Method and apparatus for performing a computer-assisted orthopaedic procedure

Abstract

A method of performing a computer-assisted orthopaedic procedure includes securing a sensor support instrument to the patient's bone. A number of sensors are secured to the support instrument. A computer-assisted orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed.

1 . A method of performing computer-assisted hip surgery, the method comprising the steps of: 
 securing a sensor support instrument to the posterior surface of a patient's proximal femur, and    securing a sensor to the sensor support instrument.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing the sensor support instrument to the posterior surface comprises securing the sensor support instrument to a region of the posterior surface of the proximal femur consisting of the lesser trochanter, the greater trochanter, the intertrochanteric crest and any portions of the patient's femur therebetween.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing the sensor support instrument to the posterior surface comprises securing the sensor support instrument to a region of the posterior surface of the proximal femur defined by a line drawn from the lateral-most portion of the posterior surface of the proximal femur, to the superior-most portion of the greater trochanter, along the intertrochanteric crest to the lesser trochanter, around to the medial-most portion of the lesser trochanter to the distal-most portion of the lesser trochanter, and along a proximal edge of the shaft of the femur to the lateral-most portion of the posterior surface of the femur.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing the sensor support instrument to the posterior surface of the patient's proximal femur comprises screwing a screw into the posterior surface of the patient's proximal femur.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of securing the sensor to the sensor support instrument comprises (i) coupling a sensor support to the screw, and (ii) coupling the sensor to the sensor support.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of securing the sensor to the sensor support instrument comprises (i) coupling a sensor support having three support arms to the screw, and (ii) coupling a sensor to each of the three support arms.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of securing a support sleeve to the patient's proximal femur such that a portion of the screw is positioned in the support sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of securing the sensor to the sensor support instrument comprises securing the sensor to the support sleeve.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein securing the sensor to the support sleeve comprises (i) coupling a sensor support to the support sleeve, and (ii) coupling the sensor to the sensor support.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of securing the sensor support instrument to the posterior surface of the patient's proximal femur comprises screwing a screw into the posterior surface of the patient's proximal femur such that a tip of the screw is positioned in the medullary canal of the patient's proximal femur.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein screwing a screw into the posterior surface of the patient's proximal femur comprises screwing a cannulated screw into the posterior surface of the patient's proximal femur.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of coupling the cannulated screw to a negative pressure source thereby placing the medullary canal of the patient's femur in fluid communication with the negative pressure source.  
   
   
       13 . A method of performing computer-assisted hip surgery, the method comprising the steps of: 
 locating one or more of the greater trochanter, the lesser trochanter, and the intertrochanteric crest of a patient's femur,    measuring a pre-determined distance from one or more of the greater trochanter, the lesser trochanter, and the intertrochanteric crest to a second location,    securing a sensor support instrument to the second location, and    securing a sensor to the sensor support instrument.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of securing the sensor support instrument to the second location comprises screwing a screw into the second location of the patient's femur.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of securing the sensor to the sensor support instrument comprises (i) coupling a sensor support to the screw, and (ii) coupling the sensor to the sensor support.