Abstract: A knee cutting instrument apparatus includes an elongated alignment rod that can enable a surgeon to define alignment with a patient's long bone. An instrument block body can slide upon the alignment rod between its end portions. A locking member forms a connection with the rod at a selected position along the rod. The locking member includes a cam locking arrangement that rotates about a pivot on the instrument body. The cam has a handle portion or arm that enables a user to rotate the cam and its locking tab about its pivot. Part of the locking cam includes a locking tab having a slot that extends circumferentially about ninety degrees (90.degree.) around the pivot of the cam. The slot is positioned radially in between the pivot and the periphery of the locking member at a locking member bearing surface. The slot provides a closed end portion and an open end portion that communicates with the locking member periphery at a positioned spaced away from the bearing surface.

Abstract: A distal femoral cutting instrument includes an intramedullary rod for referencing the patient's intramedullary canal. A valgus block with a flat reference surface mounts to the intramedullary rod at a bore of the valgus block. The bore of the block has a slant with respect to the flat reference surface on the valgus block. The reference surface defines a line that is normal to the mechanical axis of the patient while the bore of the valgus block tracks the patient's biomechanical axis. A distal femoral cutting block removably attaches to the valgus block and provides a flat cutting guide surface for shaping the patient's distal femur. The valgus block, intramedullary rod, and a stylus (for connecting the valgus block and cutting together) are removed as a unit before shaping of the distal femur. An indexing system includes a gauge having a series of openings corresponding to "anterior" referencing and to "posterior" referencing.

Abstract: A distal femoral cutting instrument includes an intramedullary rod for referencing the patient's intramedullary canal. A valgus block with a flat reference surface mounts to the intramedullary rod at a bore of the valgus block. The bore of the block has a slant with respect to the flat reference surface on the valgus block. The reference surface defines a line that is normal to the mechanical axis of the patient while the bore of the valgus block tracks the patient's biomechanical axis. A distal femoral cutting block removably attaches to the valgus block and provides a flat cutting guide surface for shaping the patient's distal femur. The valgus block, intramedullary rod, and a stylus (for connecting the valgus block and cutting together) are removed as a unit before shaping of the distal femur. An indexing system includes a gauge having a series of openings corresponding to "anterior" referencing and to "posterior" referencing.

Abstract: A keyless drill chuck apparatus includes a tubular body having a longitudinal bore that includes first and second bore sections. The first bore section is of a smaller diameter and is closer to the proximal end portion of the drill, that end portion that is connected to a tool driver, motor or the like. The second bore section is larger diameter portion that is opened ended. A pair of bearing supports are positioned at the two bore sections. Each of the bearing holders carriers a plurality of conically-shaped bearing members. During use, a drill bit can be placed in either of the bore sections and into engagement with one of the selected sets of bearing. During use, different diameter drill bits and thus be placed as desired in the smaller or larger bore section and into engagement with the first or second set of bearing. Scalloped portions of the tool body adjacent each of the bores are provided in a corresponding number to the number of bearings.