Abstract: A modular prosthetic knee system used to replace the natural knee. The system includes a femoral knee prosthesis and a tibial knee prosthesis. Both prostheses are formed of modular components that are connectable in-vivo to form the prosthetic knee system. The femoral knee prosthesis includes two separate components, a lateral condyle and medial condyle; and the tibial knee prosthesis includes a multiple separate components, a medial baseplate, a lateral baseplate, a medial insert, and a lateral insert. The medial and lateral baseplate are connectable to form a complete baseplate with the medial and lateral inserts connectable to the complete baseplate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile unicondylar tibial knee prosthesis for repairing a damaged knee joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing an osteophyte includes an elongated member. A portion of the elongated member includes a blunt end. A burr extends from this portion at a location proximal to the blunt end. An alternative embodiment includes a generally tongue-shaped elongated member. The elongated member includes a first portion and a second portion that define a passageway. The second portion includes a blunt end. At least one of a post and a wall extend from the first portion. A burr is coupled the second portion and the passageway at a location proximal to the blunt end. The burr includes a base with a generally pie-slice shaped perimeter, and includes a generally convex surface extending from the base. The generally convex surface includes a smooth portion facing generally toward the blunt end and a perforated, non-smooth portion facing generally toward the first portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: A resection guide alignment apparatus includes a resection guide, an intramedullary (“IM”) rod coupled to the resection guide, and a locking mechanism. The IM rod has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal rod axis extending between the first and second ends. The IM rod further includes a coupling portion defining a longitudinal coupling axis transverse to the rod axis. The coupling portion is mounted to the resection guide such that the resection guide is movable linearly along the coupling axis between a plurality of fixable linear positions relative to the IM rod and the resection guide is movable angularly about the coupling axis between a plurality of fixable angular positions relative to the IM rod. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the linear and angular position of the resection guide relative to the IM rod.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an implant sleeve are shown for use with implants inserted through a wound into a surgical site. In some embodiments, the sleeve is useful to protect mating implant components from contamination during insertion through the wound. In other embodiments, the sleeve is useful to clean components that have become contaminated during insertion.

Abstract: An instrument for seating taper junctions of modular implants engages two components and provides a sustained assembly force along the junction axis with great mechanical advantage. In one embodiment the instrument comprises a lever mechanism for generating the mechanical advantage. In another embodiment, the instrument provides for an indicator of the amount of force being applied to the junction. In another embodiment, the instrument engages the components for such that both assembly and disassembly can be accomplished.

Abstract: An orthopaedic instrumentation assembly for preparing a bone to receive an orthopaedic implant includes a rasp which is insertable within an opening in the bone and has an attachment end with a projection extending therefrom. A handle is attached to the projection. A cutting guide has a first leg and an adjoining second leg. The first leg is attached to the rasp and/or handle adjacent to the attachment end. The second leg is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the first leg to thereby lie adjacent to the bone.

Abstract: An IM rod has a proximal threaded portion that threads into the bone to increase the stability of the rod. The rod further includes an extended pointed tip for positive slip-free placement of the rod on the bone and an end cutting drill and reaming flutes for drilling a hole into and reaming the IM canal. Conformity between the shaft and the IM canal is increased to maximize stability by including a starter tip and drill as integral extensions of the shaft. Flutes extend up the rod beyond the drilling and reaming portion to allow decompression of the IM canal as the rod is inserted into the canal.

Abstract: A method of performing orthopaedic surgery on a bone includes the steps of: preparing an allograft form including a plurality of allograft bone particles with a predetermined outside shape (e.g., cylindrical or implant shaped); freezing the allograft form; placing the frozen allograft form in an opening in the bone; and impacting the frozen allograft form within the opening to cause the allograft form to at least partially fill the opening. The form includes a cannulation hole extending therethrough.

Abstract: A method of forming an orthopaedic implant having a porous surface layer thereon. A mask includes a cut-out configured to receive a portion of the implant therein. The implant is placed within the cut-out and thereby masked. A water soluble binder solution is sprayed onto at least a part of the unmasked portion of the implant using a sprayer, thereby forming a binder layer on the implant. The binder solution includes water, ethanol, gelatin, glycerin, and a colorant. A porous layer including a plurality of metallic particles is contacted with the binder layer. The porous layer is bonded with the surface of the implant with a sintering process.

