminiature sensors203 associated therewith and in communication with awireless transmitter205 that provides relevant data regarding the position of thefemoral component201. Likewise, theimplant193 may provide relevant data that is imputed to the position and/or orientation of a patient'sfemur199. In this manner, the surgeon can precisely make one or more cuts with a surgical saw (not shown) concerning the proximal portion of the patient'sfemur199 prior to insertion of theprosthetic component201. In addition, when theprosthetic component201 is ready for insertion, the surgeon may leave theimplant193 in place and may utilize the position data from thesensors191 as a point of reference for positioning and orienting theprosthetic component201.
• It is also within the scope of the present invention to replace one or more of the reference sensors with transmitting devices, such as, without limitation, magnets. In this manner, the signal or field generated may be detected by one or more reference sensors, such as, without limitation, magnetometers. Likewise, other transmitting devices and sensors, such as piezoelectric sensors, known to those of ordinary skill will likewise fall within the scope of the present invention.[0085]
• While some of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments have been discussed with respect to total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty, the same principles and advantages are likewise applicable for other medical procedures where microgyroscopes or other sensors may be mounted to one or more surgical devices, anatomical features, implants, and prosthetic components to ensure that the object is oriented properly with respect to one or more points of reference.[0086]
• Current technology in reference sensors such as that disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication Nos. 2002/0180306 and 2002/0104376, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, evidences substantial development in reducing the size of such sensors utilizing nanotechnology.[0087]
• The exemplary sensors discussed herein and adapted for use with the present invention may fall within generally two classes: source and sourceless. Source sensors rely on artificial stimuli such as generated magnetic fields or outputs from other artificial devices for one or more points of reference. In exemplary form, a pair of source sensors may rely on each other for relative points of reference. In a further exemplary form, a first sensor may be mounted to a first object and a reference sensor may be mounted to a second object, where the first sensor utilizes a magnetic field or other output generated by the reference sensor to provide a reference point as to the movement of the second sensor with respect to the first sensor. Likewise, the reference sensor may utilize a magnetic field or other output from the first sensor as a reference point as to the movement of the reference sensor with respect to the first sensor. In this manner, a surgeon is able to manipulate a first object having the first sensor mounted thereto with respect to the second object with the second sensor mounted thereto without necessitating a direct line of sight to position the first object in relation to the second object.[0088]
• A second class of sensors, sourceless sensors, relies on natural or ever-present stimuli such as the earth's magnetic field or gravity. Exemplary sourceless sensors may utilize the magnetic field and/or gravity of the earth to provide a fixed reference point for measurements such as tilt and level. Such sensors may be self-contained and, unlike some source sensors, do not require a transducer to create an artificial stimulus or field.[0089]
• As shown in FIG. 19, a first exemplary sensor technology available for use with the present invention is the Flock of Birds, and more specifically, the microBIRD technology commercially available from Ascension Technology Corporation (see http://www.ascension-tech.com/products/microbird.php), and patented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,849,692 and 4,945,305, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Flock of Birds is a magnetic-transducing technique that measures the position and orientation of one or more[0090]receiving antenna sensors10′ located on the surgical device, tool, prosthetic component, orimplant12′ with respect to atransmitter22′ located on areference object16′. Thetransmitter22′ includes three individual antennae arranged concentrically to generate a multiplicity of DC magnetic fields that are picked up by thesensor10′. The sensor measures the position and orientation of theobject16′ which carries it. Thesensor10′ consists of three axes of antenna that are sensitive to DC magnetic fields. Thetransmitter22′ includes a driver that provides a controlled amount of DC current to each axis of the transmitter. Both thesensor10′ and thetransmitter22′ driver may be modified in the present invention to facilitate wireless communication with thedisplay system20′. Thedisplay system20′ controls the amount of DC current provided by thetransmitter22′ driver to thetransmitter22′ axis. The signal output from thesensor10′ is transmitted back to the conditioning hardware andsoftware21′ of thedisplay system20′, which conditions and processes the signal to compute position and orientation of thesensor10′ with respect to thetransmitter22′ using the Flock of Birds available algorithms. Such position and orientation data is then used to generate a visual signal to be displayed on thevisual display18′.
