IP Library Granted Patent US 12,648,777
Granted Patent B2
US 12,648,777 · App. 18/496,083 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Knee jig positioning apparatus

Inventors: Franz W. Kellar (Gastonia, NC); Harold L. Crowder (Concord, NC); Franz Austen Kellar (Gastonia, NC)
Assignee: DYNAMIC BALANCER SYSTEMS LLC
A61B17/157A61B17/1764A61B34/20A61B2034/2046
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,648,777
App. No.
18/496,083
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint includes: a mounting bracket; a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket; a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; a mounting element coupled to the mounting bracket; an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket.

Claims (62)

1 . An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket;

a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket, wherein the position feedback means comprises a second tracking marker disposed in the adjustment mechanism;

a mounting element coupled to the mounting head;

an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and

a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is a virtual reality headset.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is an augmented reality headset.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to present instructions for manipulating the adjustment mechanism.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to present an indication whether the adjustment mechanism is in a desired position or not.

6 . An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket;

a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket, wherein the position feedback means comprises:

at least one position transducer disposed in the adjustment mechanism; and

a transmitter operably connected to the at least one position transducer;

a mounting element coupled to the mounting bracket;

an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and

a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket.

7 . An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket;

a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

a mounting element coupled to the mounting head;

an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and

a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; and

further comprising at least one actuator disposed in the adjustment mechanism, the at least one actuator configured to move the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket in response to command signals.

8 . An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket;

a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

a mounting element coupled to the mounting head;

an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and

a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; and

further comprising a cutting block, including:

a mounting element complementary to the mounting element of the mounting head; and

a guide surface configured to guide a surgical cutting instrument.

9 . An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket;

a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

a mounting element coupled to the mounting head;

an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and

a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket; and

further comprising a drilling guide, including:

a mounting element complementary to the mounting element of the mounting head; and

a plate which includes one or more guide holes.

10 . An apparatus for securing and positioning a jig on a human joint, comprising:

a mounting bracket;

a first tracking marker coupled to the mounting bracket, configured to generate a first signal representative of the position and orientation in space of the mounting bracket;

a mounting head coupled to a distal end of the mounting bracket by an adjustment mechanism configured to permit six degree of freedom of movement of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes one or more adjustment knobs, each of the adjustment of configured to rotate or translate the adjustment mechanism about one axis;

position feedback means configured to generate a second signal representative of the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket;

a mounting element coupled to the mounting head;

an electronic receiving device configured to receive the first and second signals; and

a display configured to display the position and orientation of the mounting head relative to the mounting bracket.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , where the adjustment mechanism includes indicia indicating the position of the one or more adjustment knobs.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2024
From: LITTLE ENGINE LLC
To: DYNAMIC BALANCER SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 069710/0213 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2023
From: KELLAR, FRANZ W.; CROWDER, HAROLD L.; KELLAR, FRANZ AUSTEN
To: LITTLE ENGINE, LLC
Reel/Frame 065541/0026 →
Continuity (2)
Division 18068948 · Dec 20, 2022
Related Publication 20240197338A1 · Jun 20, 2024
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