Abstract: The present invention comprises a set of instruments and a method for their use in preparing a knee joint to receive knee implants. The inventive instruments and method are generally suitable for knee joint surgery. Furthermore, they include features that make them suitable for performing a minimally invasive knee surgery in which a smaller than normal incision is made and oriented to preserve the quadriceps mechanism and protect the suprapatellar pouch. The instruments permit switching from a minimally invasive technique to a standard open technique at any point in the procedure. An illustrative set of instruments for total knee arthroplasty and an associated minimally invasive technique are described.

Abstract: A milling system for use in resecting at least a portion of a joint articulation surface of a bone includes a template having a base with a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and an opening extending therebetween. One or more fasteners are used to removably mount the template on a bone. A guide is movably mounted on the template and projecting across at least a portion of the opening of the template. The guide is selectively movable across at least a portion of the opening of the template. A rotatable mill is mounted on the guide. The mill is selectively movable along at least a portion of the length of the guide.

Abstract: A femoral reference tibial cut guide for cutting the proximal tibia to receive a tibial implant. The cut guide references the femur to determine the appropriate tibial resection.

Abstract: Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a distal tail. In another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a wing or extension portion. In yet another embodiment, a set of femoral trochlea prostheses includes a plurality of prostheses having differing thicknesses. In still another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a porous medium on various portions of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a distal tail. In another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a wing or extension portion. In yet another embodiment, a set of femoral trochlea prostheses includes a plurality of prostheses having differing thicknesses. In still another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a porous medium on various portions of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Modular bone implants, means of assembly, and their method of use are presented.

Abstract: A cartilage implant for replacing a portion of the cartilage adjacent to a skeletal joint. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartilage implant includes a bearing portion and a drape. The bearing portion is configured to replace a portion of the cartilage adjacent to a skeletal joint. In one exemplary embodiment, the bearing portion is formed at least partially from a resilient polymer, such as a PVA hydrogel. The drape may be configured to secure the implant to an adjacent bone. Additionally, the drape may be extended over adjacent tissues and connected to the tissues to hold the implant in place while permitting some anatomic movement of the bearing portion.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a set of instruments and a method for their use in preparing a knee joint to receive knee implants. The inventive instruments and method are generally suitable for knee joint surgery. Furthermore, they include features that make them suitable for performing a minimally invasive knee surgery in which a smaller than normal incision is made and oriented to preserve the quadriceps mechanism and protect the suprapatellar pouch. The instruments permit switching from a minimally invasive technique to a standard open technique at any point in the procedure. An illustrative set of instruments for total knee arthroplasty and an associated minimally invasive technique are described.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a set of instruments and a method for their use in preparing a knee joint to receive knee implants. The inventive instruments and method are generally suitable for knee joint surgery. Furthermore, they include features that make them suitable for performing minimally invasive knee surgery.

Abstract: Various embodiments of orthopaedic implants which optimize the articular geometries of the implants. An exemplary implant may include a plurality of protrusions which provide an articulating surface and which create paths for fluid movement relative to the implant.

Abstract: Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a nonarticulating surface including contoured surfaces and/or planar surfaces. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a bone surface for receiving the prostheses described herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of femoral trochlea prostheses useable in a knee joint. The knee joint includes a patella and a distal femur with a femoral trochlea, or patello-femoral groove. In one embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a distal tail. In another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a wing or extension portion. In yet another embodiment, a set of femoral trochlea prostheses includes a plurality of prostheses having differing thicknesses. In still another embodiment, a femoral trochlea prosthesis includes a porous medium on various portions of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An adapter to provide moveable configurations of securing structures such as fastener apertures or throughbores for fastening a surgical instrument to an anatomical structure, such as a bone. The adapter is connectable to the surgical instrument in a plurality of discrete locations on the surgical instrument, thereby allowing a surgeon to select an optimum fixation location for fastening the surgical instrument to the anatomical structure. The adapter may be cannulated to accommodate a fastener and may be slidably affixed to the surgical instrument while simultaneously providing stable fixation between the surgical instrument and the bone. The adapter may be configured to mate with another adapter having a similar configuration such that multiple fixation locations may be provided to the surgeon. Moreover, a plurality of adapters may be connected to the surgical instrument either directly or indirectly through another adapter to select multiple optimum fixation locations.

Abstract: A patella clamp is provided for clamping a patella. The patella clamp includes a first clamp member engageable with the patella and a second clamp member mountable in opposing relative moving relationship to the first clamp member. The patella clamp may be used to perform a variety of procedures on a patella. In one embodiment, a third clamp member is alternatively mountable in place of the second clamp member to change the function of the patella clamp. The patella clamp optionally further includes a cut guide for guiding a cutter in a cut plane to resect a portion of the patella.

Abstract: A cartilage implant for replacing a portion of the cartilage adjacent to a skeletal joint. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartilage implant includes a bearing portion and a drape. The bearing portion is configured to replace a portion of the cartilage adjacent to a skeletal joint. In one exemplary embodiment, the bearing portion is formed at least partially from a resilient polymer, such as a PVA hydrogel. The drape may be configured to secure the implant to an adjacent bone. Additionally, the drape may be extended over adjacent tissues and connected to the tissues to hold the implant in place while permitting some anatomic movement of the bearing portion.

Abstract: A milling system for use in resecting at least a portion of a joint articulation surface of a bone includes an alignment guide having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface with an opening extending therebetween. Fasteners are used to secure the alignment guide to the bone so that the alignment guide is suspended above the bone. A template is removably mounted to the alignment guide so that a plurality of guide paths extending through template are aligned with the opening in the alignment guide. A mill extends down through the guide path and has a burr on the end thereof for resecting the bone.

Abstract: A cartilage implant for replacing a portion of the cartilage adjacent to a skeletal joint is presented.

Abstract: A method of resecting a proximal tibia and distal femur for implanting a partial knee prosthesis uses a resecting kit which includes multiple spacers, each of which has a different spacing dimension. A surgeon selects the appropriate spacer with the amount of correction desired to align the patient's leg and installs the spacer with the spacing dimension between the distal femur and proximal tibia which is to receive the partial knee prosthesis. The spacers have projecting stems, upon which a resector is installed. The resector is then aligned with the axis selected by the surgeon according to known methods, and is pinned to the femur and proximal tibia. A distal femoral cut is then made in the femur after which the resector is removed while leaving at least two of the pins in place, the pins being headless pins. A second resector is then installed on the pins to effect the required cut of the tibia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer assisted surgery (CAS) system using alternative energy tissue and bone alteration technology. The CAS system utilizes alternative energy technology which is a directed to a surgical instrument including an alteration or cutting tip. The tip may be in contact with the tissue or bone, or, alternatively, the tip may be distant from the tissue or bone and the energy is projected to the desired cut or alteration site. The CAS system recognizes the location of the tip relative to a desired alteration location or area and de-energizes or varies the energy level when the tip moves away from or out of the predetermined alteration location or path. The CAS system provides a method for altering or resecting bone, for example, in preparation for a prosthetic implant, or a method for altering tissue, for example, cauterizing blood vessels or bonding ligaments to bones.

Abstract: A femoral reference tibial cut guide for cutting the proximal tibia to receive a tibial implant. The cut guide references the femur to determine the appropriate tibial resection.