Abstract: A device, for example a medical implant, and a method of making the same, the device having a metal or metal alloy substrate, for example CoCr, and a diffusion hardened metallic surface, for example a plasma carburized surface, contacting a non-diffusion hardened surface or a diffusion hardened surface having a diffusion hardening species different from that of the opposing surface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing orthopedic knee inserts. The orthopedic knee inserts include a surface portion having a lip configured to couple with a mating member of a tibial component, where the lip has recesses that define non-continuous contact regions between the lip and the mating member of the tibial component. Alternatively, or additionally, in certain embodiments the mating member includes a shelf for mating with an insert, the mating member having a plurality of splines disposed along the shelf that form non-continuous contact regions between the mating member and the insert.

Abstract: An alignment guide for aligning instrumentation along a proximal femur includes a neck portion configured to wrap around a portion of the neck of the femur, a head underside portion configured to abut a disto-lateral portion of the femoral head and a medial head portion configured to overlie a medial portion of the head. Portions of the guide can have an inner surface generally a negative of the femoral bone of a specific patient that the guide overlies; such surfaces can be formed using data obtained from the specific patient. The neck portion can be configured to rotationally stabilize the guide by abutting and generating a first gripping force on the neck. The femoral head portions can be configured to grip the head portion of the femur and can support a bore guide that is configured to guide an instrument to the femur in a specified location and along a given axis.

Abstract: Certain embodiments generally provide an improved tibial base member comprising keel portions that allow one or both cruciate ligaments to be preserved. Other embodiments provide improved lateral and/or medial inserts having a mesial lip that helps relieve and/or prevent impingement between the femoral component and the tibial eminence. Other embodiments provide improved femoral components having various chamfers to provide additional clearance with respect to the tibial eminence and posterior cruciate ligament without decreasing bone coverage.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing orthopedic knee inserts. The orthopedic knee inserts include a surface portion having a lip configured to couple with a mating member of a tibial component, where the lip has recesses that define non-continuous contact regions between the lip and the mating member of the tibial component. Alternatively, or additionally, in certain embodiments the mating member includes a shelf for mating with an insert, the mating member having a plurality of splines disposed along the shelf that form non-continuous contact regions between the mating member and the insert.

Abstract: Certain embodiments generally provide an improved tibial base member comprising keel portions that allow one or both cruciate ligaments to be preserved. Other embodiments provide improved lateral and/or medial inserts having a mesial lip that helps relieve and/or prevent impingement between the femoral component and the tibial eminence. Other embodiments provide improved femoral components having various chamfers to provide additional clearance with respect to the tibial eminence and posterior cruciate ligament without decreasing bone coverage.

Abstract: An alignment guide for aligning instrumentation along a proximal femur includes a neck portion configured to wrap around a portion of the neck of the femur, a head underside portion configured to abut a disto-lateral portion of the femoral head and a medial head portion configured to overlie a medial portion of the head. Portions of the guide can have an inner surface generally a negative of the femoral bone of a specific patient that the guide overlies; such surfaces can be formed using data obtained from the specific patient. The neck portion can be configured to rotationally stabilize the guide by abutting and generating a first gripping force on the neck. The femoral head portions can be configured to grip the head portion of the femur and can support a bore guide that is configured to guide an instrument to the femur in a specified location and along a given axis.

Abstract: A device, for example a medical implant, and a method of making the same, the device having a metal or metal alloy substrate, for example CoCr, and a diffusion hardened metallic surface, for example a plasma carburized surface, contacting a non-diffusion hardened surface or a diffusion hardened surface having a diffusion hardening species different from that of the opposing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring bone strain to detect fracture consolidation includes a fixation device which is affixed to a patient's bone that has a fracture site to be healed and wherein the fixation device supports an elongated optical fiber. Light is transmitted through the optical fiber to an exit point. The light intensity within the optical fiber is measured, preferably at the exit point as the light travels through the optical fiber. Light intensity is measured to monitor strain in the fixation device as the fracture site heals. A physician then determines when the site has fully healed by observing changes in light intensity as the patient's bone rather than the fixation device carries more of the patient's normal body loading.

Abstract: A surgical method of measuring bone strain to detect fracture consolidation includes the steps of affixing an external fixation device to the patient's bone that has a fracture site to be healed and wherein the fixation device supports an elongated optical fiber. Light is transmitted through the optical fiber to an exit point. The light intensity within the optical fiber is measured, preferably at the exit point as the light travels through the optical fiber. Light intensity is measured to monitor strain in the fixation device as the fracture site heals. A physician then determines when the site has fully healed by observing changes in light intensity as the patient's bone rather than the fixation device carries more of the patient's normal body loading.

Abstract: A knee cutting instrument apparatus includes an elongated alignment rod that can enable a surgeon to define alignment with a patient's long bone. An instrument block body can slide upon the alignment rod between its end portions. A locking member forms a connection with the rod at a selected position along the rod. The locking member includes a cam locking arrangement that rotates about a pivot on the instrument body. The cam has a handle portion or arm that enables a user to rotate the cam and its locking tab about its pivot. Part of the locking cam includes a locking tab having a slot that extends circumferentially about ninety degrees (90.degree.) around the pivot of the cam. The slot is positioned radially in between the pivot and the periphery of the locking member at a locking member bearing surface. The slot provides a closed end portion and an open end portion that communicates with the locking member periphery at a positioned spaced away from the bearing surface.