Abstract: Illustrative methods of manufacturing flexible drive shaft assemblies for preparing bone can include steps such as providing, receiving or manufacturing a mold. Injecting a first polymeric material into the mold to form a coupling member, the coupling member adapted for attachment to a torque-providing driving tool. Injecting a second polymeric material into the mold to form a work member, the work member adapted to interface with the bone to prepare the bone. The method can further include injecting a third polymeric material into the mold in an overmolding process to form a flexible shaft extending from the coupling member to the work member. The assemblies resulting from such methods can include a flexible shaft that is adapted to transmit a majority of a torque received from a torque-providing driving tool through the flexible shaft. In some examples, the flexible shaft can include a solid polymeric shaft.

Abstract: A reamer operably connected to a movable drive element by a translation assembly such that the movement of the movable drive element rotates the reamer. The reamer can be sized such that the reamer can be navigated through or around soft tissue to position the reamer adjacent the defect region and angled to align the reamer with a reamer axis perpendicular to the plane of the defect region. The translation assembly can be configured to translate rotation of the movable drive element to the reamer through an opening through or around the soft tissue. The translation assembly can permit axial reaming of the defect region when the perpendicular axis is obscured by soft tissue.

Abstract: A device for the repair of a phalangeal joint comprises a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible spacer connecting the first and second anchors. The flexible spacer comprises a plurality of elongate fibers extending axially or criss-crossed between the first and second anchors and a polymeric matrix interspersed with the plurality of elongate fibers. Specifically, a prosthetic metatarsophalangeal joint device comprises a porous metallic metatarsal bone anchor, a porous metallic phalangeal bone anchor, and a polymeric spacer element comprising parallel or criss-crossed elongate fibers that can connect the metatarsal bone anchor and the phalangeal bone anchor. Methods for manufacturing prosthetic joint devices comprise using three-dimensional printing processes or molding processes.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for performing an orthopedic knee arthroplasty surgery with a robotic arm are generally described herein. A method may include awakening, using a robotic controller, a robotic arm from a parked mode to a surgical procedure mode. Moving, using the robotic controller, the robotic arm to a specified position to aid in the surgical procedure. The method may further include initiating, using the robotic controller, the surgical procedure by activating the robotic arm. In some examples, the robotic arm may be connected to a robotic base located between a first leg support configured to support a first leg of the patient during the surgical procedure and a second leg support configured to support a second leg of the patient during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing total knee arthroplasty procedures with kinematic alignment are described herein. A method of performing a total knee arthroplasty can comprise positioning a femoral cut guide adjacent a distal end of a femur, positioning a tibial cut guide proximate a proximal end of a tibia adjacent an anterior surface of the tibia, adjusting a position of the femoral cut guide and the tibial cut guide relative to each other using a tibial positioning device, fixing the position of the femoral cut guide relative to the tibial cut guide using the tibial positioning device, and resecting the femur and tibia with parallel resections using the femoral and tibial cut guides.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant comprising: (a) a distal femoral component comprising a first condyle bearing surface having a first profile comprising at least three consecutive arcs of curvature; and (b) a proximal tibial component comprising a first condyle bearing surface having a second profile comprising at least three parallel arcs of curvature.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems including an instrument for manipulating components within a knee joint of a patient are disclosed. Such manipulation can include inserting and/or removing such components to or from a bone of the knee joint. The instrument can include a handle, a body, a plunger, a detent and a collar. The handle can have a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal extent between the proximal end and the distal end. The body can be coupled to the handle and can extend distal of the distal end. The body can define a receptacle therein having an opening at a distal end portion of the instrument. The plunger can be moveably disposed within the body and can be moveable between a first position and a second position. The detent can be moveable by the plunger, such that with the plunger in the first position at least a portion of the detent can extend into the receptacle and with the plunger in the second position the detent can be recessed from the receptacle.

Abstract: A force and rotation sensing device can be suitable for measuring a force within a knee joint. A force sensor can measure a force exerted between opposing surfaces of a housing. A force display positioned on the housing can visually represent a value of the measured force, such as with a dual-sided light-emitting diode display that is visible from opposing sides of the housing. A first rotation sensor can measure a flexion/extension position of the housing. A flexion/extension display can visually represent a value of the measured flexion/extension position. In some examples, a zero button can set a reference orientation of the housing, so that the first rotation sensor can measure the flexion/extension position as a relative rotation with respect to the reference orientation. In some examples, circuitry can wirelessly transmit data corresponding to the value of the measured flexion/extension position.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a model of a patient specific cut guide instrument for harvesting a graft comprises a model of a graft defined by an implant interface surface, a bone interface surface, and a spatial geometry therebetween, the model being specific to a patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant system for reconstructing a knee joint comprises a prosthetic implant and sleeve. The prosthetic implant comprises a tibial tray component for reconstructing a tibia of the knee joint, and a stem configured to extend from the tibial tray component to anchor the tibial tray component in the tibia of the knee joint. The sleeve comprises an outer wall configured to engage with bone, and an inner bore configured to receive the stem. The inner bore is shaped to couple to the prosthetic implant at a first location proximate the tibial tray component while surrounding the stem, and uncouple from the prosthetic implant at a second location spaced from the first location while still surrounding the stem. Methods employing the prosthetic implant system can comprise intraoperatively determining to use the sleeve in a coupled or un-coupled configuration based on a depth of a broach into a broached channel.

