Ultra-Wideband Positioning for Wireless Ultrasound Tracking and Communication

Abstract

A method of designing an orthopedic implant comprising: (a) iteratively evaluating possible shapes of a dynamic orthopedic implant using actual anatomical shape considerations and kinematic shape considerations; and, (b) selecting a dynamic orthopedic implant shape from one of the possible shapes, where the dynamic orthopedic implant shape selected satisfies predetermined kinematic and anatomical constraints.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A patient-specific orthopedic implant comprising a bearing surface optimized for an anatomical shape of the patient, the bearing surface having been virtually generated and evaluated kinematically prior to fabrication. 
     
     
         29 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 28 , wherein the orthopedic implant comprises at least one of a tibial implant and a femoral implant. 
     
     
         30 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 28 , wherein the anatomical shape of the patient was gathered using dynamic imaging data generated responsive to movement of the patient. 
     
     
         31 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 30 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is fluoroscopic data. 
     
     
         32 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 31 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is subjected to an image correction process to reduce distortion. 
     
     
         33 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 31 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is subjected to a feature extraction process to establish an edge of a bone. 
     
     
         34 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 31 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is subjected to an initialization process to estimate a pose of a bone. 
     
     
         35 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 31 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is subjected to a sequential shape and pose estimation process to generate a three dimensional virtual model of a bone. 
     
     
         36 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 35 , wherein the sequential shape and pose estimation process utilizes inputs from a statistical shape model creation process. 
     
     
         37 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 35 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is segmented and classified as part of the shape and pose estimation process. 
     
     
         38 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 31 , wherein the dynamic imaging data is utilized to generate multiple bone models that change position with respect to one another across a range of motion. 
     
     
         39 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 30 , further comprising constructing virtual anatomical models using the dynamic imaging data. 
     
     
         40 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 39 , wherein the virtual anatomical models comprise an anatomical joint comprising at least two bones. 
     
     
         41 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 40 , wherein the anatomical joint includes at least one of a shoulder joint, a knee joint, a hip joint, and an ankle joint. 
     
     
         42 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 39 , wherein the anatomical models include soft tissue. 
     
     
         43 . The patient-specific orthopedic implant of  claim 42 , wherein the soft tissue includes a ligament. 
     
     
         44 . A surgical navigation system comprising:
 a first ultrawide band and inertial measurement unit;   a second ultrawide band and inertial measurement unit;   a processor communicatively coupled to the first and second ultrawide band and inertial measurement units; and,   a graphical display communicatively coupled to the processor, the graphical display configured to display augmented reality images that are capable of changing in at least one of position and orientation as the graphical display is repositioned with respect to at least one of the first and second ultrawide band and inertial measurement units.   
     
     
         45 . The surgical navigation system of  claim 44 , wherein the second ultrawide band and inertial measurement unit, the processor, and the graphical display are integrated as part of a user wearable helmet. 
     
     
         46 . The surgical navigation system of  claim 45 , wherein the helmet includes a visor upon which the graphical display projects the augmented reality images. 
     
     
         47 .- 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method of planning a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
 generating instructions allowing for generation of a dynamic orthopedic implant, where the dynamic orthopedic implant is generated as a result of iteratively evaluating possible surface bearing shapes using actual anatomical shape considerations and kinematic shape considerations;   generating instructions for generation of at least one of a tangible guide and a virtual guide, where the instructions are patient-specific; and,   generating navigation instructions to be facilitate implantation of the dynamic orthopedic implant, where the navigation instruction include concurrently tracking at least a portion of a patient and a surgical tool using a combination ultrawide band and inertial measurement unit.