Abstract: Calcar planers for minimally invasive surgery. The calcar planers each generally include a shaft including a power equipment interface for coupling to a power source for imparting rotary motion to the calcar planer. The shaft is connected to a cutting head via a coupling portion. The coupling portion may include a flexible coupling or a flexible segmented portion structure. Alternatively, the coupling portion may include a gear arrangement. In another embodiment, the coupling portion may include a constant velocity universal joint structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip replacement surgery using a T-handle ruler to make measurements inside the surgical site to assist in implanting a prosthetic femoral hip into the intramedullary canal of the natural femur. The ruler has an elongated central body and two measuring ends that are angled with respect to the central body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to retractor instrumentation for total hip arthroplasty, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a first pin coupled to the body, and a second pin coupled to said body, wherein at least a portion of said first and second pins are adapted to penetrate human bone. In a further illustrative embodiment, a retractor instrumentation set comprises a retractor device, a shaft that is adapted to be removably coupled to the retractor device, and an inserter that is adapted to be removably coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a driving bit having one end connectable to an angled driving instrument and another end connectable to a screw-hole plug, dome plug, or bone screw. The driving bit has an elongated body with a length adapted for use in minimally invasive acetabular surgery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a driving instrument and driving guide for aligning and driving bone screws and screw-hole plugs. The instrument includes a working section and a driving section connected together with a joint connector. The joint connector enables the working and driving sections to move to various angles relative to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a posterior retractor having handle and retracting sections. The retracting section retracts soft tissue in the posterior section of the surgical site and includes a paddle with a curved flare and an elongated curved prong extending outwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a posterior retractor having handle and retracting sections. The retracting section retracts soft tissue in the posterior section of the surgical site and includes a paddle with a curved flare and an elongated curved prong extending outwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery to implant an acetabular shell into the acetabulum. An angled acetabular reamer includes a handle section and a reaming section that is disposed at an angle with respect to the handle section. The reaming section is positioned through the minimally invasive incision to ream the acetabulum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a driving instrument and driving guide for aligning and driving bone screws and screw-hole plugs. The instrument includes a working section and a driving section connected together with a joint connector. The joint connector enables the working and driving sections to move to various angles relative to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip replacement surgery using a T-handle ruler to make measurements inside the surgical site to assist in implanting a prosthetic femoral hip into the intramedullary canal of the natural femur. The ruler has an elongated central body and two measuring ends that are angled with respect to the central body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include a driving bit having one end connectable to an angled driving instrument and another end connectable to a screw-hole plug, dome plug, or bone screw. The driving bit has an elongated body with a length adapted for use in minimally invasive acetabular surgery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip surgery for implanting a prosthetic acetabular component into a natural acetabulum. The method and apparatus include an acetabular shell impaction instrument for aligning and impacting the acetabular component into the acetabulum. The impaction instrument includes a curved section to provide access to the acetabulum through a minimally invasive incision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing minimally invasive hip replacement surgery using a femoral head holder and impaction instrument to attach and then impact a femoral head onto a femoral implant embedded into the intramedullary canal of the femur. The instrument includes a driver and holder. The holder captures a femoral head and positions it on the neck of the femoral implant. The driver is then impacted to insert the head onto the implant.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic prosthesis. A prosthetic component includes a wall having a first surface for engaging bone and a second surface. The wall defines a hole therethrough extending from the second surface to the first surface. A plug is removably disposed in the hole. The plug includes a peripheral rim spring-biased radially outwardly in frictional engagement with the sidewall of the hole. The plug is useful for occluding the hole to alleviate the risk of polyethylene wear particles migrating through an unused hole into contact with bone.

Abstract: An acetabular shell has a dome hole at the apex that is occluded at the proximal end thereof by a flexible diaphragm affixed to the shell wall of the acetabular shell. The flexible diaphragm moves between a first position spaced from an open proximal end of the dome hole to a second position engaging the open proximal end of the dome hole. Movement of the diaphragm is effected by seating the acetabular shell against the prepared bone of the acetabulum. The position of the diaphragm can be discerned through an open distal end of the dome hole either visually, or tacitly using a suitable feeler probe. The dome hole remains occluded against passage of debris therethrough regardless of the position of the flexible diaphragm.