Surgical alignment using references

摘要

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable storage media, for surgical alignment using references. In one general aspect, a method includes coupling a guide to a joint, the guide defining an axis and having an outer contour formed to substantially conform to a portion of the joint. The first reference is attached at a fixed position relative to the joint. A positioning system is used to determine a position of the axis relative to the first reference, where the position of the axis is determined based upon the position of the guide while the guide is coupled to the joint. The guide is removed from the joint, and after the guide is removed from the joint, an instrument is positioned relative to the axis based on a position of a second reference relative to the first reference.

主权项

1. A method for determining alignment of an instrument relative to a joint, comprising:
coupling a guide to the joint, the guide defining an axis and having an outer contour formed to substantially conform to a portion of the joint such that the guide couples to the joint in a single orientation and the guide defines an axis in a previously determined position relative to the joint; attaching a first reference at a fixed position relative to the joint; using a positioning system to determine a position of the axis relative to the first reference, the position of the axis being determined based upon the position of the guide while the guide is coupled to the joint; removing the guide from the joint; and after removing the guide from the joint, positioning an instrument relative to the axis based on a position of a second reference relative to the first reference.