Precision bone alignment
First Claim
1. Apparatus for precision bone alignment comprising a plurality of orthopaedic markers having means adapted for direct and fixed securement respectively to a plurality of bone portions to be aligned, each of said markers including a radiation emitting device thereon, radiation reception sensor means for detecting radiation emitted from said radiation emitting devices, means interconnected with said radiation emitting devices for sequentially causing said radiation emitting devices to emit radiation for a limited time, said devices otherwise not emitting radiation, said radiation reception sensor means outputing signals corresponding to positions of said radiation emitting devices, computer means connected to said sensor means for receiving said signals, and a monitor connected to said computer means for providing a visual display corresponding to the positions of said radiation emitting devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for precision bone alignment includes a plurality of markers secured to bone portions prior to an orthopaedic/surgical procedure. Light emitting LED'"'"'s are provided on said markers and are sensed by an optical three-dimensional sensor which provides respective positional electric signals to a computer, the computer in turn being connected to a monitor to provide a three-dimensional display. The signals prior to the orthopaedic/surgical procedure are stored in the computer. The sensor also provides signals following the orthopaedic/surgical procedure for comparison with the signals before the procedure to insure proper alignment.
393 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for precision bone alignment comprising a plurality of orthopaedic markers having means adapted for direct and fixed securement respectively to a plurality of bone portions to be aligned, each of said markers including a radiation emitting device thereon, radiation reception sensor means for detecting radiation emitted from said radiation emitting devices, means interconnected with said radiation emitting devices for sequentially causing said radiation emitting devices to emit radiation for a limited time, said devices otherwise not emitting radiation, said radiation reception sensor means outputing signals corresponding to positions of said radiation emitting devices, computer means connected to said sensor means for receiving said signals, and a monitor connected to said computer means for providing a visual display corresponding to the positions of said radiation emitting devices.
- 13. A method for precision bone alignment which comprises securing markers directly and fixedly to bone portions to be aligned, optically sensing a position of each of said markers, providing electrical signals corresponding to the positions sensed, electrically connecting said electrical signals to a monitor to provide a visual display corresponding to the positions of said markers, and manipulating said bone portions while observing said display to attain optical indication of alignment of said bone portions on said monitor.
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17. A method for precision bone alignment which comprises securing markers to bone portions to be aligned, optically sensing the position of each of said markers, providing electrical signals corresponding to the positions sensed, electrically connecting said electrical signals to a monitor to provide a visual display corresponding to the positions of said markers, retaining signals of the marker positions before an orthopaedic/surgical procedure, detecting the positions of said markers after said orthopaedic/surgical procedure, and comparing the positions of said markers before and after said orthopaedic/surgical procedure.
Specification