Abstract: A knee prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial component, and a coupling component interconnecting the femoral component and the tibial component. The tibial component includes ball. The femoral component is configured to move relative to the tibial component. The coupling component defines an internal cavity including a first spherical end portion and a second spherical end portion. The internal cavity is dimensioned to receive the ball of the tibial component. The ball is repositioned between the first spherical end portion and the second spherical end portion of the internal cavity upon movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component.

Abstract: A surgical sagittal saw blade and a complementary cutting guide for use with the blade. The blade includes a bar shaped to be releasably secured in a static position to a complementary surgical sagittal saw. A blade head with teeth is mounted to the bar to pivot. One or more drive links connected to the saw extend to the blade head to pivot the blade head. The cutting guide and blade bar have complementary features for holding the blade bar to above a surface of the cutting guide. The features that hold the blade bar to the cutting guide allow the blade to move over the cutting guide surface while constrain the blade from moving out of the plane immediately above the cutting guide surface.

Abstract: A device and method for aspirating fluid from a body cavity are disclosed herein. The device disclosed utilizes a reservoir in fluid communication with a needle via a tube connected to a pump. The needle is able to displace a desired distance. Further, the aspirator includes a selector switch capable having three positions. In the first position anticoagulant is pumped through the system. In the second position bone marrow is aspirated but the needle is not moved. In the third position the displacement of the needle is controlled as well as the volume in the reservoir. Further, in the third position, the volume in the reservoir and the needle displacement are proportional to one another.

Abstract: A universal coupler for coupling multiple orthopedic instruments is disclosed. The universal coupler includes a body having a boss and an internal bore, a locking shaft having a first portion and a second portion, a trigger including a trigger bore, and a connection portion. The trigger is operable between a first position and a second position, where in the first position the first portion and boss are misaligned and in the second position the first portion and the boss are aligned.

Abstract: A kit including tools or instruments for reaming a series of progressively larger bores in a work piece has as least two reamers of different reamers. Each of the reamers has a plurality of cutting flutes extending radially from a central shaft of the reamer. The flutes of each of the at least two reamers extend at a different radial distance from the shaft with the inner shaft of each reamer having the same diameter. A rotatable guide bushing has a recess for receiving each of the flutes of the at least two reamers with the recesses open to a central bore in the bushing. The central bore has a diameter equal to or greater than the shaft diameters of the reamers and acts as a guide to keep the rotational axis of each reamer aligned with the central axis of the bushing bore. A holder is provided to fix the bushing with respect to the bore in the work piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing the trochlear groove of a patient's femur to receive a prosthesis thereon. In the system, a combination drill-and-alignment guide includes at least a proximal and intermediate section, and preferably also includes a distal section. Guide holes for receiving guide pins therein are located in the proximal and distal sections of the guide. After the guide is positioned using at least one of several visual and/or tactile references in the system, the guides pins are placed through the guide holes of the guide and into bone. The guide may then be removed and replaced by cannulated reamers that are rotated and used to resect a predetermined amount of bone around the guide pins. A prosthesis having at least a portion of an outer surface that substantially matches the trochlear groove of the patient in a pre-degenerated state is then implanted on the resected bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing the trochlear groove of a patient's femur to receive a prosthesis thereon. In the system, a combination drill-and-alignment guide includes at least a proximal and intermediate section, and preferably also includes a distal section. Guide holes for receiving guide pins therein are located in the proximal and distal sections of the guide. After the guide is positioned using at least one of several visual and/or tactile references in the system, the guides pins are placed through the guide holes of the guide and into bone. The guide may then be removed and replaced by cannulated reamers that are rotated and used to resect a predetermined amount of bone around the guide pins. A prosthesis having at least a portion of an outer surface that substantially matches the trochlear groove of the patient in a pre-degenerated state is then implanted on the resected bone.

