Method and system for aligning a prosthesis during surgery using active sensors

Abstract

A method and system for determining the orientation of a surgical tool with respect to a bone of a patient, and a device for positioning a sensor are disclosed. The bone has at least three predetermined reference locations. The method includes: (a) defining a reference plane based on distances between the at least three predetermined reference locations; (b) determining a first sensing location on the bone based on the at least three predetermined reference locations; (c) attaching a first active sensor to the bone at the first sensing location; (d) positioning the surgical tool proximate the bone, the surgical tool including a second active sensor; (e) sensing movement of the bone using the first active sensor; (T) transmitting first information relating to movement of the bone using the first active sensor; (g) sensing movement of the surgical tool using the second active sensor; (h) transmitting second information relating to movement of the surgical tool using the second active sensor; (i) receiving the first and second information from the first and second active sensors; and (j) determining a three-dimensional orientation of the surgical tool with respect to the reference plane based on the first and second information. In some cases, the method may further include displaying the three dimensional orientation information to the user on a display device.