• A second exemplary sensor technology for use with the present invention may include microgyroscopes to measure angular rate; i.e., how quickly an object turns. The rotation is typically measured with reference to one of three axes: X, Y, and Z or yaw, pitch, and roll. A microgyroscope with one axis of sensitivity can also be used to measure other axes by mounting the microgyroscope differently, as shown in FIG. 20. Here, a yaw-axis microgyroscope is mounted on its side so that the yaw axis becomes the roll axis. Depending on how a microgyroscope is mounted, its primary axis of sensitivity can be one of the three axes of motion: yaw, pitch, or roll.[0091]
• Exemplary microgyroscopes for use with the present invention include ADXRS150 available from Analog Devices (http://www.analog.com). Such exemplary microgyroscopes are rotational rate measurement systems on a single monolithic integrated circuit. The exemplary microgyroscopes measure angular rate by means of Coriolis acceleration. Each of three microgyroscopes may be oriented with respect to the surgical device, tool, prosthetic component, or implant so that each of the X, Y, and Z planes is accommodated.[0092]
• One practical application is to measure how quickly a surgical instrument is turned by mounting one or more microgyroscopes thereto. In addition, the angular rate can be integrated over time to determine angular position. For example, if a microgyroscope senses that the surgical instrument is out of position, an appropriate signal may indicate such to the surgeon and discontinue operation of the instrument until the instrument is oriented in a proper manner.[0093]
• Referencing FIG. 21, an[0094]exemplary microgyroscope242 includes aframe248 containing a resonatingmass250 tethered to a substrate bysprings252 at 90° relative to the resonating motion to measure the Coriolis acceleration. A plurality ofCoriolis sense fingers254 are used to capacitively sense displacement of the frame in response to the force exerted by the mass. If thesprings252 have a stiffness, K, then the displacement resulting from the reaction force will be 2 ΩνM/K. As the rate of rotation with respect to themicrogyroscope242 increases, so does the displacement of themass250 and the signal derived from the corresponding capacitance change. It should be noted that themicrogyroscope242 may be mounted anywhere on the surgical device, tool, prosthetic component, or implant and at any angle, so long as the sensing axis of themicrogyroscope242 is parallel to the axis of rotation. Themicrogyroscopes242 measure the displacement of the resonatingmass250 and itsframe248 due to the Coriolis effect through capacitive sensing elements attached to a resonator. Displacement due to angular rate induces a differential capacitance in this system. If the total capacitance is C and the spacing of thesense fingers254 is “g”, then the differential capacitance is 2 ΩνMC/gK, and is directly proportional to the angular rate. The fidelity of this relationship is excellent in practice, with nonlinearity less than 0.1%.
• The[0095]microgyroscopes242 can sense capacitance changes as small as 12×10^−<farads (12 zeptofarads) from deflections as small as 0.00016 Angstroms (16 femtometers). This can be utilized in the surgical device, tool, prosthetic component, or implant by situating the electronics, including amplifiers and filters, on the same die as thegyroscope242. The differential signal alternates at the resonator frequency and can be extracted from the noise by correlation.
• The exemplary ADXRS microgyroscopes[0096]242 employ two resonators that operate anti-phase to differentially sense signals and reject common-mode external accelerations that are unrelated to angular motion to angular rate-sensing that makes it possible to reject shocks of up to 1,000g. As a result, themicrogyroscopes242 measure the same magnitude of rotation, but give outputs in opposite directions. Therefore, the difference between the two outputs is used to measure angular rate. This cancels non-rotational signals that affect both ends of themicrogyroscope242.
• Accelerometers may also be utilized as[0097]sensors10,10′ in the present invention to measure tilt or inclination, inertial forces, and shock or vibration. An intended application for accelerometers with respect to the present invention includes measuring tilt in at least one axis and exemplary accelerometers are available as model ADXL203BE from Analog Devices (http://www.analog.com). Such exemplary accelerometers are acceleration measurement systems on a single monolithic integrated circuit to implement an open loop acceleration measurement architecture. It is envisioned that the accelerometer be oriented with respect to the surgical device, tool, prosthetic component, or implant so the accelerometer's X and Y axis would most often approach a parallel orientation with respect to the earth's surface. In such an orientation, tilt may be measured in two axes for roll and pitch. In addition to measuring acceleration, the acceleration may be integrated over time to provide velocity data, which can likewise be integrated over time to provide position data. Those of ordinary skill are familiar with the noise considerations associated with power supplies for sensors, and in particular, accelerometers. It is within the scope of the invention to utilize a capacitor, generally around 1 μF, to decouple the accelerometer from the noise of the power supply. Other techniques may include adding a resistor in series with the power supply or adding a bulk capacitor (in the 1 μF to 4 μF range) in parallel with the first capacitor (1 μF).
• Other exemplary accelerometers include model KXG20-L20 available from Kionix, Inc. (http://www.kionix.com), model SCA610 Series available from VTI Technologies Oy (http://www.vti.fi), model SQ-XL-DAQ from (http://signalquest.com). The SQ-XL-DAQ functions as a self contained data acquisition system for 2 axis or 3 axis acceleration, tilt, and vibration measurement when used with a serial interface cable.[0098]
