Abstract: A cartilage resurfacing implant is provided for replacing cartilage of an articulating portion of a bone at a skeletal joint having opposed joint surfaces. The cartilage resurfacing implant includes a body having a bearing surface and a bone interface. The bearing surface is able to support articulation with an opposing joint surface.

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

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: This invention provides methods and processes to attach or bond hydrogels to suitable surfaces using irradiation techniques and also provides methods and processes to create crosslinked regions in hydrogel articles using these irradiation techniques. Specifically, lasers at wavelengths tuned to the irradiation absorption bands of hydroxyl groups, carboxylic acid groups or water may be used to attach or bond hydrogels to surfaces such as soft tissue and hydrogel surfaces or to crosslink regions in hydrogel articles.

Abstract: An implant for on a resected articulation surface of a bone includes a tray having a top surface and opposition surface. An opening extends completely through the tray between the top surface and the bone apposition surface. A bearing member is mounted on the top surface of the tray, the bearing member having a top articular surface. Anchor downwarly projects away from the bone apposition surface of the tray, the anchor being adapted to engage the bone and being configured so that the anchor can selective pass completely through the opening of the tray. A fastener connects the anchor to the tray.

Abstract: An implantable attachment device for attaching an end of a ligament to a bone. The attachment device includes a patch formed of a woven material. The patch includes a bone engaging face and a ligament engaging face. The patch is positionable between the bone and the end of the ligament and is adapted to be fastened to a surface of the bone such that the bone engaging face bears against the surface of the bone. The ligament engaging face is adapted to receive a ligament fastener for attaching the end of the ligament to the patch. The device may also include a reinforcing patch positionable atop and attachable to the patch, such that the end of the ligament is positioned between the ligament engaging faces of the patch and the reinforcing patch.

Abstract: A spacer implant designed for placement between the bones of a joint, which includes soft tissue components. The spacer includes a spacer body positionable between the bones and defined by an outer periphery. The spacer also includes at least one tether. Each of the tethers has a first end fixed to the spacer body and a second end extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the spacer body. The second end of each of the tethers is adapted to be fastened to any of the bones or the soft tissue components of the joint.

Abstract: A method for the repair of bone defects which requires only the resection of the defective portion of the bone. After resecting a defective portion of the bone, a formable implant may be inserted through an incision in the skin and placed over the resected portion of the bone. The formable implant may conform to the shape of the resected bone, after which the formable implant may be adjusted or formed to a desired shape. Once a desired shape and location are achieved, a catalyst is employed to harden the formable implant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for preoperatively or intraoperatively determining prosthetic implant selection and placement to achieve acceptable alignment and spacing of anatomical structures affected by the prosthetic implant and to achieve acceptable soft tissue balance proximate the prosthetic implant without requiring trial-and-error selection of implant size and placement during surgery. In one exemplary embodiment, the method and apparatus of the present invention are used to choose appropriate tibial, meniscal and femoral prosthetic components to achieve acceptable alignment, acceptable spacing of the tibia and femur, and acceptable soft tissue balance over a full range of motion of the knee.

Abstract: Modular bone implants include first and second components removably attached to one another. In one embodiment, the components include a rotational alignment mechanism within the junction between the components. In another embodiment, the components include fins on each component that align without touching.

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. An illustrative set of instruments including an A/P sizer and femoral finishing guide 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 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 the 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 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 method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia.

Abstract: A flexible segmented bearing implant includes a body having opposed top and bottom surfaces. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is configured to articulate with an abutting joint component.

Abstract: An implant is provided having a bearing surface joined to a substrate.

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

Abstract: A distal cut guide assembly including an intramedullary rod, an alignment guide extending from the rod at an angle and having a slot, a cut guide body having a rail defining a rail axis, a coupling member slidably coupled to rail, and a handle slidably and pivotally joining coupling member to slot and defining a handle axis. The position of the guide body being adjustable relative to the bone along rail axis and slot and about handle axis. A tibial cut guide assembly including a cut guide support member and a cut guide pivotally attached to the support member. An arthroplastic spacer including a spacer block having an axis of symmetry. The spacer includes a handle having a linear portion aligned with and longitudinally bisected by the axis of symmetry and a curved portion coupling linear portion to block. The curved portion is spaced from the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia.