Abstract: A femoral sizing instrument for use in a knee joint replacement procedure has a housing which includes formations (4) by which it can be located relative to the femoral posterior condyles. A cortex arm (14) has a tip (16) for engaging the anterior cortex of the femur and a sulcus arm (20) has a tip (24) for engaging the sulcus. Each of the cortex and sulcus arms can be adjusted relative to the housing to adjust the distance between its tip and the posterior condyles measured generally parallel to the anterior posterior axis. The instrument includes at least one scale (13,23,27,25) for indicating the positions of the tips of the cortex and sulcus arms relative to the posterior condyles.

Abstract: An assembly for use in cutting a bone during a surgical procedure comprises a cutting tool and a guide block. The cutting tool includes a blade and a drive unit for imparting a cutting motion to the blade. The guide block can be positioned against the bone and has a reference surface for guiding the blade during the cutting step, the guide block having a screen surface which provides a point of reference to indicate proper alignment of the blade. The cutting tool includes means for directing a collimated beam of light in a direction parallel to the blade, on to the screen surface on the guide block when the blade is in contact with the guide surface, the distance between the blade axis and the light beam being equal to the distance between the reference surface and the point of reference on the screen surface.

Abstract: A surgical instrument alignment guide comprising a mount (2) arranged to be coupled to a bone of a patient, an alignment rod (4), a guide rod (24) and an indicator (26). The alignment rod (4) has a first end pivotally coupled to the mount (2) such that the inclination of the alignment rod (4) relative to the mount (2) is adjustable. The guide rod (24) is couplable to a second end of the alignment rod (4) at an adjustable angle and orientation such that the guide rod (24) can extend transverse to the alignment rod (4). The indicator (26) is coupled to the guide rod (24) to indicate when the guide rod (24) lies at a desired angle relative to a horizontal axis. Also disclosed is a method of aligning a surgical instrument using the surgical instrument alignment guide.

Abstract: An intramedullary fixation device for use with a bone comprising a proximal end, is provided. The fixation device includes a nail sized and configured to be inserted into an intramedullary channel of the bone, the nail having a generally laterally extending bore, an arm sized and configured to be located so that at least a portion of the arm extends through the bore of the nail along the neck of the bone when the device is implanted in the bone, the arm having a threaded portion at one end for fixation into the head of the bone. The device also includes a locking mechanism to prevent rotation of the arm relative to the nail, the locking mechanism configured to allow sliding of the arm through the bore, the locking mechanism configured to be located on the lateral side of the nail and the distal side of the bone when the arm is disposed within the bore.

Abstract: An instrument for use in a joint replacement procedure comprises a head part which corresponds to the head of an orthopaedic joint component, in which the head part has a bore formed in it, and a connector for connecting the head part to a stem part of the orthopaedic joint component, which is intended for location in the intramedullary cavity of a bone. The connector can be fitted into the bore in the head part in one of a plurality of angular orientations. It comprises a body part and a trigger which can be moved relative to the body part between an unlocked position in which the connector can be moved relative to the head part between different ones of the plurality of angular orientations and a locked position in which the connector is restrained against such movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the cure of a bone cement material provided in a container includes a memory device in which data is stored relating to the time taken for the cement material of the type in the container to cure according to the temperature of the material. A data processor is used to calculate the time taken for the cement material to cure, based on data relating to the temperature of the cement material and data in the memory device relating to extent of cure. An output device is provided for data from the data processor relating to the extent of cure of the cement material in the container.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a procedure for implantation of an orthopedic joint component, comprises a head part of the joint component which has a tapered bore within it, and a connector part which is tapered inwardly along its length so that it can be received snugly in the tapered bore in the head part, the connector part having a bore within it. A tool includes a spigot which fits snugly into the bore in the connector part. Each of the tool and the connector part has a face which contact one another when the spigot on the tool is fully received in the bore in the connector part, and in which each of the said faces extends generally transverse relative to the aligned axes of the spigot and the bore.

Abstract: A support structure implant for location within a bone cavity to support the bone which defines the cavity is formed from interlaced wires which extend from a first end of the structure towards an opposite second end. The wires are formed into loops at the first end of the structure. The structure includes a clip having a plurality of fingers which extend through the loops to control the spacing between the loops.

Abstract: A support structure implant for location within a bone cavity to support the bone which defines the cavity is formed from wires by braiding in a machine direction from a first end of the structure towards an opposite second end. The wires are formed into loops at the first end of the structure so that two lengths of wire extend away from each loop and a reformed into the braid. Each of the wires which is formed into the braid is held at the second end of the structure in a clamp. The clamp is provided by a support ring and a clamp ring which is formed from a shape memory alloy which can shrink to clamp the wires against the support ring when heated.