Abstract: A modular humeral head system includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. A hemispherical socket formed on one end of the inner surface and threads formed on the other end of the inner surface. A cap is attached at the threaded end of the housing. The cap has one or more threaded holes that run from the top surface to bottom surface of the cap. A screw may be inserted in each hole. The modular humeral head system also includes an intermediate piece having a hemispherical head at one end of a tapered shaft. The tapered shaft is inserted in a humeral stem. The hemispherical head and the hemispherical socket form a ball and socket coupling. A trial head may be impacted on the housing. The trial head has one or more holes that are aligned with the screws inserted in the cap.

Abstract: A modular humeral head system includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. A hemispherical socket formed on one end of the inner surface and threads formed on the other end of the inner surface. A cap is attached at the threaded end of the housing. The cap has one or more threaded holes that run from the top surface to bottom surface of the cap. A screw may be inserted in each hole. The modular humeral head system also includes an intermediate piece having a hemispherical head at one end of a tapered shaft. The tapered shaft is inserted in a humeral stem. The hemispherical head and the hemispherical socket form a ball and socket coupling. A trial head may be impacted on the housing. The trial head has one or more holes that are aligned with the screws inserted in the cap.

Abstract: Instruments and a method for preparing the articular surface of the patella to receive a patellar implant are utilized without everting the patella. A medial or lateral parapatellar incision and an anterior midline incision are made adjacent the patella. The patella is clamped with a patella clamp, a hole is drilled from the anterior surface of the patella. A reamer is inserted through the medial or lateral parapatellar incision and is then attached to the end of a drive shaft that extends outwardly beyond the articular surface of the patella. The posterior facing cutting surface of the reamer device is then placed in contact with the articular surface. The drive shaft is then rotated and moved anteriorly causing the cutting surface of the reamer device to remove a desired amount of patellar cartilage and bone to accommodate a patellar component.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a deflectable cutting element extending from the distal end of the instrument. The deflection of the cutting element is controllable based on a user operating a moveable member of the instrument. The deflectable cutting element is normally disposed within a circumferential region defined by the distal end of the instrument. The moveable member can be moved in relation to the instrument to deflect the deflectable cutting element, such that the cutting element is at least partially outside of the circumferential region. The extent that the cutting element is outside of the circumferential region is a function of the position to which the moveable member is moved in relation to the instrument. The instrument further includes direct imaging of the distal end, such that the deflection of the cutting element for selective removal of bone tissue at the distal end of the instrument can be controlled in real-time.

Abstract: Instruments and a method for preparing the articular surface of the patella to receive a patellar implant are utilized without everting the patella. A medial or lateral parapatellar incision and an anterior midline incision are made adjacent the patella. The patella is clamped with a patella clamp, a hole is drilled from the anterior surface of the patella. A reamer is inserted through the medial or lateral parapatellar incision and is then attached to the end of a drive shaft that extends outwardly beyond the articular surface of the patella. The posterior facing cutting surface of the reamer device is then placed in contact with the articular surface. The drive shaft is then rotated and moved anteriorly causing the cutting surface of the reamer device to remove a desired amount of patellar cartilage and bone to accommodate a patellar component.

Abstract: A universal coupler for coupling multiple orthopedic instruments is disclosed. The universal coupler includes a body having a boss and an internal bore, a locking shaft having a first portion and a second portion, a trigger including a trigger bore, and a connection portion. The trigger is operable between a first position and a second position, where in the first position the first portion and boss are misaligned and in the second position the first portion and the boss are aligned.

Abstract: A modular keel or stem for use as a tibial implant has a central stem portion including a tongue-like coupling portion for insertion into a grooved portion in a bone contacting portion of a tibial baseplate. The modular keel or stem may also include a pair of anti-rotation fins or ribs which extend medially and posteriorly on the medial side and laterally and posteriorly on the lateral side. Proximal portions of the ribs or fins may engage receptacles in the bone contacting of the tibial baseplate. A locking element is provided for engaging the keel or stem coupling portion and the baseplate after the coupling portion of the keel is inserted into the groove to prevent the disassembly the keel from the baseplate. In one embodiment, the baseplate is capable of being inserted in a direction offset from the anterior-posterior direction, such as a medial-lateral direction, after the keel has been implanted. A polymeric bearing insert is provided for placement onto the baseplate in a standard manner.

