Abstract: A surgical instrument having an anchoring member securable to an anatomical structure and an implement portion which is adjustably repositionable relative to the anchoring member. The implement portion is selectively translatably adjustable and selectively rotatably adjustable relative to the anchoring member. The implement portion may be selectively translatable along and/or selectively rotatable about at least two substantially perpendicular axes. The implement portion may be selectively translatable about three substantially perpendicular axes and/or selectively rotatable about three substantially perpendicular axes. The instrument may also include at least one reference element to facilitate the registration of the implement portion in a computer implemented guidance system. The reference element may be three non-linearly positioned elements disposed on a member which is removably mounted to the instrument.

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: A system for registering an orthopedic implant in a computer assisted navigation system. The system includes a plurality of differently sized implants which may be the femoral component or hip stem of a prosthetic hip joint. A registration device is engageable with each of the implants in a predefined relative position. The registration device also includes at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system. A second reference structure also having at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system is detachably secured to the implant. The relative positions of the reference elements located on the registration device and second reference structure differs for each of the plurality of implants and thereby allows the navigation system to determine the nominal size of the implant. The relative position and orientation of the implant relative to the second structure can also be calibrated using the registration device.

Abstract: A method of making a non-modular prosthetic device for a joint arthroplasty. The method comprises molding a polymer interlayer between a porous metal structure and a polymer insert, wherein the insert generally comprises conventional or cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”).

Abstract: A two-piece cut block for performing a minimally invasive partial or total knee arthroplasty. The present invention comprises a cut block that can be inserted into an incision in two parts then assembled in vivo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. An approximately 3.75-5 centimeter (1.5-2 inch) anterior incision is made in line with the femoral neck. The femoral neck is severed from the femoral shaft and removed through the anterior incision. The acetabulum is prepared for receiving an acetabular cup through the antenor incision, and the acetabular cup is placed into the acetabulum through the anterior incision. A posterior incision of approximately 2-3 centimeters (0.8-1.2 inches) is generally aligned with the axis of the femoral shaft and provides access to the femoral shaft. Preparation of the femoral shaft including the reaming and rasping thereof is performed through the posterior incision, and the femoral stem is inserted through the posterior incision for implantation in the femur.

Abstract: A method for attaching a porous metal layer to a dense metal substrate, wherein the method is particularly useful in forming orthopedic implants such as femoral knee components or acetabular cups. The method, in one embodiment thereof, comprises providing a structured porous layer; providing a dense metal substrate; providing a binding mixture; applying the binding mixture to the exterior of the substrate; placing the porous layer against the substrate such that the binding mixture is disposed there between forming an assembly; and heat treating the assembly to metallurgically bond the porous layer to the substrate.

Abstract: An orthopedic knee component for implanting within a single compartment of a human knee includes, in a first embodiment a tibial tray having a superior surface having a plurality of tabs disposed along an exterior edge thereof, a bearing component having a superior surface adapted to articularly engage a femoral knee prosthesis and a circumferential groove disposed therearound with which the tabs of the tibial tray cooperatively engage such that the bearing component is movable relative to the tibial tray.

Abstract: A detachable support arm structure couples a computer-assisted navigation system reference array to an instrument, for example, a surgical instrument, such that the geometry between the reference array and the surgical instrument is predetermined and registration of the instrument in the navigation system does not require calibration each time the reference array and support arm structure are coupled to the instrument. The support arm structure includes a mounting interface engageable with a mounting interface on the instrument. Engagement of the mounting interfaces releasably secures and repeatably and accurately locates and fixes the support structure to the instrument in a predefined geometry in each of six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A system for registering an orthopedic implant in a computer assisted navigation system. The system includes a plurality of differently sized implants which may be the femoral component or hip stem of a prosthetic hip joint. A registration device is engageable with each of the implants in a predefined relative position. The registration device also includes at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system. A second reference structure also having at least one reference element registerable in the computer assisted navigation system is detachably secured to the implant. The relative positions of the reference elements located on the registration device and second reference structure differs for each of the plurality of implants and thereby allows the navigation system to determine the nominal size of the implant. The relative position and orientation of the implant relative to the second structure can also be calibrated using the registration device.

Abstract: A provisional orthopedic prosthesis having a first provisional component and an optional second component. The provisional prosthesis may be a partial knee prosthesis and is used to assess the fit of a permanent prosthesis having first and second components. The first provisional component has a size which differs from the first permanent component and is mountable on a bone which has been only partially prepared to receive the first permanent component. Providing a provisional component which is mounted on a partially prepared bone, simplifies the preparation of the bone for a differently sized component if the provisional indicates that the preliminarily selected permanent component is incorrectly sized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved junction for modular implant components.

Abstract: A disassembly tool for disassembling components secured together by a mating taper connection. The disassembly tool of the present invention includes a self-tapping sleeve for securement in the longitudinal bore of the component having the female portion of the locking taper connection. The self-tapping sleeve includes self-tapping external threads for securing the self-tapping sleeve in the longitudinal bore of the component having the female taper. The self-tapping sleeve further includes a longitudinal bore having internal threads mating with external threads of a threaded inner rod. In use, the self-tapping sleeve is engaged in the longitudinal bore of the component having the female taper. The threaded inner rod is thereafter threaded through the threaded longitudinal bore in the self-taping sleeve until the distal end of the threaded rod abuts the end of the component having the male taper and forces separation of the locking taper connection.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substantially pliable sheet-like member, a surgical retractor, and a substantially elastic coupling extending between the sheet-like member and the retractor. A method for expanding a surgical cavity in a patient includes positioning the patient on a substantially pliable sheet-like member, positioning a surgical retractor in the cavity, extending a substantially elastic coupling between the sheet-like member and the retractor, and tensioning the coupling.

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: A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive (i. e., with the wound developed under an incision being substantially the same size as the incision throughout the depth of the wound) total hip arthroplasty. The apparatus includes a provisional femoral head allowing for radial placement thereof on a provisional femoral neck as well as a posterior retractor sleeve for allowing access to a femur through a posterior incision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a posterior retractor having handle and retracting sections. The retracting section retracts soft tissue in the posterior section of the surgical site and includes a paddle with a curved flare and an elongated curved prong extending outwardly.

Abstract: An easily assembled provisional orthopaedic implant having first and second components. The first component may include a stem which can be inserted into an intramedullary canal and may be a femoral component of a knee joint prosthesis. The second component has a body and a sliding retention member. The retention member can be manually engaged with a groove on the stem of the first component to lock the two components together. The second component may form of an intercondylar box and have a projecting tab engageable with a recess on the femoral component to properly orient the two components when they are placed in registry with each other.

Abstract: A method for preparing and cutting the radial and carpal bones to receive a prosthetic wrist during a total wrist arthroplasty. Cuts on both the radius and carpal bones are made from a single broach. The broach is embedded in the intramedullary canal of the radius and a cutting tool is attached to an end of the broach to resect the radius. With the cutting tool removed, a cut block is attached to the broach and the carpal bones are resected. The cut block has a thickness that equal the thickness of the bearing component of the wrist prosthesis.