Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes a base block, an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument configured to be inserted into a medullary canal of a patient's femur, an adaptor, and a modular cutting block. The base cutting block includes a slot, and the adaptor is positioned in the slot. The adaptor includes a mounting bracket engaged with the base plate, and a fastener coupled to the intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument. The modular cutting block is configured to be secured to the base block.

Abstract: A method of surgically preparing a distal end of a femur for implantation of a femoral prosthetic component includes positioning a base cutting block and an intramedullary adaptor on the distal end of the femur such that a first end of the intramedullary adaptor is received in the medullary canal of the femur and the intramedullary adaptor is secured to the base cutting block, attaching a first modular cutting block to an anterior side of the base cutting block, resecting a first portion of the distal end of the femur using a cutting guide defined in the first modular cutting block, the cutting guide of the first modular cutting block, and resecting a second portion of the distal end of the femur using a base cutting guide defined in the base cutting block.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes a system handle configured to clamp a broach and femoral stem trial assembly. The system handle includes a clamp lever and a release lever both pivotally coupled to the system handle, and a leaf spring connecting the clamp lever and the release lever. When the release lever is moved from an unclamped position to a clamped position, the leaf spring is put in tension, and the clamp lever engages a flange of the broach, securing the broach to the system handle. Methods of assembling the system handle are described and claimed.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes an instrument handle configured to clamp a broach and femoral stem trial assembly. A depth stop is configured to removably couple to the instrument handle. When the broach and femoral stem trial are advanced into a medullary canal of a patient's femur, a substantially planar proximal surface of the depth stop is configured to engage the distal surface of the femur, determining the depth of the broach in the medullary canal. The proximal surface of the depth stop is parallel to the joint line, defining an oblique angle to the anatomical axis of the femur. The depth stop may be attached to the instrument handle at a number of positions to control the depth of the broach. The assembly may include a spacer plate removably coupled to the depth stop that distalizes the broach in the medullary canal.

Abstract: A method of surgically preparing a distal end of a femur for implantation of a femoral prosthetic component includes positioning a base cutting block and an intramedullary adaptor on the distal end of the femur such that a first end of the intramedullary adaptor is received in the medullary canal of the femur and the intramedullary adaptor is secured to the base cutting block, attaching a first modular cutting block to an anterior side of the base cutting block, resecting a first portion of the distal end of the femur using a cutting guide defined in the first modular cutting block, the cutting guide of the first modular cutting block, and resecting a second portion of the distal end of the femur using a base cutting guide defined in the base cutting block.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes a base block, an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument configured to be inserted into a medullary canal of a patient's femur, an adaptor, and a modular cutting block. The base cutting block includes a slot, and the adaptor is positioned in the slot. The adaptor includes a mounting bracket engaged with the base plate, and a fastener coupled to the intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument. The modular cutting block is configured to be secured to the base block.

Abstract: A method for performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a femur includes attaching a proximal end of an intramedullary adaptor to an intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument, securing a distal end of an intramedullary adaptor to a base cutting block, inserting the intramedullary orthopaedic surgical instrument into a medullary canal using the base cutting block, and positioning the base cutting block on a distal end of the femur.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument for positioning an acetabular prosthetic component in a patient's surgically-prepared acetabulum includes a surgical tool configured to be coupled to the acetabular prosthetic component, and a gravity-based position indicator removably coupled to the surgical tool. The position indicator includes a first marking indicating a first position of the acetabular prosthetic component, and a second marking indicating a second position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support system has a support frame supported by three arms. Each arm has a plurality of ball and socket members strung in series along a cable. The arms are also connected to bases mountable to the patient's limb on the proximal and distal sides of the joint. Actuators are provided for each arm to change the tension in the cables to change the stiffness of each arm. The support system can be part of a surgical instrument system that includes a plurality of resection guides mountable to the support frame.

