Abstract: The present disclosure provides knee prostheses that replicate at least a portion of the function of an individual patient's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). An exemplary knee prosthesis includes a femoral component configured to be implanted on the distal end of the patient's femur and a tibial component configured to be implanted on the proximal end of the patient's tibia. In extension, the femoral component and the tibial component may cooperate to limit anterior movement of the tibial component relative to the femoral component. In flexion, the femoral component may be free to rotate relative to the tibial component.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis, and, particularly, a fixed bearing tibial prosthesis has a two-pronged securement mechanism. The securement mechanism may or may not be angled. Advantageously, the securement mechanism, working alone or in cooperation with other securement features, minimizes micromotion between the tibial tray and tibial bearing component.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis has a bearing component configured for an anterior-medial insertion, which advantageously avoids the extensor mechanism of the knee. A tibial tray may include a banana-shaped boss that corresponds to a notch formed in the bearing component. After the bearing component is inserted along the anterior-medial path, the boss is received within the notch by rotating the bearing component with respect to the tibial tray. This rotation seat the bearing component upon the tibial tray in the manner of a fixed-bearing prosthesis. Alternatively, the boss and notch may define angled central axes which allow straight anterior-medial insertion of the bearing component and locking engagement to the tibial tray.

Abstract: A plurality of individual medical devices is created that define a medical device family. Within the family of medical devices, each of the plurality of medical devices has at least one dimension that, within an acceptable tolerance, is substantially equal to the same dimension of another of the plurality of medical devices. Thus, for each medical device in the family, another, corresponding medical device has at least one substantially similar dimension. For example, a first medical device may have a first value for a dimension and a second medical device may have a second value for the same dimension that is equal to one of the sum of the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance or the difference between the second dimension and the acceptable tolerance. Thus, each of the plurality of medical devices varies from another of the plurality of medical devices by the acceptable tolerance.

Abstract: A provisional component for use with differently sized first and second prosthetic orthopedic components. The provisional component has a configuration which is substantially similar to the first prosthetic component and has a predefined correspondence to the second prosthetic component. The provisional component is mounted on a bone to assess the fit of the first prosthetic component. The provisional component includes a referencing element for defining a reference point on the bone if the fit of the provisional component indicates that the second prosthetic component should be used. An instrument guide is aligned with the reference point and used to properly position a surgical instrument to prepare the bone to receive the second prosthetic component. The provisional and prosthetic components may all be femoral components which have an articulating surface defining a single condylar-shaped projection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut in unicondylar knee arthroplasty is disclosed. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia. The headless securing devices are used as a reference for securing a tibial cut block to the tibia for making the proximal tibial resection. With the mechanism of the present invention, the knee can be placed in flexion when making the proximal tibial cut.

Abstract: A bone resection apparatus and its method of use for knee surgery are presented. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a spacer and a tibial cut guide. The spacer has a first surface engageable with the cut distal femoral bone and a second surface opposite the first surface engageable with the uncut proximal tibial bone in joint articulating relationship. The spacer further includes a cut guide support. The tibial cut guide has a cutter guide defining a cut plane and a support engaging element engageable with the cut guide support. The cut guide support and support engaging element cooperate to position the cut plane in relative to the first surface.

Abstract: In an orthopaedic knee joint prosthesis, an intercondylar fossa of a femoral component cooperates with a spine formed in a tibial component to reproduce the screw home mechanism of a natural knee. When the femoral component and tibial component are positioned to correspond with slight flexion of the knee, the components are mutually rotationally locked against internal or external rotation. At higher degrees of flexion, such as greater than about 10-20 degrees of flexion, internal/external rotation of the tibia is permitted. The tibia is in an externally rotated position when locked, thereby reproducing the screw home mechanism and providing high stability.

Abstract: A bone resection apparatus and its method of use for knee surgery are presented. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a spacer and a tibial cut guide. The spacer has a first surface engageable with the cut distal femoral bone and a second surface opposite the first surface engageable with the uncut proximal tibial bone in joint articulating relationship. The spacer further includes a cut guide support. The tibial cut guide has a cutter guide defining a cut plane and a support engaging element engageable with the cut guide support. The cut guide support and support engaging element cooperate to position the cut plane in relative to the first surface.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis is provided for use in knee arthroplasty. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a tibial prosthesis having a tibial baseplate with a fixed medial bearing component and a mobile lateral bearing component. In one exemplary embodiment, the lateral bearing component is secured to the lateral portion of the tibial baseplate utilizing at least one prosthetic ligament. Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, a stop is provided to limit anterior or posterior movement of the lateral bearing component relative to the tibial baseplate. For example, the stop may be defined by cooperating shoulders formed on the lateral bearing and the tibial baseplate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tibial prosthesis having an articulating component and a tray component. The articulating component is configured for attachment to the tray component. Additionally, the articulating component may be attached to the tray component in a first condition in which the articulating component is at least rotatable relative to the tray component. This allows for the tray component to be attached to the tibia in a position that provides for proper rotation of the tray component with respect to the tibia and/or prevents the tray component from overhanging the resected tibia. Then, the articulating component may be rotated and/or translated to a position that provides for proper alignment of the articulating component with a femoral prosthesis. Once in this positioned, a locking mechanism is used to rotationally fix the articulating component to the tray component.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for attaching a surgical component to a bone at a surgical site. The apparatus includes an elongated pin and a cam mounted to the pin. The cam is engaged with the surgical component such that rotating the cam about the shaft axis changes the surgical component position relative to the bone.

Abstract: An adjustable resection guide is provided for guiding cutting of the tibia and/or femur during knee replacement surgery.

Abstract: A mobile bearing unicondylar tibial knee prosthesis includes a tibial base plate and a tibial articular surface component. The inferior surface of the articular surface component engages the superior surface of the base plate in sliding relationship. The tibial articular surface and a stop on the tibial base plate define a tab and groove engagement between them such that the tibial articular surface component is permitted to slide anteriorly-posteriorly on the tibial base plate while movement of the tibial articular surface component superiorly away from the base plate is restricted.

Abstract: An adjustable resection guide is provided for guiding cutting of the tibia and/or femur during knee replacement surgery.

Abstract: A method of resecting a proximal tibia and distal femur for implanting a partial knee prosthesis uses a resecting kit which includes multiple spacers, each of which has a different spacing dimension. A surgeon selects the appropriate spacer with the amount of correction desired to align the patient's leg and installs the spacer with the spacing dimension between the distal femur and proximal tibia which is to receive the partial knee prosthesis. The spacers have projecting stems, upon which a resector is installed. The resector is then aligned with the axis selected by the surgeon according to known methods, and is pinned to the femur and proximal tibia. A distal femoral cut is then made in the femur after which the resector is removed while leaving at least two of the pins in place, the pins being headless pins. A second resector is then installed on the pins to effect the required cut of the tibia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cut block for cutting the femur and tibia during knee replacement surgery.

Abstract: A provisional component for use with differently sized first and second prosthetic orthopedic components. The provisional component has a configuration which is substantially similar to the first prosthetic component and has a predefined correspondence to the second prosthetic component. The provisional component is mounted on a bone to assess the fit of the first prosthetic component. The provisional component includes a referencing element for defining a reference point on the bone if the fit of the provisional component indicates that the second prosthetic component should be used. An instrument guide is aligned with the reference point and used to properly position a surgical instrument to prepare the bone to receive the second prosthetic component. The provisional and prosthetic components may all be femoral components which have an articulating surface defining a single condylar-shaped projection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia.

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