• It is envisioned that accelerometers may be used in combination with gyroscopes, where gyroscopes detect rotation and where the accelerometers detect acceleration, for sensing inertial movement within a three-dimensional space.[0099]
• It is also within the scope of the present invention that[0100]sensors10,10′ include inclinometers to measure roll angle and pitch angle in one or more of the exemplary embodiments discussed above. An exemplary inclinometer for use with the present invention is model SQ-S12X-360DA from Signal Quest, Inc. (http://www.Signalquest .com). Such an exemplary inclinometer provides both an analog voltage output and a digital serial output corresponding directly to a full-scale range of 360° of pitch angle and 180° of roll angle. Another exemplary inclinometer for use with the present invention is model SCA61T Series available from VTI Technologies Oy (http://www.vti.fi). The measuring direction for this exemplary inclinometer is parallel to the mounting plane.
• It is also within the scope of the invention that the[0101]sensors10,10′ include magnetometers for detecting an artificial magnetic field and/or the earth's magnetic field and discerning positional data therefrom. An exemplary magnetometer for use with the present invention is model CXM544 available from Crossbow Technology, Inc. (http://www.xbow.com). The magnetometer is capable of detecting the earth's magnetic field in three axes and computes a continuous measure of orientation using a 3-axis accelerometer as a gravitational reference field. The magnetometer compensates for temperature drift, alignment, and other errors.
• Another exemplary magnetometer for use with the present invention includes model HMC1053 available from Honeywell, Inc. (http://www.magneticsensors.com). Such an exemplary magnetometer includes a wheatstone bridge to measure magnetic fields. With power supply applied to a bridge, the sensor converts any incident magnetic field in the sensitive axis direction to a differential voltage output. In addition to the bridge circuit, the sensor has two on-chip magnetically coupled straps; the offset strap and the set/reset strap. These straps are for incident field adjustment and magnetic domain alignment, and eliminate the need for external coils positioned around the sensors. The magnetoresistive sensors are made of a nickel-iron (Permalloy) thin-film deposited on a silicon wafer and patterned as a resistive strip element. In the presence of a magnetic field, a change in the bridge resistive elements causes a corresponding change in voltage across the bridge outputs. These resistive elements are aligned together to have a common sensitive axis (indicated by arrows) that will provide positive voltage change with magnetic fields increasing in the sensitive direction. Because the output only is in proportion to the one-dimensional axis (the principle of anisotropy) and its magnitude, additional sensor bridges placed at orthogonal directions permit accurate measurement of arbitrary field direction. The combination of sensor bridges in two and three orthogonal axes permits applications such as compassing and magnetometry.[0102]
• Referring to FIG. 22, an exemplary three-axis magnetic field detector may comprise a two-axis detector combined with a single axis detector. Alternatively a single three axes detector may be used in place of the above combination.[0103]
• In accordance with the present invention, the sensors may be connected to one or more displays and digital recording devices via wire and/or wireless transmission. A first exemplary embodiment includes a sensor operatively coupled to a radio frequency (RF) modem that may include a programmed microprocessor (i.e., a smart modem). The microprocessor may organize the data into discrete packets and address such packets for reception by intended remote displays and/or digital recording devices. Each of the displays and/or digital recording devices also include a smart modem operative to automatically discern if the data is corrupted and if the data is intended for that particular remote device. If the data is corrupted, the smart modem will signal the disseminating modem to resend the data. The packetizing and addressing of the packets reduces interference and enables the same radio frequency to be utilized by each of the smart modems.[0104]
• Alternatively, the present invention may utilize dumb modems transmitting data on a predetermined frequency. One of ordinary skill is familiar with the software and hardware that may be associated with a dumb modem to provide addressing and data packetization.[0105]
• It is also within the scope of the invention that the sensors be operatively coupled to a dumb modem and radio frequency transmitter that manipulates the data output from the sensors and converts it into a radio signal. The radio signal is adapted to be received by one or more remote devices, where a modem operatively coupled thereto converts the radio signals into data indicative of data output by the sensors regarding at least one of position, acceleration, and velocity.[0106]
• An exemplary RF modem may utilize an RF spread spectrum radio transmitter or may utilize another RF communication protocol.[0107]
• Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the apparatuses described herein constitutes an exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiments and changes may be made to the aforementioned embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any one of the claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.[0108]

Claims (91)

What is claimed is:

1. A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising:

a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant;

a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and

a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (a) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (b) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.

2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of the positional sensors carried by the surgical device.

3. The system ofclaim 2, further comprising a reference sensor carried by a reference object, the reference sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware so that reference sensor data is used in converting sensor data into visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device on a visual display.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is a surgical reamer adapted for use with a total hip arthroplasty procedure.

5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the sensor data includes data regarding at least one of the position and orientation of the surgical reamer with respect to a patient's pelvic bone in several axes of movement.

6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the computer system is configured to convert the sensor into visual feedback on a visual display reflecting the position of the reamer with respect to the patient's pelvic bone.

7. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the computer system is operatively coupled to the reamer and is configured to control the reamer to reduce speed or stop upon the sensor data indicating that the reamer's position is outside of a predetermined range.

8. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the sensor includes a magnetometer, and wherein the system includes a magnetic field generator for providing a reference magnetic field for the magnetometer.

9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the magnetic field generator includes at least one magnet implanted about an acetabulum of the pelvic bone to provide a reference magnetic field for the magnetometer.

10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is one of a surgical drill and a hole-starter adapted for use with a total knee arthroplasty procedure.

11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the sensor data includes data regarding at least one of the position and orientation of the surgical drill or hole-starter with respect to the patient's femur in several axes of movement.

12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the computer system is configured to convert the sensor into visual feedback on a visual display reflecting the position of the surgical drill or hole-starter with respect to the patient's femur.

13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein surgical device is a surgical drill, the computer system is operatively coupled to the surgical drill and is configured to control the surgical drill to reduce speed or stop upon the sensor data indicating that the drill's position is outside of a predetermined range.

14. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the sensor includes a magnetometer, and wherein the system includes a magnetic field generator providing a reference magnetic field for the magnetometer.

15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the magnetic field generator includes at least one magnet implanted to the patient's femur to provide a reference magnetic field for the magnetometer.

