Surgical orientation device and method

摘要

A device for detecting and measuring a change in angular position with respect to a reference plane is useful in surgical procedures for orienting various instruments, prosthesis, and implants with respect to anatomical landmarks. One embodiment of the device uses three orthogonal rate sensors, along with integrators and averagers, to determine angular position changes using rate of change information. A display provides position changes from a reference position. Various alignment guides are useful with surgical instruments to obtain a reference plane.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument for assisting a surgeon in obtaining correct orientation of an acetabular prosthetic socket in a patient's acetabulum, the instrument comprising:
a support device adapted for supporting an acetabular alignment guide; and an electronic orientation device having a coupler for releasably coupling the electronic orientation device to the support device, wherein the electronic orientation device comprises at least one inertial sensor; the acetabular alignment guide comprising a base portion and an elongate member configured to pivot and translate relative to the base portion between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the elongate member has a length sufficient to enable a tip thereof to contact anatomy disposed about the acetabulum at a plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations to align the electronic orientation device with a plane of the acetabulum; wherein the electronic orientation device is adapted to establish the plane of the acetabulum based upon the position of the at least one inertial sensor when the tip contacts the plurality of spaced apart locations.