Abstract: Total knee replacement surgery is improved through custom cuts on the distal femur without resorting to expensive computer navigation. The method involves measurements on plain radiographs or CT scans prior to surgery, the amount of bone that would be resected on each knee, medially and laterally on the distal femur. In the preferred embodiments, the predetermined distance is in the range of 8-12 mm, more preferably 10 mm, and the resulting distance from the second line to the apex of the lateral condyle is in the range of 6 to 7 mm. A cutting fixture is provided and used to resect the medial condyle at the predetermined distance and the lateral condyle at the measured resulting distance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are used for severing at least a portion of a lateral retinaculum as part of a lateral release procedure. An elongated guide body has a first, smooth side and second, opposing side having a lengthwise track with a groove. A pushrod having a cutting device is insertable into the track such that the cutting device protrudes from the lengthwise groove, thereby enabling a user to move the pushrod and sever a lateral retinaculum using the cutting device. The cutting device may be a sharp blade or an electrocautery. A method of performing a lateral retinacular release may comprise the steps of inserting the elongated guide body under the skin and subcutaneous fat with the second, opposing side facing a lateral retinaculum; inserting the pushrod into the track of the body; and pushing or pulling the pushrod such that the cutting device severs a lateral retinaculum.

Abstract: Total knee replacement surgery is improved through custom cuts on the distal femur without resorting to expensive computer navigation. The method involves measurements on plain radiographs or CT scans prior to surgery, the amount of bone that would be resected on each knee, medially and laterally on the distal femur. In the preferred embodiments, the predetermined distance is in the range of 8-12 mm, more preferably 10 mm, and the resulting distance from the second line to the apex of the lateral condyle is in the range of 6 to 7 mm. A cutting fixture is provided and used to resect the medial condyle at the predetermined distance and the lateral condyle at the measured resulting distance.

Abstract: An improved uni-compartmental implant has a shaft having a proximal end attached to a head and a distal end, and one or more raised portions spaced apart along the shaft to resist back-out. The length between the head and distal end is preferably less than 50 mm, the distal end of the shaft has a diameter on the order of 2 to 3 mm, the proximal end of the shaft has a diameter on the order of 2 to 4 mm, and the head has a diameter ranging from 4 mm or less to 20 mm or more, making the device suitable for knee arthroscopy and other applications.

Abstract: Total knee replacement surgery is improved through custom cuts on the distal femur without resorting to expensive computer navigation. The method involves measurement, on plain radiographs prior to surgery, the amount of bone that would be resected on each knee, medially and laterally on the distal femur. In the preferred embodiments, the predetermined distance is in the range of 8-10 mm, more preferably 10 mm, and the resulting distance from the second line to the apex of the lateral condyle is in the range of 6 to 7 mm. A cutting fixture is provided and used to resect the medial condyle at the predetermined distance and the lateral condyle at the measured resulting distance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are used for severing at least a portion of a lateral retinaculum as part of a lateral release procedure. An elongated guide body has a first, smooth side and second, opposing side having a lengthwise track with a groove. A pushrod having a cutting device is insertable into the track such that the cutting device protrudes from the lengthwise groove, thereby enabling a user to move the pushrod and sever a lateral retinaculum using the cutting device. The cutting device may be a sharp blade or an electrocautery. A method of performing a lateral retinacular release may comprise the steps of inserting the elongated guide body under the skin and subcutaneous fat with the second, opposing side facing a lateral retinaculum; inserting the pushrod into the track of the body; and pushing or pulling the pushrod such that the cutting device severs a lateral retinaculum.

Abstract: In the repair of bone voids and deficiencies, rather than forming a planar, angled surface that could result in a “slip plane,” an implant features a defined geometric pattern such as a stair-step, which mates with a corresponding stair-step pattern formed on the bone. Screws or alternative fasteners extend through one or more of the stair-step patterns, and into the bone, such that local interface around each fastener is substantially transverse to the axis of the fastener, thereby achieving a set of effective, compression bond. As such, shear stresses that might be associated with an angled, planar fixation are converted to compressive forces, leading to a longer life and a reduced need for revision. Although in the preferred embodiment the plurality of surfaces defines a stair-step having right angles, other geometric patterns are applicable, so long as an irregular defect may be made more regular, and/or compressive forces are used to prevent shear stress.

