Abstract: A guide for cutting a bone comprising an anterior portion and a distal portion orientated at about a right angle to the anterior portion. The distal portion includes a guiding side, a distal surface at the guiding side, a box-cut shaped opening defined by the guiding side, a plurality of first cutting surfaces disposed at the guiding side at an acute angle relative to the distal surface of the guiding side operable to guide a cutting device to the bone to form chamfer cuts in the bone, and a second cutting surface disposed at the guiding side at least about a right angle to the distal surface operable to guide a cutting device to the bone to form a posterior cut in the bone.

Abstract: A surgical kit includes a patient-specific alignment guide having a three-dimensional engagement surface custom-made by computer imaging to conform to a corresponding portion of a patient's tibial bone. The patient-specific alignment guide defines an elongated planar slot for guiding a blade. The planar slot is oriented at a selected angle and at a selected position relative to an anatomic axis of the patient when the engagement surface engages the corresponding portion of the tibial bone. The selected angle and selected position are determined during a pre-operative planning stage.

Abstract: Etendue maintaining polarization switching occurs, according to various embodiments, with a mirror that quickly transitions between two positions. Light having uniform polarization is transmitted to the mirror. Light reflected off of the mirror in one of the two positions has its polarization changed, whereas light reflected off of the mirror in the other of the two positions has its polarization maintained. Thereafter, the polarization-changed light and the polarization-maintained light easily may be recombined in an entendue-maintaining manner. Because the recombined light includes two different polarization states, stereoscopic images may be generated.

Abstract: Various assemblies for replacing at least a proximal portion of a tibia are provided. One assembly includes a tibial tray including a superior bearing engaging surface and an inferior bone engaging surface and having a truncated posterior region; a bearing including an articulating surface, a tray mating surface, and an overhang. The tray mating surface of the bearing is in mating engagement with the inferior bone engaging surface of the tibial tray such that the overhang of the bearing extend beyond the tibial tray truncated posterior region. Related surgical methods are also provided.

Abstract: A femoral sizer. The femoral sizer includes a stylus arm, and a stylus finger coupled to the stylus arm and movable relative to the stylus arm between a first configuration for insertion under soft tissue of a femur and a second configuration for sizing the femur.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a selected portion of the anatomy is disclosed. Also disclosed is an exemplary method and apparatus for performing a procedure. The procedure can be minimally or less invasive.

Abstract: A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.

Abstract: A guide for cutting a bone comprising an anterior portion and a distal portion orientated at about a right angle to the anterior portion. The distal portion includes a guiding side, a distal surface at the guiding side, a box-cut shaped opening defined by the guiding side, a plurality of first cutting surfaces disposed at the guiding side at an acute angle relative to the distal surface of the guiding side operable to guide a cutting device to the bone to form chamfer cuts in the bone, and a second cutting surface disposed at the guiding side at at least about a right angle to the distal surface operable to guide a cutting device to the bone to form a posterior cut in the bone.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing a knee joint between a femur and a tibia can include a femoral component having a first condylar portion, a second condylar portion, a first sidewall and a second sidewall that collectively comprise a first hinge portion. A tibial component can have a first engagement portion formed thereon. A bearing can have an articulating inferior surface adapted to articulate along the bearing. The bearing can have an opening. A yoke can have an inferior portion and superior portion, the superior portion having an axle that comprises a second hinge portion. The inferior portion can have a second engagement portion and be configured to at least partially pass through the opening. The femoral component is operable to rotate relative to the tibial component about a superior/inferior axis a first rotational distance until the first and second engagement portions engage each other and inhibit further rotation.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant manufacturing method. The method includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a specific patient, the surgical plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating at least one resection plane, communicating the surgical plan to a surgeon of the patient, and receiving approval of the surgical plan and the resection plane by the surgeon. The method also includes providing automated osteophyte/protrusion removal control for surgeon manipulation, receiving a modified three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating an osteophyte/protrusion removal and a recommendation for a corresponding selected orthopedic implant from the surgeon, and requesting manufacture of the selected orthopedic implant.