Abstract: The subject matter includes a system and method for providing graphical feedback visualizing forces within a joint through a range of motion of the joint. The method can comprise receiving position data, receiving force data, and generating a graphical representation based on the position data and the force data. The receiving position data can include data for at least one bone of a joint while the at least one bone is moved through a range of motion (ROM). The receiving force data can occur concurrently to receiving the position data and using one or more processors, the force data can be collected from at least one force sensor embedded within a trial prosthesis in the joint. The graphical representation can illustrate changes in the force data versus locations of the bone as it moved through the ROM.

Abstract: A knee arthroplasty assembly for use in a patient's knee joint including a tibia and a femur is disclosed. The assembly can include a tool, a first accessory, and a second accessory. The tool can include a tibial component configured for placement against the tibia and a femoral component configured for placement against the femur. The femoral component can be moveably coupled to the tibial component to place the patient's knee joint in tension by separating the tibia and the femur. The first accessory can be removeably coupled to the tibial component of the tool. The second accessory can be referenced to the first accessory and can have a reference indicator that references the femur for determining a size of the femur.

Abstract: Methods and instruments for performing a kinematically-aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are disclosed. Goals of the kinematically-aligned TKA can include restoration of (1) the femoral and tibial joint lines to the patient's natural joint line, (2) the patient's Hip-Knee-Ankle alignment to their constitutional alignment prior to developing osteoarthritis and (3) restoration of the patient's natural soft tissue laxity and envelope. A shim block assembly can be used in resecting the distal medial and lateral condyles to account for cartilage wear on the distal condyles from osteoarthritis. The shim block assembly can include a plurality of shims, and each shim can be attachable to or integral with a reference block. At least one of the plurality of shims can have a medial portion with a thickness different from a thickness of a lateral portion of the shim. The shims need not be joined together as a single medial/lateral component but may be independent of one another.

Abstract: A tool body having a first clamp element positioned on a first tool arm and a drill guide positioned on a second tool arm. The surgical tool can also have a slider element slidable on the tool body, the slider element having a depth probe and a second clamp element. The second clamp element can be engaged with the first clamp element such that the first and second elements cooperate to define a clamp opening for receiving a supplemental screw.

Abstract: A method for placing a first guide wire in a patient is disclosed. The method can include locating a model axis in a model and placing a second guide wire at the model axis, the model axis corresponding to an anatomical axis of an anatomical feature. The method can include coupling a guide plate to the second guide wire and the model. The method can include coupling an axis guide to the guide plate. The method can include decoupling the guide plate and the axis guide as an alignment unit from the second guide wire and coupling the guide plate and the axis guide as an alignment unit to the anatomical feature of the patient. The method can include using the alignment unit to place the first guide wire in the anatomical feature of the patient at the anatomical axis of the anatomical feature.

Abstract: The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally, the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removably locks or helps to removably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.

Abstract: Osteosynthesis constructs for treating bone fractures and bone screws for use in such systems are disclosed. The bone screws include a threaded front section configured for engagement with cortical bone, a threaded mid-section and an unthreaded neck section configured for limited movement within the near cortex of the bone. Osteosynthesis constructs of the type disclosed promote secondary healing by allowing for substantially parallel motion at the near and far cortex within the effective motion range for callus formation.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis. This particular method includes providing a porous metal layer (22) positioned against a metal substrate at an interface between the porous metal layer and the metal substrate. Additional steps include providing an electrode (132) and providing an intermediate element or coating positioned between and in contact with the electrode and the porous metal layer where the intermediate element includes tantalum in contact with tantalum of the porous metal layer. In a further step, an electrical current is directed to the interface between the porous metal layer and the metal substrate to bond the porous metal layer to the metal substrate.

Abstract: A tibial spacer paddle comprises a spacer block comprising opposing bearing surfaces, an alignment slot extending into the spacer block; and a handle extending from the spacer block. The spacer block can include feet for passively engaging the femur or pegs for actively engaging a femoral component so that the spacer block is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. A tibial spacer system comprises a provisional component having an alignment tab extending from a body and an alignment indicator located on the body, a femoral component and a pin extending from the femoral component. The pin can engage the alignment tab so that the provisional component is linked to the femur while the tibia rotates. In addition to or alternatively to the alignment tab and pin, the provisional component can include a tibial plate that can be rotationally connected to the provisional component.

Abstract: External fixation systems, and methods for immobilizing joints or fractured bones. An external fixation system may include one or more clamp assemblies connected to one or more rod assemblies at polyaxial joints. Each rod assembly may be length adjustable, and may include a one-way locking mechanism to provisionally lock the length of the rod assembly, and additional locking mechanisms to permanently lock the length of the rod assembly. The system may be deployed pre-assembled as a unit to immobilize a joint or fracture. Another external fixation system further includes a spanning member extending transverse to the rod assemblies. Two or more external fixation systems may be deployed in a stacked configuration on one set of bone pins to immobilize two joints and/or fractures. The systems may be provided in kits including guiding instrumentation, bone pins and pin clamping assemblies for connecting the bone pins to the external fixation systems.