Hip replacement navigation system and method

Abstract

A hip joint navigation system is provided that includes a base having at least one channel disposed therethrough for receiving a pin for mounting the base to the pelvis. A mount feature is disposed on a top surface. A registration jig is configured to couple with the base and to engage anatomical landmarks. In some aspects, a patient specific jig system for hip replacement is provided including an engagement surface formed to closely mate to acetabular bone contours of a specific patient and a registration feature configured to be in a pre-determined orientation relative to an acetabulum the patient when the jig is coupled with acetabular bone contours of the specific patient. In other aspects, methods of using the systems are provided.

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A method of performing a hip joint replacement procedure, the hip joint comprises a pelvis and a femur that is movable relative to the pelvis, the method comprising:
 registering the femur prior to positioning an acetabular shell in the hip joint comprising:
 registering a rotational position of the femur about a mechanical axis of the femur; 
 positioning a tip of the probe in contact with a point on the femur or a fixation structure coupled to the femur; 
   positioning an acetabular shell in the hip joint; and   determining an aspect of the relative position and/or orientation of the femur after positioning the acetabular shell in the hip joint comprising:
 moving the femur to the rotational position of the femur after positioning the acetabular shell; and 
 positioning the tip of the probe in contact with the point on the femur or the fixation structure coupled to the femur. 
   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising coupling the fixation structure to the femur, wherein the point comprises a divot. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein registering the rotational position of the femur comprises projecting light onto a target. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein registering the rotational position of the femur comprises marking a target along a pattern of light. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein moving the femur to the rotational position of the femur comprises aligning the marking with the pattern of light. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein moving the femur to the rotational position of the femur comprises projecting light onto a target. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising positioning the patient in a supine position. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising mounting a laser projecting device to the pelvis, wherein registering the rotational position of the femur and moving the femur to the rotational position of the femur utilize the laser projecting device. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising displaying a change in leg length. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising displaying a change in joint offset. 
     
     
         75 . A method of performing a hip joint replacement procedure, the hip joint comprises a pelvis and a femur that is movable relative to the pelvis, the method comprising:
 registering an orientation of a probe when a tip of the probe contacts a point on the femur or a fixation structure coupled to the femur;   registering rotation of the femur about a mechanical axis of the femur;   positioning an acetabular shell in the hip joint;   moving the femur to the registered rotation of the femur about the mechanical axis of the femur; and   positioning the tip of the probe in contact with the point on the femur or the fixation structure to determine an aspect of the relative position and/or orientation of the femur after positioning the acetabular shell.   
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein registering rotation of the femur about the mechanical axis of the femur comprises projecting light onto a target and marking the incidence of light. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein moving the femur to the registered rotation of the femur comprises projecting light onto the target and aligning the marking with the incidence of light. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising displaying a change in leg length and/or joint offset. 
     
     
         79 . A method of performing a hip joint replacement procedure, the hip joint comprises a pelvis and a femur that is movable relative to the pelvis, the method comprising:
 registering an orientation of a probe when a tip of the probe contacts a point on the femur or a fixation structure coupled to the femur, wherein the femur comprises an initial rotation about a mechanical axis of the femur;   positioning an acetabular shell in the hip joint;   replicating the initial rotation of the femur about the mechanical axis of the femur; and   positioning the tip of the probe in contact with the point on the femur or the fixation structure to determine an aspect of the relative position and/or orientation of the femur after positioning the acetabular shell.   
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein replicating the initial rotation of the femur about the mechanical axis of the femur comprises projecting a pattern of light onto a target. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein replicating the initial rotation of the femur about the mechanical axis of the femur comprises aligning a marking on a target with light projecting from a light projecting device. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein a change in leg length and/or joint offset is determined based on positioning the tip of the probe in contact with the point on the femur or the fixation structure. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein at least one of a change in leg length and a change in joint offset is displayed. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising coupling the fixation structure to the femur, wherein the point comprises a divot.