Patent ID: 8551108
Filing Date: 2013-10-08
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A tool and computer-assisted surgery system, in combination, for digitizing a mechanical axis of a tibia comprising: the tool having an upper mounting end and a lower mounting end interconnected by an alignment rod extending therebetween, the upper mounting end being releasably fastenable to an upper reference point on a tibial plateau and the lower mounting end having a self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism thereon, the self-centering malleoli engaging mechanism including opposed caliper arms each having a malleolus clamp, the caliper arms being displaceable in a common plane relative to each other for clamping engagement with the medial and lateral malleoli, such that a midpoint between the caliper arms corresponds to a lower reference point defined midway between the medial and lateral malleoli; and at least one trackable member mounted to the alignment rod of the tool, the trackable member being in communication with the computer-assisted surgery system and providing at least orientation informationt the computer-assisted surgery system; wherein the alignment rod is aligned parallel with the mechanical axis of the tibia which extends between the upper reference point and the lower reference point when the tool is mounted on the tibia.