Abstract: An orthopaedic implant for implanting between adjacent vertebrae and a spine, includes a generally annular bag; and a hardened polymer with the bag. The method of fusing adjacent vertebrae in a spine includes the steps of forming an access hole in an annulus of a disc between the adjacent vertebrae; removing the nucleus within the disc to form a cavity surrounded by the annulus; placing a generally annular bag within the cavity; filling the bag with a polymer; injecting bone particles into the cavity surrounded by the annular bag; and hardening the polymer.

Abstract: The invention herein describe reduces the concerns associated with the use of intramedullary instrumentation by providing for the reduction of pressure within the medullary canal as the intramedullary instrument is inserted. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment a sleeve having a proximal end connected to a vacuum source is fitted over the intramedullary rod so that as the rod is inserted into the intramedullary canal, the pressure within the canal is reduced to thereby reduce the magnitude of cells released into the blood stream. In order to draw air from the medullary canal, the proximal end of the sleeve includes a gasket which seal against the intramedullary rod causing the air to be drawn only from the distal end of the sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, an air passage is provided directly through the instrument with the exposed end of the instrument being connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A tibial milling guide which incorporates a combination of instruments for producing a planar surface on a portion of the tibia using a milling device. The system includes: an extramedullary alignment guide with a detachable reference guide, an adjustable milling base assembly, a detachable milling template, a sizing gauge, and a milling depth gauge. The reference guide is used to position the alignment guide to the tibia. The reference guide has a T-shaped member which provides a planar reference and a centering reference to the tibial head. The reference guide also allows the surgeon to set the rotational alignment before the alignment guide is secured in place. The adjustable milling base assembly is also detachably connected to the alignment guide. The milling base assembly includes a slide and a shiftable base that allows for lateral adjustments of the template with respect to the articular surface after the alignment guide has been properly secured to the tibia.

Abstract: A paste injector gun, especially adapted for injecting bone cement, has first and second mechanical advantages. In a first embodiment, the first and second mechanical advantages are produced by two fulcrums engageable during different portions of the trigger stroke. In a second embodiment, the first and second mechanical advantages are produced by a fixed fulcrum and a rotatable fulcrum. The first mechanical advantage is greater than the second such that the first facilitates pressurizing the bone cement and the second facilitates high volume dispensing of the bone cement. The injector gun also includes a pair of U-shaped slots. One of the slots is sized to accept a large cement cartridge and the other slot is sized to accept a small cement cartridge. An alternative embodiment provides a hinged cartridge retaining gate for closing the U-shaped slots for positive retention of the cartridge.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of attaching spikes (34) to an orthopaedic implant such as an acetabular cup (22). The acetabular cup (22) is formed with at least one tapered hole (28) therein which extends from an outside diameter (30) to an inside diameter (32) of the cup. At least one spike (34) having a tapered end (38) is pressed into a corresponding tapered hole (28) of the cup (22), whereby an interference fit is created between the tapered end (38) and the tapered hole (28). The spike (34) is metallurgically bonded to the cup (22), such as by electron beam welding and heat treating. The inside diameter (32) of cup (22) is then finished.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intramedullary guide rod assembly for use in orthopaedic surgery for aligning one or more milling or cutting guides. A guide member is pivotally connected to an intramedullary guide rod intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof. An alignment mechanism aligns the guide member to the intramedullary guide rod while a biased locking mechanism prevents alignment changes during application of impact forces.

Abstract: The instrumentation set of this invention assists the surgeon in selecting the proper implant components, in determining the amount of distal bone to resect, and in aligning instrumentation designed to resect the bone. The instrumentation set provides numerous systems for verifying to the surgeon that he has correctly aligned the instruments prior to removing any bone. The set includes a rotational alignment guide, which aids the surgeon in establishing the appropriate rotational alignment for the knee as determined by reference to standard femoral landmarks such as the posterior condyles and epicondyles. The rotational alignment guide includes a slot for guiding a saw blade for removal of the posterior condyles of the femur. The set further includes a tensor designed to tense the knee joint in flexion and extension. The tensor is activated by a torque wrench so that a measured mount of tension force can be applied to the joint.

Abstract: A milling guide for connection to an exposed end of a bone for guiding a milling device along the bone to mill away portions of the bone for accommodation of an orthopaedic implant. The guide includes a plurality of walls positioned in intersecting planes, each of the walls including a slot therein for capturing a milling device. A recess in the travel path of the milling device permits the milling device to rotate from the plane of one wall to that of another wall whereby the milling device is not removed from said milling guide during the cutting of intersecting planes on the bone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an intramedullary guide rod assembly for use in orthopaedic surgery for aligning one or more milling or cutting guides. A guide member is pivotally connected to an intramedullary guide rod intermediate and proximal and distal ends thereof. An alignment mechanism selectively locks the guide member to the intramedullary guide rod between discrete predetermined positions relative the guide rod.

Abstract: The instrumentation set of this invention assists the surgeon in selecting the proper implant components, in determining the amount of distal bone to resect, and in aligning instrumentation designed to resect the bone. The instrumentation set provides numerous systems for verifying to the surgeon that he has correctly aligned the instruments prior to removing any bone.The set includes a rotational alignment guide, which aids the surgeon in establishing the appropriate rotational alignment for the knee as determined by reference to standard femoral landmarks such as the posterior condyles and epicondyles. The rotational alignment guide includes a slot for guiding a saw blade for removal of the posterior condyles of the femur.The set further includes a tensor designed to tense the knee joint in flexion and extension. The tensor is activated by a torque wrench so that a measured amount of tension force can be applied to the joint.

Abstract: The milling instrumentation of this invention provides a milling guide connected to the femur for accommodating a milling device. The milling instrumentation includes an alignment guide which is used by the surgeon to set a femoral bracket or base on the medial and lateral sides of the exposed femur adjacent its distal end. Once the brackets are set, the alignment guide is removed and a milling guide is connected to the bases. The milling guide establishes a series of reference planes each including a slot. A powered milling device having a burr connected thereto is guided by the slots along the reference planes to accurately mill away a portion of the bone. The milling device includes a bobbin-shaped tip which positively engages the slots to ensure that the milling device is held substantially perpendicular to the reference planes of the milling guide.

Abstract: A control lever assembly adapted for use with a powered surgical instrument which prevents the instrument from being inadvertently or accidentally activated. The assembly 10 includes a depressible control lever 20 for controlling the action of the instrument and a second safety lever or latch 30 which engages the trigger pin 6 of instrument only when selectively positioned with respect to control lever 20. Control lever 20 is secured to cutting device 2 by a mounting bracket 12. Safety latch 30 is pivotally carried by control lever 20 for shiftable movement between a safety position and an operational position. In the operational position, safety latch 30 engages trigger pin 6 when control lever 20 is depressed. Safety latch 30 cannot be switched from its safety position to its operational position when control lever 20 is depressed; therefore, the instrument is "locked-out" and cannot be inadvertently activated even when control lever 20 is depressed.