Surgical orientation system and method

Abstract

A system and method for detecting and measuring changes 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 dual orientation devices of a type capable of measuring angular position changes from a reference position. One such device provides information as to changes in position of an anatomical landmark relative to a reference position. The second device provides information as to changes in position of a surgical instrument and/or prosthesis relative to the reference position.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for assisting a surgeon comprising:
 coupling an electronic orientation device to a support device having an alignment guide, wherein the electronic orientation device comprises at least one inertial sensor;   pivoting and/or translating an elongate member relative to a base portion of the alignment guide between an extended position and a retracted position to contact anatomy at a plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations; and   establishing a reference frame of the anatomy based upon the position of the at least one inertial sensor when the elongate member contacts the plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising aligning the electronic orientation device with the reference frame. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the reference frame includes a line or plane. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations includes locations disposed about the pelvis. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the reference frame includes a plane of the pelvis. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a rate signal indicative of a change in angular position of the electronic orientation device about an axis. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a rate signal from a first rate sensor, a second rate sensor, and a third rate sensor, each disposed about orthogonal axes. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising indicating the change in angular position with a digital display of the electronic orientation device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising indicating a numeric representation of degrees of alignment with a digital display of the electronic orientation device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising gathering data with another device in wireless communication with the electronic orientation device. 
     
     
         31 . A method for assisting a surgeon comprising:
 coupling an electronic orientation device to a support device, wherein the electronic orientation device comprises at least one inertial sensor, the support device having an alignment guide coupled therewith;   moving an elongate member relative to a base portion of the alignment guide between an extended position and a retracted position to contact anatomy at a plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations; and   determining the orientation of a portion of a bone or joint based upon the position of the at least one inertial sensor when the elongate member contacts the plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations includes locations disposed about the pelvis. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising indicating the change in angular position with a digital display of the electronic orientation device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising indicating a numeric representation of degrees of alignment with a digital display of the electronic orientation device. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising gathering data with another device in wireless communication with the electronic orientation device. 
     
     
         36 . A method for assisting a surgeon comprising:
 placing adjacent to a joint of a patient an assembly comprising an electronic orientation device coupled with a support device, the support device being coupled with an alignment guide, wherein the electronic orientation device comprises at least one inertial sensor;   moving an elongate member relative to a base portion of the alignment guide between an extended position and a retracted position to contact anatomy at a plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations; and   monitoring movement of a patient's body during a surgical procedure in connection with the output of the electronic orientation device.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the surgical procedure is a hip replacement. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the surgical procedure is a knee replacement. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein monitoring comprises receiving signals from a second orientation device configured to provide a reference frame indicative of the position of a bone of the patient. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the second orientation device comprises an inertial sensor. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising coupling the second orientation device with a bone of the patient with no degrees of freedom to the bone and with the electronic orientation device with at least two degrees of freedom.