16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is a surgical saw adapted for use with a total knee arthroplasty procedure.

17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the sensor data includes data regarding at least one of the position and orientation of the surgical saw with respect to the patient's bone in several axes of movement.

18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the computer system is configured to convert the sensor into visual feedback on a visual display reflecting the position of the surgical drill or hole-starter with respect to the patient's femur.

19. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the computer system is operatively coupled to the surgical saw and is configured to control the surgical saw to reduce speed or stop upon the sensor data indicating that the saw's position is outside of a predetermined range.

20. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the sensor includes a magnetometer, and wherein the system includes a magnetic field generator providing a reference magnetic field for the magnetometer.

21. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the magnetic field generator includes at least one magnet implanted to the patient's bone to provide a reference magnetic field for the magnetometer.

22. The system ofclaim 17, further comprising a reference sensor carried by a reference object, the reference sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware so that reference sensor data is used in converting sensor data into visual feedback of positional information for the surgical saw on a visual display

23. The system ofclaim 17 wherein the reference object is a surgical jig adapted to be mounted to a distal end of the patient's femur.

24. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a reference sensor carried by a reference object, the reference sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware so that reference sensor data is used in converting sensor data into at least one of (a) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device with respect to the reference object and (b) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device with respect to the reference object.

25. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the reference object is a stem component adapted to be inserted into a canal of a patient's elongated bone.

26. The system ofclaim 25, wherein the stem component is a trial stem.

27. The system ofclaim 24, wherein:

the surgical device is one of a tibial tray prosthetic device and a femoral prosthetic device of a prosthetic knee; and

the reference object is the other one of the tibial tray prosthetic device and the femoral prosthetic device.

28. The system ofclaim 24, wherein:

the surgical device is one of a screw cap dome screw and an acetabular cup of a prosthetic hip; and

the reference object is the other one of the screw cap dome screw and the acetabular cup of the prosthetic hip.

29. The system ofclaim 24, wherein:

the surgical device is surgical saw; and

the reference object a jig mounted to a patient's bone.

30. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the reference object is one of a trial stem and a stem implant positioned within a canal of a patient's elongated bone.

31. The system ofclaim 30, wherein the surgical device is one of a surgical saw, a surgical drill, a hole-starter and a prosthetic implant.

32. The system ofclaim 29, wherein:

the reference object is one of a prosthetic implant and a prosthetic trial component; and

the surgical device is surgical instrument adapted perform at least one of the tasks consisting of inserting the reference object, extracting the reference object, positioning the reference object and impacting the reference object.

33. The system ofclaim 32, reference object is a prosthetic femoral stem component and the surgical instrument is a stem inserter.

34. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor includes a microgyroscope.

35. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer.

36. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor includes an inclinometer.

37. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is a surgical cup inserter.

38. The system ofclaim 37, further comprising one or more reference sensors mounted approximate a patient's acetabulum, the reference sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware so that reference sensor data is used in converting sensor data into at least one of (a) audio feedback of positional information for the cup inserter with respect to the patient's acetabulum and (b) visual feedback of positional information for the cup inserter with respect to the patient's acetabulum.

39. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is a prosthetic trial component.

40. The system ofclaim 39, further comprising a prosthetic implant component associated with the prosthetic trial component, wherein:

the computer system is configured to record positional information of the sensor when positioned within a patient's bone; and

the computer system is further configured to utilize the recorded positional information of the sensor to guide the prosthetic implant, having an associated sensor, within the patient's bone.

41. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is a tibial tray prosthetic device.

42. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is an acetabular cup of a prosthetic hip.

43. The system ofclaim 42, comprising a plurality of the sensors mounted about a rim of the acetabular cup.

44. The system ofclaim 43, further comprising one or more reference sensors mounted approximate a patient's acetabulum, the reference sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware so that reference sensor data is used in converting sensor data into at least one of (a) audio feedback of positional information for the acetabular cup with respect to the patient's acetabulum and (b) visual feedback of positional information for the acetabular cup with respect to the patient's acetabulum.

45. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical device is a femoral broach component.

46. The system ofclaim 45, further comprising one or more reference sensors mounted approximate a patient's femoral canal, the reference sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware so that reference sensor data is used in converting sensor data into at least one of (a) audio feedback of positional information for the femoral broach component with respect to the patient's femoral canal and (b) visual feedback of positional information for the femoral broach component with respect to the patient's femoral canal.

47. A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising:

a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool, a prosthetic component, and a surgical implant;

a sensor carried by the surgical device, the sensor operatively coupled to a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data including at least one of positional data and orientational data outputted from the sensor; and

a computer system including a visual display, a wireless receiver, and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting the sensor data received by the wireless receiver into visual feedback information for viewing on the visual display.

48. The system ofclaim 47, further comprising a plurality of sensors carried by the surgical device.

49. The system ofclaim 48, further comprising a reference sensor carried by a reference object, the reference sensor adapted to be operatively coupled to the signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting the reference sensor data into visual reference feedback information concurrently displayable with the visual feedback information on the visual display.

50. The system ofclaim 47, wherein the sensor includes at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, an inclinometer, and a piezoelectric sensor.

51. The system ofclaim 47, wherein the surgical tool includes at least one of a surgical saw, a surgical drill, an intramedullary hole starter, a surgical hammer, a surgical reamer, and a surgical screwdriver.

52. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a sensor mounted to a surgical device, the sensor taken from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer;

a digital processing device operatively coupled to the sensor to receive data derived from data output from the sensor, the digital processing device generating a display output; and

a display operatively coupled to the digital processing device and adapted to receive the display output, where the display output displays the change in at least one of position and orientation of the sensor with respect to a point of reference.

53. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 52, wherein the surgical device includes at least one of a cup inserter, a cup alignment instrument, a femoral component broach, a guide-rod of an intramedullary femoral and tibial cutting jig, an extramedullary femoral and tibial cutting jig, a screw cap dome, a prosthetic knee tibial tray, a prosthetic knee trial stem, a prosthetic knee trial tibial tray, a prosthetic knee femoral component, a prosthetic knee trial femoral component, a prosthetic hip femoral component, and a prosthetic hip trial femoral component.

54. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 53, wherein the sensor is mounted within the surgical device.

55. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 53, wherein:

the sensor is operatively coupled to a remote transmitter adapted to transmit signals indicative of sensor output as at least one of orientation and position of the sensor changes; and

the digital processing device is operatively coupled to a receiver adapted to receive transmission signals from the remote transmitter;

wherein the digital processing device generates display instructions for displaying at least one of the orientation and position of the sensor.

56. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 55, wherein the processing device is programmed to output display instructions including the relative dimensions of the surgical device, where the output display correlates the position of the sensor with respect to at least one of the orientation and position of the surgical device.

57. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 55, wherein the display is adapted to display the relative dimensions of the surgical device, where the display correlates the position of the sensor with respect to at least one of the orientation and position of the surgical device.

58. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 52, wherein the system is adapted for use with total knee arthroplasty.

59. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 52, wherein the system is adapted for use with total hip arthroplasty.

60. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 52, wherein the surgical device includes at least one of a surgical saw, a surgical drill, a surgical hammer, a surgical reamer, and a surgical screwdriver.

61. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 60, wherein the sensor is mounted within the surgical device.

62. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 61, wherein the surgical device includes a plurality of sensors mounted thereto.

63. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 62, wherein the surgical device includes a plurality of sensors mounted thereto, where the plurality of sensors are taken from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer.

64. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a computer system having signal conditioning hardware and software;

a surgical instrument having an instrument positional sensor carried thereon, the instrument positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit instrument positional data thereto; and

a prosthetic component having a prosthetic component positional sensor carried thereon, the prosthetic component positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit prosthetic component positional data thereto.

65. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 64, wherein the computer system is configured to process the instrument positional data and the prosthetic component positional data to generate relative position data indicative of the relative position of the surgical instrument with respect to the prosthetic component.

66. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 65, wherein the computer system is further configured to generate at least one of audio and visual feedback of the relative position data.

67. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 66, wherein:

the surgical instrument is taken from a group consisting of an insertion device, an extraction device, an impacting device, a positioning device, a surgical reamer, a surgical saw, a cutting jig, a surgical drill, a hole-starter, a surgical screw, a surgical bolt, a surgical screw-driver, a surgical bolt-driver and a material applicator; and

the prosthetic component is taken from a group consisting of a femoral stem; a femoral stem trial; an acetabular cup; an acetabular cup trial; a rod for insertion within a patient's bone cavity; and a prosthetic knee component.

68. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 64, wherein:

the surgical instrument is taken from a group consisting of an insertion device, an extraction device, an impacting device, a positioning device, a surgical reamer, a surgical saw, a cutting jig, a surgical drill, a hole-starter, a surgical screw, a surgical bolt, a surgical screw-driver, a surgical bolt-driver and a material applicator; and

the prosthetic component is taken from a group consisting of a femoral stem; a femoral stem trial; an acetabular cup; an acetabular cup trial; a rod for insertion within a patient's bone cavity; and a prosthetic knee component.

69. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a computer system having signal conditioning hardware and software;

a first surgical instrument having a first instrument positional sensor carried thereon, the first instrument positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit first instrument positional data thereto; and

a second surgical instrument having a second instrument positional sensor carried thereon, the second instrument positional sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit second instrument positional data thereto.

70. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 69, wherein the computer system is configured to process the first instrument positional data and the second instrument positional data to generate relative position data indicative of the relative position of the first surgical instrument with respect to the second surgical instrument.

71. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 70, wherein the computer system is further configured to generate at least one of audio and visual feedback of the relative position data.

72. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 71, wherein:

the first surgical instrument is taken from a group consisting of an insertion device, an extraction device, an impacting device, a positioning device, a surgical reamer, a surgical saw, a cutting jig, a surgical drill, a hole-starter, a surgical screw, a surgical bolt, a surgical screw-driver, a surgical bolt-driver and a material applicator; and

the second surgical instrument is taken from a group consisting of a reference component; an insertion device, an extraction device, an impacting device, a positioning device, a surgical reamer, a surgical saw, a cutting jig, a surgical drill, a hole-starter, a surgical screw, a surgical bolt, a surgical screw-driver, a surgical bolt-driver and a material applicator.

73. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 69, wherein:

the first surgical instrument is taken from a group consisting of an insertion device, an extraction device, an impacting device, a positioning device, a surgical reamer, a surgical saw, a cutting jig, a surgical drill, a hole-starter, a surgical screw, a surgical bolt, a surgical screw-driver, a surgical bolt-driver and a material applicator; and

the second surgical instrument is taken from a group consisting of a reference component; an insertion device, an extraction device, an impacting device, a positioning device, a surgical reamer, a surgical saw, a cutting jig, a surgical drill, a hole-starter, a surgical screw, a surgical bolt, a surgical screw-driver, a surgical bolt-driver and a material applicator.

74. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a computer system having signal conditioning hardware and software;

a field generating device generating a detectable field approximate a reference object; and

at least one of a surgical instrument and a prosthetic component having a sensor carried thereon for sensing the detectable field, the sensor being operatively coupled to the signal conditioning hardware and software of the computer system to transmit positional data thereto relative to the detectable field.

75. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 74, wherein the sensor is a magnetometer and the field generator is at least one magnet.

76. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 75, wherein the field generator is a plurality of magnets adapted to be positioned about a circumference of a patient's acetabulum.

77. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 74, wherein the field generator is adapted to be mounted within a patient's anatomy.

78. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 74, wherein the field generator is mounted to an implantable component.

