METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPUTERIZED SURGERY
An implant for use in spinal surgery comprises a resilient element having an inflatable cavity. It is formed of a biologically compatible material and is arranged for placement between end plates of adjacent vertebra. The implant may also include a wound disc replacement element. A method of performing spinal surgery on a patient comprises securely mounting a patient onto a patient support table; imaging a spinal region of the patient; building up a three-dimensional image file of the spinal region of the patient; storing the image file; and utilizing the image file for planning and carrying out computer controlled spinal surgery on the patient utilizing the implant. A computer-controlled surgical implant system comprises a steerable endosurgical implanting assembly operative to install the implant at a desired location in a patient; and a computerized controlled, which operates the steerable endosurgical implanting assembly.
1 . A tool for use in association with a hand and comprising: a quick connection mounting assembly for connection to a hand; and a pair of elements, having respective inwardly facing surfaces which are configured to correspond to the cross-sectional configuration of a main portion of a coil.
2 . A tool for use in association with a hand and comprising: a quick connection mounting assembly for connection to a hand; a pair of elements having respective inwardly facing surfaces which are configured to define a coil coating passage having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the main portion of a coil; a liquid coating supply conduit, which communicates with outlet orifices, formed on at least one coil surface for supplying a liquid coating material to a coil as the coil passes therethrough.
3 . A tool for use in association with a hand according to claim 2 wherein said liquid coating material is an in situ polymerizable polymer which, when polymerized, becomes an elastomeric bond substance.
4 . A tool for use in association with a hand according to claim 3 wherein said liquid coating material is a flowable polyurethane.
5 . A tool for use in association with a hand and comprising: a quick connection mounting assembly for connection to a hand; a base onto which is fixedly mounted a first forceps finger pair and a guiding finger; and a second forceps finger pair, mounted for selectable positioning with respect to said first forceps finger pair.
6 . A tool for use in association with a hand and comprising: a quick connection mounting assembly for connection to a hand; and a laser couplable to an energy outlet by means of an optical fiber assembly.
7 . A tool for use in association with a hand and comprising: a rigid element defining an inner facing channel on a concave surface thereof which matches a cross-sectional configuration of a coiled lead of an inflatable implant, for placement of the implant in a recess, without disturbing the arrangement of the coils of said coiled lead.
8 . A coil winding assistance tool for use with a hand and comprising: a base; an arm attached at an end thereof to said base; an outwardly extending finger and a transversely extending thumb disposed at an end of said arm, opposite to the end of said arm which is attached to said base, said finger and said thumb being configured to cooperate with a socket on a coil for assisting in the winding thereof.
9 . An inflator tool for use with a hand and comprising: an output nozzle; and a flexible fluid supply tube for receiving a pressurized fluid input from a pressurized fluid source and providing a desired supply of fluid to said output nozzle.
10 . An inflator tool according to claim 9 being formed with a grooved portion which is configured so as to enable it to be readily grasped by a forceps tool.
11 . A multifunctional coil orienting and coating & pick and place tool comprising: a base; a body portion extending from said base; and an arm extending outwardly from said body portion in a curved manner and having a rounded tip.
12 . A multifunctional coil orienting and coating & pick and place tool according to claim 11 also comprising: a spur element, disposed on a back surface of said arm and being configured to cooperate with a socket on a coil for assisting in the winding thereof.
13 . A multifunctional coil orienting and coating & pick and place tool according to claim 12 also comprising a coil coating passage for supplying a liquid coating material to the coil as the coil passes therethrough.
14 . A coil bonding adhesive curing tool comprising: a base, which is arranged to be coupled to a tool engagement element of a hand; an arm, extending outwardly from said base in a curved manner; and an ultraviolet light output device, mounted on an outward end of said arm.
15 . A multifunctional disc replacement band orienting tool comprising a base portion having integrally formed therewith a flexible batten having edge protrusions which correspond in cross-section to cross-sections of channels formed in facing end plates.
16 . A forceps tool comprising a base onto which are fixedly mounted first and second forceps fingers, said second forceps finger being mounted for selectable positioning with respect to said first forceps finger, said tool being characterized in that respective mutually facing surfaces of said first and second forceps fingers are formed with a protrusion and a cooperating and correspondingly positioned and configured engagement surface.
17 . A disc replacement band engagement tool comprising a base, and an arm extending outwardly from said base and terminating in a rounded tip, there being formed, along opposite side surfaces of said arm, pairs of protrusions which are adapted for operative engagement with retaining sockets.
18 . A disc replacement band engagement tool comprising a base, and a bent arm extending outwardly from said base and terminating in a cylindrical pin, said pin being adapted for engagement with at least one aperture formed on said band.
19 . A tool operable for supplying a flowable polymer to a disc replacement band and comprising a base and at least first and second nozzles, said first nozzle being coupled to a conduit which receives a pressurized supply of flowable polymer, said first nozzle thus supplying said polymer via outlets to an interior of said band, and said second nozzle being connected at another location at the interior of said band and applying negative pressure thereto.
20 . A tool operable for inserting an inflatable implant retained in a folded orientation, said tool comprising a base portion including a mounting aperture which is arranged to be engaged by the tool and having integrally formed therewith a generally cylindrical retaining portion.