Abstract: A femoral knee implant includes a fourth compartment of articulation. The superior posterior articulating surface is achieved by first increasing the thickness of the superior posterior condylar portion of the femoral component to widen the superior posterior edge of the posterior condyle. Second, the newly created surface at the superior posterior condyle is smoothly rounded to provide an articular surface with no sharp changes in the surface contours. In one embodiment, the fourth articular compartment of this invention is provided in a one piece femoral design. In another embodiment, it is provided as a modular addition to an existing prior art femoral component. In another embodiment, the fourth compartment is combined with a posterior stabilized (PS) TKR design that includes a tibial post and cooperating femoral cam characterized by low engagement of the cam on the spine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing bone cement which produces bone cement essentially free of entrained air. The apparatus includes a cartridge having two telescoping cylinders. The outer cylinder receives a cap thereon which hermetically seals the cartridge. The cap includes an outlet port in which a break-away agitator is installed and a port for connection of a vacuum pump. In use, a desired vacuum pressure is drawn on the cartridge and the inner cylinder is allowed to be drawn into the outer cylinder while the vacuum is being drawn, whereupon the inner cylinder automatically stops moving relative to the outer cylinder when the desired vacuum pressure is reached. Mixing of the bone cement is then performed under the partial vacuum thereby created. The agitator paddles provide a scraping action against both inner cylinder walls of the telescoping cylinders thereby improving mixing.

Abstract: A joint between an implant body component and a stem component provides an initially rigid connection that further remains rigid even if the joint settles upon being loaded. The body and stem have portions comprising a male/female taper junction. A fastener maintains the taper junction in tight engagement. The fastener engages the implant components and draws them together. The fastener includes a resilient portion that deflects such that if settling occurs, the resilient portion maintains compressive contact between the fastener and the components.

Abstract: A pin puller has a receiving end which holds the head of a pin securely and a mechanism for multiplying a handle squeezing force. The squeezing force is redirected to axially pull the pin from a bone.

Abstract: A biodegradable device for repairing torn meniscal cartilage comprising a shaft and tissue gripping means at both ends. One end is adapted to pierce the tissue and the opposite end is adapted to fit a driver. The central portion of the device is essentially smooth along its length. The device has been subjected to a drawing operation after fabrication leaving the molecules in the shaft in a higher state of residual stress. When the device is exposed to an aqueous environment, the water absorbed by the polymer lowers the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Lowering glass transition temperature allows increased molecular mobility causing the device to contract. The contraction pulls the torn tissues into close apposition during healing. As the tissue heals, the tension is released by the polymer resorbing.

Abstract: An acetabular cup kit for use during hip replacement surgery includes a polar component with a socket for receiving a femoral head of a femoral prosthesis. A metal shell has a cavity which is configured for receiving the polar component therein. The metal shell also includes an annular face bounding the cavity. A metal ring is attachable with the metal shell at the annular face. The metal ring is configured to retain the polar component within the cavity when attached with the metal shell. The metal ring includes at least one secondary fixation device, such as a flange, allowing fixation of the metal ring with a pelvic bone. A plastic ring is also attachable with the metal shell at the annular face. The plastic ring is configured to retain the polar component within the cavity when attached with the metal shell.

Abstract: A milling instrument for use in orthopaedic surgery includes an elongate stem for insertion into a prepared intramedullary canal of a bone. A pivotable mill includes a base connected to the stem and a cutting head pivotally connected to the base about a pivot axis. The cutting head has an axis of rotation and is rotatable about the axis of rotation. The cutting head has a first abutment surface positioned relative to the pivot axis and the base has a second abutment surface positioned relative to the pivot axis. The first abutment surface and the second abutment surface abut each other upon pivoting of the cutting head relative to the base at a predetermined angle and thereby limit the pivoting therebetween.

Abstract: A notch/chamfer guide has chamfer and trochlear recess cutting slots and a notch, corresponding to the intercondylar box of a femoral implant, with a removable notch slot attachment. With the notch slot attachment assembled to the cutting guide adjacent the notch, blade receiving slots are defined between the notch slot attachment and the inside walls of the notch. The slots provide control to the saw blade to prevent the blade from angling away from the notch walls and making imprecise cuts. The notch slot attachment is removable to allow easy access to the notch area so that a manual instrument such as an osteotome can be used for final removal of the notch bone and to facilitate the use of an oscillating saw in the chamfer slots of the guide. A U-shaped notch is provided for cutting a trochlear recess that will lie behind the anterior portion of the implanted knee component to receive the backside of the patellar track of the implant.