Abstract: A stereoscopic digital image projector includes (a) a plurality of light modulation assemblies, each comprising: (i) at least one solid-state light source energizable to provide illumination having a first polarization axis; (ii) a polarization rotator disposed in the path of the polarized illumination from the solid-state light source(s) and actuable to controllably rotate the polarization axis from the solid-state light source(s) to a second polarized axis; (iii) a micro-electromechanical spatial light modulator in the path of the polarized illumination and energizable to modulate the polarized illumination to form a first modulated light from illumination of the first polarization state and to form a second modulated light from illumination of the second polarization state; and (b) a synchronizing means to temporally control the polarization rotation to match the appropriate image data on the spatial light modulator; and (c) projection optics for directing the first and second modulated light toward a disp

Abstract: An acetabular system includes an acetabular guide having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface made to conform to an acetabular rim surface around an acetabulum of a patient in accordance with a three-dimensional image of the acetabulum of the patient. The acetabular guide includes an aperture having an inner surface oriented at selected anteversion and abduction angles relative to the first surface for guiding an acetabular implant into the acetabulum at the selected anteversion and abduction angles.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant manufacturing method. The method includes preparing a pre-operative surgical plan for a specific patient, the surgical plan including a three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating at least one resection plane, communicating the surgical plan to a surgeon of the patient, and receiving approval of the surgical plan and the resection plane by the surgeon. The method also includes providing automated osteophyte/protrusion removal control for surgeon manipulation, receiving a modified three-dimensional image of a patient's joint indicating an osteophyte/protrusion removal and a recommendation for a corresponding selected orthopedic implant from the surgeon, and requesting manufacture of the selected orthopedic implant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular femoral sizing guide which facilitates the selection and rotational orientation of a femoral prosthetic for a resected femur. The femoral sizing guide has a base which is coupled to the resected femur. An extension portion which is configured to have a pair of feet which are coupled to the posterior surface of the resected femur is rotatably coupled to the base portion. A superstructure having a pair of drilling guides and a stylus is slidably coupled to the base.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a digital image projector, the illumination apparatus has a plurality of solid-state laser arrays, each laser array with one or more rows of laser. A light combiner has an output optical axis and a plurality of light-redirecting prisms arranged in a stack. Each light-redirecting prism has at least one contact surface that extends parallel to the output optical axis and is in optical contact with an adjacent prism in the stack and a light redirecting facet that is disposed at an oblique angle to the at least one contact surface.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a tibial tray and a method for making the same. According to one example, a substrate having a superior surface can be formed. Porous metal material can be attached onto the superior surface of the substrate. Selected areas of the substrate can be removed to form first features of the tibial tray. Selected areas of the polymer portion can be removed to form second features of the tibial tray.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis including a femoral component for attachment to a femur. The femoral component includes an anterior portion, first and second condylar portions extending from the anterior portion and having first and second bearing surfaces, the first and second condylar portions having first and second posterior ends, and a third condylar portion defined between the first and second condylar portions and extending anteriorly beyond the first and second posterior ends.

Abstract: A modular knee prosthesis includes a femoral stem having a proximal end portion. A femoral component includes a first engagement portion defined thereon wherein the femoral stem is selectively attachable to the first engagement portion of the femoral component. A connecting member includes a first end selectively attachable to the first engagement portion of the femoral component and includes a second engagement portion defined on a second end wherein the femoral stem is selectively attachable to the second engagement portion of the connecting member.

Abstract: A patellar implant for a knee joint prosthesis including a femoral component and a tibial assembly having a post. The patellar implant includes an anterior anchoring surface, and a posterior surface articulating with the femoral component. The posterior surface has an articulating portion and a non-articulating portion, and the non-articulating portion defines a depression that substantially prevents impingement of the patellar implant on the post during flexion.

Abstract: An assembly and method for providing a less invasive resection of various bone portions. Generally, the assembly includes a positioning rod and a reamer that may be moved relative to the positioning rod with a guiding portion. The method allows for use of the assembly through a substantially small incision to reduce trauma to the patient during the resection procedure and decrease recovery time.