Abstract: An assembly for deploying a stranded support structure implant within a bone cavity to support the bone which defines the cavity comprises a support structure implant and an insertion tool. The support structure implant is formed from interlaced wires which extend from a first end of the structure towards an opposite second end. The structure flares outwardly from the first end to a maximum transverse dimension at a wide point between the first and second ends, and tapers inwardly between the wide point and the second end to a constant cross-section throat portion at the second end. The structure includes (i) a clip for controlling the spacing between the wires at the first end of the structure, in which the clip carries one of a spigot and a socket, and (ii) a ring clamp at the second end to retain the wires at the second end, in which the ring clamp has at least one clamp engagement formation.

Abstract: A goniometer comprises a first arm (2), a second arm (4) and a connecting portion (6) pivotally connecting the first arm (2) to the second arm (4) about a pivot axis (7). An instrument connector (8) is coupled to the first arm (2) arranged to couple to a surgical instrument (10). A method of aligning a surgical instrument (10) using the goniometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of aligning an alignment guide relative to a reamed acetabulum of a patient is provided. The method includes the step of manipulating an alignment guide comprising a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a guide arm having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion attached to the shaft and configured to be rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second portion extending from the first portion at a first predetermined angle along a second axis, and the third portion extending from the second portion at a second predetermined angle. The guide arm is rotated about the first axis relative to the shaft. A cup or trial is attached to the distal end of the shaft and positioned to contact the reamed acetabulum. The third portion of the guide arm is then oriented with respect to the long axis of the patient and the surface of the table on which the patient is positioned.

Abstract: An alignment guide is provided having a shaft with a longitudinal axis and a guide arm having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is attached to the shaft and configured to be rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second portion extends from the first portion at a first predetermined angle along a second axis. The third portion extends from the second portion at a second predetermined angle.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, which comprises a device substrate, a coating on the substrate which includes a drug which is highly soluble in water, and a protective layer which overlies the coating. The protective layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and a lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of not more than 40,000.

Abstract: An assembly for use in fixing a first component of a joint prosthesis, having a bone facing surface and an exposed surface which faces towards a second component of the joint prosthesis when implanted on a patient's bone. The assembly includes a skirt which can be temporarily fixed to the edge of the first component extending along the edge thereof from a remote portion of the edge to an accessible portion of the edge. The skirt provides at least one opening through which cement located between the bone facing surface of the component and the surface of the bone can be displaced. The opening is located so that cement is prevented from being displaced at the remote portion of the edge and is instead displaced at the accessible portion of the edge.

Abstract: A surgical resection guide comprising: a housing (36); a stylus arm (38) extending through the housing (36) and a linear adjustment mechanism. The linear adjustment mechanism comprises: a shaft (30) at least partially received within a bore extending through the housing (36) such that the shaft (30) can slide along its longitudinal axis relative to the housing (36), the shaft (30) incorporating a shaft tooth (50); and a dial (44) rotatably coupled to the housing (36) and incorporating a helical dial groove (48) defining a longitudinal axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft (30). The shaft tooth (50) engages the dial groove (48) such that rotating the dial (44) relative to the housing (36) causes the shaft tooth (50) to slide along the dial groove (48) causing the shaft (30) to slide within the bore along its longitudinal axis. The housing (36) and the stylus arm (38) can rotate about the shaft (30) without causing the shaft (30) to slide within its bore along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system includes a tool (2) including an elongate shaft which defines the tool axis. The shaft bears a plurality of marker rings (10, 11, 12) arranged in a predetermined pattern on the surface of the shaft so that they extend around the shaft axis. The system includes at least two receiving devices (14) which are spaced apart for receiving stereoscopic signals from the rings on the tool, and a data processor (16) for analysing the signal from the rings and generating information relating to the position and orientation of the tool relative to the receiving device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is described which comprises an alignment guide having a first part including a distal end and a second part having a proximal end. The first part is attached to the second part by a pivot mechanism so that the first part can be tilted relative to the second part. A brace is attached toward the proximal end of the alignment guide for attaching the instrument to a limb of a patient. A component is attached toward the distal end of the alignment guide. The pivot mechanism is configured so that tilting the first part does not substantially change the separation between the component and the brace.

Abstract: A surgical instrument which can be attached to a patient is described. The instrument includes an alignment guide having a distal end and a proximal end. A brace is attached toward the proximal end of the alignment guide for attaching the instrument to a limb of a patient. The brace comprises a pair of opposed members, each member being shaped to hold a respective bony part of the patient on either side of the patient. At least a part of the brace is made of a resilient material allowing the brace to grip the patient in use.

Abstract: An implant assembly having an articulating surface and an axial cavity arranged to receive an end of a bone, the axial cavity being generally circular in cross section in a plane normal to the axis of the implant, and including a spacing element detachable from the implant. At least a portion of the interior surface of the cavity is roughened and is arranged to abrade bone when the end of the bone is received in the cavity. The spacing element is arranged to prevent the implant from fully seating on the end of the bone such that the implant and the end of the bone are in a predetermined spaced apart arrangement.