Abstract: A system and method for joint restoration by extracapsular means includes an actuator operable to apply a force to a portion of a bone to effect a change in the joint space geometry. One embodiment of the system includes an actuator operable to apply a cyclic loading to subchondral bone of a femur, wherein loads of a predetermined magnitude are alternately applied and released. Between periods of cyclic loading, rest periods are provided where no load is applied. Over time, the femoral joint surface is remodeled in accordance with the location, direction, magnitude, and frequency of the loading.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau without requiring bone resection. The prosthesis includes a body having a generally elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed surfaces where one of the surfaces is generally concave. The body further includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, where the exterior portion is constructed from a higher modulus material than the interior portion such that the body is at least slightly deformable.

Abstract: A unicompartmental knee prosthesis for implantation in a knee joint between a femoral condyle and a corresponding tibia plateau is provided including a generally elliptical body having opposed femoral and tibial face, the body having an anterior end and a posterior end. A keel is provided on the tibial face having a generally anterior-posterior orientation, the keel having an anterior end and a posterior end, where the keel posterior end includes a distal posterior portion that extends farther toward the body posterior end compared with a proximal posterior portion of the keel posterior end.

Abstract: A unicompartmental knee prosthesis for implantation into a knee joint includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of contoured opposed faces including a first face and a second face, the second face including a concave surface. The prosthesis is free of fixation to a permanent location within the knee joint compartment. A peripheral edge extends between the faces and has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body including a cusp comprising a reverse curve downward from to the first face at one of the first and second ends. A first dimension D is defined by the first end and the second end, and a second dimension F is defined by the first side and the second side. A coordinate system origin (CSO) is at an intersection of D and F, the body including a material thickness at the CSO, where the dimension F is from about 0.25 to about 1.5 of the dimension D.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau. The prosthesis is configured to be translatable with respect to the tibial plateau during knee articulation, and includes a body having a generally elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed surfaces including a substantially flat bottom surface and an opposed top surface.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau without requiring bone resection. The prosthesis includes a body having a generally elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed surfaces where one of the surfaces is generally concave. The body further includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, where the exterior portion is constructed from a higher modulus material than the interior portion such that the body is at least slightly deformable.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a body joint, such as a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau, without requiring bone resection. The prosthesis includes a body having a generally elliptical shape in plan and including opposed top and bottom surfaces. The body includes a supporting portion and a coating portion, where the supporting portion has at least one surface at least partially disposed within an interior of the body and the coating portion has at least one surface disposed on an exterior of the body. The supporting portion is constructed from a higher modulus material than the coating portion such that the body is at least slightly deformable.

Abstract: A prosthesis for surgical implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau includes a body including a bottom face, an opposed top face, and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom faces. The body has a first portion and at least one second portion, wherein at least one second portion is configured to store and release at least one active component into the knee joint compartment without degradation of the mechanical function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A system and method for joint restoration by extracapsular means includes an actuator operable to apply a force to a portion of a bone to effect a change 5 in the joint space geometry. One embodiment of the system includes an actuator operable to apply a cyclic loading to subchondral bone of a femur, wherein loads of a predetermined magnitude are alternately applied and released. Between periods of cyclic loading, rest periods are provided where no load is applied. Over time, the femoral joint surface is remodeled in accordance with the location, direction, magnitude, and frequency of the loading.

Abstract: A system and method for shaping an anatomical component having an existing shape and a desired reconstructed shape include an applicator for depositing material on the anatomical component and a controller in communication with the applicator, the controller controlling the deposition of material by the applicator based on a relationship between the applicator and the existing shape of the anatomical component to create the desired reconstructed shape.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint is implantable without requiring bone resection and includes a body free of any means of fixation to a portion of knee joint, anatomy and having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of contoured opposed faces including a convex face and a concave face. A peripheral edge extends between the faces and includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first dimension D is defined by the first end and the second end. A second dimension F is defined by the first side and the second side. The dimension F is from about 0.25 to about 1.5 of the dimension D.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint is implantable without requiring bone resection and includes a body free of any means of fixation to a portion of knee joint, anatomy and having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of contoured opposed faces including a convex face and a concave face. A peripheral edge extends between the faces and includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first dimension D is defined by the first end and the second end. A second dimension F is defined by the first side and the second side. The dimension F is from about 0.25 to about 1.5 of the dimension D.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau which is suitable for patients having large tibial defects. The prosthesis includes a hard body free of fixation within the knee joint compartment. The body has a generally elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed surfaces including a substantially flat bottom surface and an opposed top surface.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau without requiring bone resection. The prosthesis includes a body having a generally elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed surfaces where one of the surfaces is generally concave. The body further includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, where the exterior portion is constructed from a higher modulus material than the interior portion such that the body is at least slightly deformable.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral edge extends between the faces and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends. At least one keel member extends from one of the faces. A first dimension D is defined by the first and second ends. A second dimension F is defined by the first and second sides. The dimension F is from about 0.25 to about 1.5 of the dimension D.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis for unicompartmental implantation into a knee joint includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral face extends between the opposed faces and has first and second opposed sides and first and second opposed ends. At least one aperture extends through the body and extends from a first one of the faces to a second one of the faces.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A peripheral edge of variable thickness extends between the faces and includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The thickness of the peripheral edge at the first side is greater than the thickness of the peripheral edge at the second side, the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis includes a two-piece body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and including a first piece and a second piece. The first piece is a tibial piece including a tibial surface. The second piece is a femoral piece including a femoral surface. The first piece and the second piece are mutually slidably engagable and separable.

Abstract: An implantable knee prosthesis includes a body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed faces. A first one of the faces has a first shape and a second one of the faces has a second shape different from the first shape. A peripheral edge extends at an incline between the first face and the second face.