Abstract: An apparatus to aid in cutting a bone during a bone osteotomy procedure, including a frame having a first bushing, a first fixation pin, and an adjustment screw. The apparatus further includes a side plate attached to the frame and moveable with respect thereto, the side plate having a second bushing and a second fixation pin. In addition, the apparatus includes a drill block assembly releasably attached to the side plate and moveable with respect thereto, the drill block having a third bushing and a hinge pin.

Abstract: A universal coupler for coupling multiple orthopedic instruments is disclosed. The universal coupler includes a body having a boss and an internal bore, a locking shaft having a first portion and a second portion, a trigger including a trigger bore, and a connection portion. The trigger is operable between a first position and a second position, where in the first position the first portion and boss are misaligned and in the second position the first portion and the boss are aligned.

Abstract: A method of preparing a knee joint for receiving a unicondylar knee implant includes preparing a first seating surface at a proximal end of a tibia, and providing a combination bur template and spacer block, the bur template having an upper end, a lower end and a curved surface extending between the upper and lower ends thereof that is adapted to conform to a femoral condyle of a femur and the spacer block extending from the lower end of the bur template and having top and bottom surfaces. The method includes flexing the knee joint so that the prepared first seating surface at the proximal end of the tibia opposes a posterior region of the femoral condyle and inserting the combination bur template and spacer block into the knee joint so that the top surface of the spacer block engages the posterior region of the femoral condyle and the bottom surface of the spacer block engages the first seating surface at the proximal end of the tibia.

Abstract: A locking intramedullary alignment jig for use in bone resection, especially for the proximal tibial has an axially extending intramedullary rod for insertion into the medullary canal of the tibia. A slidable anchoring block is mounted on the rod for movement along the rod in the axial direction, which on the tibia is the proximal-distal direction. The anchoring block has a pivot point at one end thereof and a tooth portion at a second end thereof. A first rotating body is pivotally coupled to the pivot point on the anchoring block for rotation about a first axis. The rotating body includes a toothed locking member for releasable locking engagement with the toothed portion the anchoring block. A second rotating body, including a bone resection guide is connected to the first rotating body. Movement of the first and second rotating bodies allow rotation of the resection guide in both the flexion-extension and varus-valgus directions.

Abstract: A detachable cutting tool capture for a cutting block provides a guide surface to convert an open surface block into a slotted block for plying a surgical cutting tool along the surfaces of the guide during a surgical procedure such as a bone resection with a blade. A magnetized catch provides a convenient device for securing the capture and the block together. A triangular cam on the detachable capture in conjunction with a “v” groove in a magnetized lever of the catch permits a pin of the catch to be selectively retracted from or extended into an aperture of the block when the lever is rotated so that when the pin extends, it serves to secure the combined apparatus for cutting. Mating surfaces of the block and capture provide additional structure for supporting the capture with the block to secure them from relative movement.

Abstract: A detachable cutting tool capture for a cutting block provides a guide surface to convert an open surface block into a slotted block for plying a surgical cutting tool along the surfaces of the guide during a surgical procedure such as a bone resection with a blade. A magnetized catch provides a convenient device for securing the capture and the block together. A triangular cam on the detachable capture in conjunction with a “v” groove in a magnetized lever of the catch permits a pin of the catch to be selectively retracted from or extended into an aperture of the block when the lever is rotated so that when the pin extends, it serves to secure the combined apparatus for cutting. Mating surfaces of the block and capture provide additional structure for supporting the capture with the block to secure them from relative movement.