Abstract: A multi-component attachment system, including a first clamp that attaches to a bed-rail, and a second component which connects to a lighting system or other accessory, allows a sterile drape to go over the bed-rail attachment, while allowing a lamp or other accessory to magnetically attach through the drape, thereby preventing interruption of the sterile field.

Abstract: An improved uni-compartmental implant has a shaft having a proximal end attached to a head and a distal end, and one or more raised portions spaced apart along the shaft to resist back-out. The length between the head and distal end is preferably less than 50 mm, the distal end of the shaft has a diameter on the order of 2 to 3 mm, the proximal end of the shaft has a diameter on the order of 2 to 4 mm, and the head has a diameter ranging from 4 mm or less to 20 mm or more, making the device suitable for knee arthroscopy and other applications. The shaft and/or raised portions may include a bone-ingrowth or bone-ongrowth surface, and the shaft and/or raised portions may be made of a fiber-metal. The head portion is preferably ceramic, though a chrome-cobalt alloy, titanium, or other bio-compatible material may be used. The head portion may have a bi-convex shape, a piano-convex shape, or a concave-convex shape.

Abstract: A multi-component attachment system, including a first clamp that attaches to a bed-rail, and a second component which connects to a lighting system or other accessory, allows a sterile drape to go over the bed-rail attachment, while allowing a lamp or other accessory to magnetically attach through the drape, thereby preventing interruption of the sterile field.

Abstract: In the repair of bone voids and deficiencies, rather than forming a planar, angled surface that could result in a “slip plane,” an implant features a defined geometric pattern such as a stair-step, which mates with a corresponding stair-step pattern formed on the bone. Screws or alternative fasteners extend through one or more of the stair-step patterns, and into the bone, such that local interface around each fastener is substantially transverse to the axis of the fastener, thereby achieving a set of effective, compression bond. As such, shear stresses that might be associated with an angled, planar fixation are converted to compressive forces, leading to a longer life and a reduced need for revision. Although in the preferred embodiment the plurality of surfaces defines a stair-step having right angles, other geometric patterns are applicable, so long as an irregular defect may be made more regular, and/or compressive forces are used to prevent shear stress.

Abstract: An improved uni-compartmental implant has a shaft having a proximal end attached to a head and a distal end, and one or more raised portions spaced apart along the shaft to resist back-out. The length between the head and distal end is preferably less than 50 mm, the distal end of the shaft has a diameter on the order of 2 to 3 mm, the proximal end of the shaft has a diameter on the order of 2 to 4 mm, and the head has a diameter ranging from 4 mm or less to 20 mm or more, making the device suitable for knee arthroscopy and other applications. The shaft and/or raised portions may include a bone-ingrowth or bone-ongrowth surface, and the shaft and/or raised portions may be made of a fiber-metal. The head portion is preferably ceramic, though a chrome-cobalt alloy, titanium, or other bio-compatible material may be used. The head portion may have a bi-convex shape, a plano-convex shape, or a concave-convex shape.

Abstract: Liner, preferably made of polyethylene, specifically designed for re-cementation into an existing ace tabular shell. Whereas existing polyethylene liners have not been designed to be re-cemented, this invention includes various features, particularly on the posterior aspect of the liner, to resist pull-out, minimize rotational torsion, and to ensure proper cement mantle thickness. In the preferred embodiment, the polyethylene liner is disposed within a shell such that the cement locks into features provided on the posterior aspect of the liner which remains in contact with cement.

Abstract: Magnetic force fields are used to control the instability of joint-replacement situations. Prosthetic components according to the invention are fabricated with opposite-polarity magnets on either side of the joint surface, so that an inherent stability is conferred to the joint. The magnets are of sufficient strength so that dislocation or uncoupling of the components would be very difficult, but not impossible. The forces do, however, allow motion between the bearing surfaces, without increasing friction between the joint surfaces. The approach is applicable to various artificial joint situations, including the hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow, knee, and smaller joints.

Abstract: Magnetic force fields are used to control the instability of joint-replacement situations. Prosthetic components according to the invention are fabricated with opposite-polarity magnets on either side of the joint surface, so that an inherent stability is conferred to the joint. The magnets are of sufficient strength so that dislocation or uncoupling of the components would be very difficult, but not impossible. The forces do, however, allow motion between the bearing surfaces, without increasing friction between the joint surfaces. The approach is applicable to various artificial joint situations, including the hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow, knee, and smaller joints. As opposed to pairs of magnets which attract one another, in certain applications the magnets may be arranged so as to repel one another such that the components actually touch little or not at all, but function as they do now.