Abstract: A tool and a method for laying out resection or alignment features to prepare a bone end for prosthetic joint replacement. The tool includes adjustable assemblies coupled to a main body for determining a preparatory cut to fit a prosthesis, for example by drilling positioning holes or otherwise setting one or more preparatory cuts, and further includes elements for sizing the prosthesis. The body carries a sighting, pointer or caliper assembly which aligns to or is positioned on the medial and lateral epicondyles, and aligns the body along the epicondylar axis, while one or more other assemblies determine a line, depth or other positioning component to adjust the position of the body with respect to other landmarks before anchoring the assembly and performing cuts. In prototype embodiments, the body positions a drill guide to locate positioning pin holes in the femur.

Abstract: A tool lays out resection or alignment features to prepare a bone end for prosthetic joint replacement. The tool attaches to the end of the femur, and positions an initial cut, for example a pair of aligned drill holes for the positioning pins of a prosthesis or the cutting blocks used in preparing the distal femur. The tool includes adjustable assemblies coupled to a main body for setting its position, and these are arranged with graduations for sizing the femur. The adjustable assemblies include an epicondylar engaging assembly such as a pair of clamp arms which slide in the body to align the body along the epicondylar axis. It further includes one or more other assemblies which determine a line, offset depth or other coordinate or component of orientation to set the drill guide for optimally locating the initial cut in the femur.

Abstract: A guide and cutting system is provided that is effective to accurately and efficiently resect a bone, such as the femur, to accept joint prosthesis components. In particular, the guide and cutting system of the invention is useful to resect the distal end of the femur to form an intercondylar notch therein that will accept a posterior stabilized femoral component in the prosthesis. The system includes a guide component that with a square bushing is attachable to bone or to a separate guide assembly. A cutting device that includes a rotatable cutting device disposed inside a non-rotatable housing is insertable within the guide bushing to effect bone resection.

Abstract: A median ridge referencing system and method of use in prosthetic knee implantation surgery is provided. The median ridge referencing system comprises a patella clamp including a guide sleeve having a length and a lumen extending through the length and a referencing device comprising a stop ring and stop plug. The ring may be coupled to the guide sleeve at a plurality of locations along the length of the guide sleeve. The stop plug is removably coupled to the stop ring, and extends into lumen of the guide sleeve until it reaches the bone. The stop ring is then coupled to the guide sleeve and the stop plug is removed. A reamer is inserted into the lumen of the guide sleeve and used to ream the patella until the reamer's stop reaches the top of the stop ring. When the reamer reaches the top of the stop ring, the patella has been reamed to the proper depth for insertion of the patella prosthesis.