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: A unicondylar femoral component for use in a partial knee arthroplasty. A femoral component of the present invention comprises a post and a flange having a predetermined angle there between whereby a clamping force is placed on a patient's distal femur to hold the implant in place. The implant further comprises a porous layer on its bone contacting surface. In an alternative embodiment the femoral component is attached to the distal femur at least two threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A two-piece cut block for performing a minimally invasive partial or total knee arthroplasty. The present invention comprises a cut block that can be inserted into an incision in two parts then assembled in vivo.

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: Modular bone implants, means of assembly, and their method of use are 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 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: Orthopaedic instrumentation used for preparing a distal end of a femur during an orthopaedic revision surgery includes a cutting guide block with a medial side, a lateral side and an anterior cutting guide surface. The medial side and the lateral side each have a notch therein. An anterior flange is removably attached to the cutting guide block and positioned adjacent to the anterior cutting guide surface. The anterior flange includes a pair of arms which are respectively disposed within the medial side notch and the lateral side notch.

Abstract: A notch/chamfer guide has chamfer and trochlear recess cutting slots and a notch, corresponding to the intercondylar box of a femoral implant, with a removable notch slot attachment. With the notch slot attachment assembled to the cutting guide adjacent the notch, blade receiving slots are defined between the notch slot attachment and the inside walls of the notch. The slots provide control to the saw blade to prevent the blade from angling away from the notch walls and making imprecise cuts. The notch slot attachment is removable to allow easy access to the notch area so that a manual instrument such as an osteotome can be used for final removal of the notch bone and to facilitate the use of an oscillating saw in the chamfer slots of the guide. A U-shaped notch is provided for cutting a trochlear recess that will lie behind the anterior portion of the implanted knee component to receive the backside of the patellar track of the implant.

Abstract: A set of instruments and a surgical technique facilitate precise orientation of the femoral implant. Precision is aided by decoupling the determination of A/P placement, valgus angle, and external rotation into three discrete steps. In this way, a surgeon's full concentration can be directed to each element of placement and fine adjustments can readily be made to each. An Epicondylar Guide is configured to ease referencing external rotation from the epicondyles. The narrow elongated guide is easily alignable with the epicondyles when it is placed on the flat distal cut. A Posterior Reference/Rotation Guide can be attached to the Epicondylar Guide to check the rotation relative to the intact posterior condyles to confirm the epicondylar setting. A slot in the guide guides a saw blade to cut a corresponding slot in the distal femur. An A/P Cutting Guide has a fin that fits in the slot cut in the distal femur.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant assembly 1 including a securing member or screw 10 and sealing washer 20 assembled thereto. The assembly 1 further includes a base member 30 with a hole 31 therein for receiving the screw 10 and washer 20. The screw 10 includes an enlarged head 11 with an arcuate undersurface 14 with a groove surrounding head 11 for receiving the sealing washer 20 therein. The screw hole 31 includes a complementary arcuate surface to enable screw 10 to be inserted in a selectively variable angled orientation with respect to the screw hole 31 while the washer 20 provides a seal between the head 11 of screw 10 and the base member 30. The assembly 1 may further include an additional member 40 over the hole 31 and screw 10 and washer 20, such that this layer 40 generates wear debris. The sealing washer 20 provides a barrier to the advancement of the wear debris or particulate matter beyond the sealing washer 20.

Abstract: An orthopaedic implant assembly I including a securing member or screw 10 and sealing washer 20 assembled thereto. The assembly 1 further includes a base member 30 with a hole 31 therein for receiving the screw 10 and washer 20. The screw 10 includes an enlarged head 11 with an arcuate undersurface 14 with a groove surrounding head 11 for receiving the sealing washer 20 therein. The screw hole 31 includes a complementary arcuate surface to enable screw 10 to be inserted in a selectively variable angled orientation with respect to the screw hole 31 while the washer 20 provides a seal between the head 11 of screw 10 and the base member 30. The assembly 1 may further include an additional member 40 over the hole 31 and screw 10 and washer 20, such that this layer 40 generates wear debris. The sealing washer 20 provides a barrier to the advancement of the wear debris or particulate matter beyond the sealing washer 20.

Abstract: A prosthetic mobile bearing knee 10 including a femoral implant 12 having condyle sections 22 attached to a femur 14 and a tibial tray implant 16 having a plateau 38 attached to a tibia 18. The tibial tray implant 16 has a pair of spaced apart, concavely curved plateau bearing surfaces 40 for cooperation and sliding with convexly curved surfaces 33 on a tibial bearing 20. The tibial tray plateau bearing surfaces 40 are shaped to create a gradually increasing resistance to sliding and rotational movement of the tibial bearing 20. The tibial bearing 20 that interfits between the femoral and tibial tray implants is constructed in one or two portions.

Abstract: A two piece bone screw having a separate head and shaft adapted for slidable engagement relative to one another. The head and shaft include a plurality of teeth which mutually engage to permit the head to shift relative to the shaft in only one direction. Therefore, under load, the head is shifted downwardly along the shaft to shorten the length of the screw in a ratcheting manner.

Abstract: This invention comprises a prosthetic implant having a metal base with a layer of metallic wire screen bonded to the upper surface of the base, and further having a polyethylene portion molded about the upper surface of the base. The polyethylene portion penetrates the porous openings in the screen to enhance the securement of the polyethylene portion to the base. The screen is fully encapsulated between the metal base and the polyethylene portion. The base further includes a plurality of notches spaced around the peripheral edge. The screen layer overhangs over at least a portion of the notches. In addition, the lower surface of the base includes a porous metallic layer providing an exposed porous surface. The construction of the screen layer on the upper surface of the base is different from the construction of the porous layer on the lower surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant which includes a top surface and an undersurface oppositely located therefrom. The undersurface includes a raised peripheral rim, a plurality of raised islands, and at least one raised rail all arranged in a pattern to create a textured undersurface. The raised portions are undercut. The arrangement of the raised portions is designed so that the bone cement which is used to secure the implant to the bone cell interlock securely to the undersurface to resist potential subsequent loosening of the implant.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for locking or securing a bearing insert to the base of a prosthetic implant. The prosthetic implant is for replacement of a portion of natural bone at a point of articulation. The implant includes a locking mechanism which enables the bearing insert to be removably secured to the base support. The locking mechanism includes a resilient locking clip which is predisposed on one side of either the bearing insert or the base support such that when the bearing insert and base support are assembled together, the clip extends between both the insert and the support to secure the two components together. To insert and/or remove the bearing insert from the support, the clip is caused to substantially fully recede into the component in which it is predisposed. The method of securing the insert to the base includes inserting a lip extending from one side of one of the components into a corresponding cavity in the other component.