79. The surgical telemetry system ofclaim 74, wherein the computer system is further configured to generate at least one of audio and visual feedback of the positional data.

80. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a sensor mounted to a prosthetic trial, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and

a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor.

81. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a sensor mounted to a prosthetic component, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and

a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor.

82. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a sensor mounted to a surgical jig, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and

a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor.

83. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a sensor mounted to a surgical device, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, and an inclinometer; and

a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor to disseminate broadcast data derived from output data attributable to the sensor;

wherein the surgical device is utilized in at least one of a total knee arthroplasty procedure and a total hip arthroplasty procedure.

84. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a sensor mounted to a surgical implant, the sensor including at least one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer;

a digital processing device operatively coupled to the sensor to receive data derived from data output from the sensor, the digital processing device generating a display output; and

a display operatively coupled to the digital processing device and adapted to receive the display output, where the display output displays the change in at least one of position and orientation of the sensor with respect to a point of reference.

85. A surgical telemetry system comprising:

a surgical instrument having an instrument positional sensor associated therewith, the instrument positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the instrument positional sensor indicative of the position of the surgical instrument;

an implantable prosthetic device having a prosthetic device positional sensor associated therewith, the prosthetic device positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the prosthetic device positional sensor indicative of the position of the implantable prosthetic device;

a surgical jig having a jig positional sensor associated therewith, the jig positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the jig positional sensor indicative of the position of the surgical jig;

an anatomical positional sensor adapted to be mounted to an anatomical feature of a patient, the anatomical positional sensor coupled to a wireless transmitter to transmit output data from the anatomical positional sensor indicative of the position of the anatomical feature; and

a data processing device comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive the transmitted output data,

processing circuitry to transform the transmitted output data,

a digital device operatively coupled to the processing circuitry including software operative to convert transformed sensor output data into relative position data adapted to be viewable to reflect at least one of position and orientation of at least one of the surgical instrument, the implantable prosthetic device, the surgical jig, and the anatomical positional sensor, and

a visual display for viewing the relative position data.

86. A method of supplementing a surgical procedure using a surgical telemetry system comprising:

using a surgical device including a sensor mounted thereto, the sensor taken from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, or an inclinometer, and the surgical device taken from the group consisting of a surgical instrument, a prosthesis or a surgical jig;

operatively coupling the sensor of the surgical device to at least one of a wired receiver and a wireless receiver to receive output data generated by the sensor indicative of at least one of position data and orientation data; and

generating feedback data derived from the output data of the sensor.

87. A method of manufacturing a medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

associating at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer with a medical device; and

associating a wireless transmitter with at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer, where the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit wireless data derived from output data from at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer.

88. A method of manufacturing a prosthetic device, the method comprising the steps of:

associating at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer with a prosthetic device; and

associating a wireless transmitter with at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer, where the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit wireless data derived from output data from at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer.

89. A method of generating telemetry data regarding the position of an object during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a transmission from a transmitter operatively coupled to at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer associated with at least one of a medical device and a prosthetic device adapted for use with a surgical procedure;

processing the transmission from the transmitter into a format amendable to visual display; and

displaying the format onto the visual display such that changes in position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device are reflected in substantially real-time and correspond substantially to an actual position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device.

90. A method of manufacturing a surgical device, the method comprising the steps of:

associating at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer with a surgical device; and

associating a wireless transmitter with at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer, where the wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit wireless data derived from output data from at least one of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, the magnetometer, and the inclinometer.

91. A method of generating telemetry data regarding the position of an object during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a transmission from a transmitter operatively coupled to at least one of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and an inclinometer associated with at least one of a surgical device, an implant, and a prosthetic component adapted for use with a surgical procedure;

processing the transmission from the transmitter into a format amendable to visual display; and

displaying the format onto a visual display such that changes in position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device are reflected in substantially real-time and correspond substantially to an actual position of at least one of the medical device and the prosthetic device.

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