Abstract: An intraoperative leg stabilizing system has a platform with a slidable brace received in a longitudinal groove. The slidable brace supports the patient's foot. The platform also has an outrigger that pivots about a base in the platform. The outrigger can pivot up to a desired orientation. The longitudinal position of the slidable brace and the orientation of the outrigger can be fixed through locking mechanisms. The system includes a support belt that can be wrapped around the patient's thigh and then connected to the outrigger. The combination of components allows the patient's leg to be stabilized in a desired position and degree of flexion during knee arthroplasty, and to be easily released when desired for evaluation of the patient's leg in extension.

Abstract: A patellar resection tool has first and second gripping members adapted for relative movement between a closed position in which the patella can be held between the gripping members and an open position in which the patella can be released. The tool also has first and second handle members connected to the first and second gripping members respectively, for moving the gripping members between the open and closed positions. The first and second handle members are constrained for relative movement in a first plane and the first and second gripping members are constrained for relative movement in a second plane which is not parallel to the first plane. This allows the tool to be used in a minimally invasive surgical technique in which a patella is everted by an angle less than 90° without obstructing access to the patella.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support system has a support frame supported by three arms. Each arm has a plurality of ball and socket members strung in series along a cable. The arms are also connected to bases mountable to the patient's limb on the proximal and distal sides of the joint. Actuators are provided for each arm to change the tension in the cables to change the stiffness of each arm. The support system can be part of a surgical instrument system that includes a plurality of resection guides mountable to the support frame.

Abstract: An intraoperative leg stabilizing system has a platform with a slidable brace received in a longitudinal groove. The slidable brace supports the patient's foot. The platform also has an outrigger that pivots about a base in the platform. The outrigger can pivot up to a desired orientation. The longitudinal position of the slidable brace and the orientation of the outrigger can be fixed through locking mechanisms. The system includes a support belt that can be wrapped around the patient's thigh and then connected to the outrigger. The combination of components allows the patient's leg to be stabilized in a desired position and degree of flexion during knee arthroplasty, and to be easily released when desired for evaluation of the patient's leg in extension.

Abstract: A valve seal for a butterfly valve comprises a U-shaped annular seating member disposed in an annular slot in the valve body and a retaining ring for holding the seating member in place. The seating member cross-section comprises two legs and a bight portion connecting them. A first one of the legs is captured between the retaining ring and valve body to hold the seating member in the slot and enable limited rotational movement of the seating member. A radially inwardly projecting extension on the bight terminates in an annular sealing surface that cooperates with the valve disc. The seating member divides the slot into first and second axial sides in fluid pressure communication with the valve chamber. The seal also comprises an annular open-helical back-up member disposed in an annular cavity formed in the slot by the legs and bight portion of the seating member. The annular cavity is in fluid pressure communication with the second axial side of the slot.

Abstract: A butterfly valve is disposed in a valve body for sealing engagement with a resilient seat ring disposed in a tapered groove defined by the valve body and a retaining ring. A metallic back-up ring is disposed between two legs of the seat ring to support a sealing portion thereof when the valve is closed. Flanges on the legs retain the seat ring together with the backup ring in the groove. Parallel walls at the bottom of the groove insure seat ring and back-up ring retention. An "O" ring is disposed between the back-up ring, the flanges and the groove bottom and pressurized fluid passageways are provided to produce a two-way pressure assist for sealing.

Abstract: A valve seal mechanism for use in pressurized fluid systems subject to fire risk, the seal having a soft seat to provide essentially zero leakage at normal operating temperatures and a backup hard metal seating surface capable of holding leakage to extremely low rates in the event of temperatures high enough to destroy the soft seat material. The seal mechanism is in the form of a hard metal seal ring adapted to fit within an undercut circumferential groove in a valve seat. The metal seal ring has a central inner circumferential rib adapted to extend through the groove opening for mating engagement with a sealing surface on the circumference of a valve disc. The rib of the metal seal ring itself has a circumferential undercut groove into which is tightly fitted a seal ring of material softer than the metal of the seal ring, the soft seal ring protruding beyond the adjacent inner surface of the rib to provide a primary valve seat surface.