Abstract: An artificial ligament is provided having an elongate body and two ends, with a loop being provided at least one of the ends and a loop liner being provided within the loop. A kit of artificial ligaments is also provided with each ligament in the kit having a different fixed length. Also provided are methods for determining a length of artificial ligament to be used within a prosthetic knee joint, selecting a ligament from a range or kit of ligaments, and implanting a prosthetic knee joint assembly comprising an artificial ligament.

Abstract: A ligament assembly (2) comprising a resilient element (20) connected to a bone anchor (4) and a ligament (18), the resilient element (20) acting m a cantilever and resisting toads transmitted between the bone anchor (4) and the ligament (18) by virtue of the resistance to bending of the resilient element. The ligament (18) may comprise an artificial ligament (18) which is adapted to replace a human or animal ligament. The resilient element (20) may comprise a spiral spring and may act as a biasing element/shock absorber operatively coupled to the artificial ligament (18) to control the effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18). Consequently, the resilient element (20) enables an effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18) to be achieved that more closely approximates the stiffness of a natural ligament.

Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibia tray 1006.

Abstract: A ligament assembly (2) comprising a resilient element (20) connected to a bone anchor (4) and a ligament (18), the resilient element (20) acting m a cantilever and resisting toads transmitted between the bone anchor (4) and the ligament (18) by virtue of the resistance to bending of the resilient element. The ligament (18) may comprise an artificial ligament (18) which is adapted to replace a human or animal ligament. The resilient element (20) may comprise a spiral spring and may act as a biasing element/shock absorber operatively coupled to the artificial ligament (18) to control the effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18). Consequently, the resilient element (20) enables an effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18) to be achieved that more closely approximates the stiffness of a natural ligament.

Abstract: A ligament balancer for a knee is disclosed that includes a first guide portion having a first guide hole extending there through, and a second guide portion having a second guide hole extending there through, the first and second guide portions being moveable with respect to each other along a movement axis, the balancer being adapted such that, in use, the movement axis is substantially parallel to the anterior/posterior axis of a distal femoral surface. Also disclosed is a kit of parts that includes the ligament balancer and a drill guide for a knee, the drill guide includes first and second connected arms, each arm comprising at least two guide openings extending there through, the guide openings being spaced longitudinally along each arm, longitudinal axes of the first and second arms intersecting at a predetermined angle. Also disclosed is a method of attaching a cutting block to a distal femoral surface as part of a knee replacement procedure.

Abstract: A rotary mill is disclosed comprising a body portion (4) having a milling surface (10) and a central bore (20) extending along an axis of rotation (18) of the body portion (4); and a guide portion (6) having a guide body (22) and a guide peg (24) extending from the guide body (22), the guide peg (24) operable to be received in the central bore (20) of the body portion (4), the guide body (22) having at least one alignment feature (28, 30) which is the same as that of a prosthesis component.

Abstract: A rotary mill is disclosed comprising a body portion (4) having a milling surface (10) and a central bore (20) extending along an axis of rotation (18) of the body portion (4); and a guide portion (6) having a guide body (22) and a guide peg (24) extending from the guide body (22), the guide peg (24) operable to be received in the central bore (20) of the body portion (4), the guide body (22) having at least one alignment feature (28, 30) which is the same as that of a prosthesis component.

Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibia tray 1006.

Abstract: A prosthesis (100, 200) comprising a bone attachment component (106) having one or more fixation structures (124, 224), wherein the prosthesis is configured to be selectively convertible between a mobile bearing prosthesis, in which a barrier (120) is secured to the bone attachment component (106) using the fixation structures, and a constrained bearing prosthesis, in which a bearing component (204) is secured to the bone attachment component (106) using the fixation structures (124, 224).

Abstract: A unicondylar resurfacing femoral component including a metallic base member and a polymeric articulation member. The metallic base member includes a main body and a retention member extending from the main body configured to be secured within a condyle of a femur.

Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibia tray 1006.

Abstract: A guide tool (100) for guiding resection of a bone piece, comprising a body (102), a burr guide opening (130) extending through the body (102) and defining a burr resection surface, and a saw guide opening (120) extending through the body (102) and defining a saw resection surface, the burr guide opening (130) and the saw guide opening (120) being aligned such that the burr resection surface and the saw resection surface intersect, defining a bone piece resection surface.

Abstract: A unicondylar resurfacing femoral component including a metallic base member and a polymeric articulation member. The metallic base member includes a main body and a retention member extending from the main body configured to be secured within a condyle of a femur. The polymeric articulation member is coupled to the main body of the metallic base member and includes an articulation surface configured to articulate directly against a planar surface of a metallic tibial component.

Abstract: A prosthetic assembly is provided. The prosthetic assembly comprises: a tibial tray having a medial retaining bracket, a lateral retaining bracket and a substantially centrally disposed boss, a medial bearing, a lateral bearing and a retention clip having a pair or arms which engage opposite sides of the boss and trap the medial lateral bearings, against the medial and lateral retaining brackets, respectively. A method of securing bearing components to a prosthetic assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A bearing for a total or partial joint replacement prosthesis: the bearing having a body and a reinforcing element which strengthens the bearing and which forms an attachment member, and/or the bearing being formed at least partially from polymeric or composite material the bearing comprising a lower modulus portion and a higher modulus portion, one portion of the bearing being at least partially encased by the other portion of the bearing. Also provided is a method for of forming the bearing, and a total or partial joint replacement prosthesis comprising the hearing.

Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibia tray 1006.

Abstract: A rotary mill (2) comprising a body portion (4) having a milling surface (10) for milling a first bone, a guide portion (6) having a guide body (22), and inter-engageable guide formations (20, 24) formed on the body portion (4) and guide portion (6), the guide body (22) having a projection (7) which is adapted to hold a second bone (11) away from the rotary mill during the milling operation.

Abstract: A ligament assembly (2) comprising a resilient element (20) connected to a bone anchor (4) and a ligament (18), the resilient element (20) acting m a cantilever and resisting toads transmitted between the bone anchor (4) and the ligament (18) by virtue of the resistance to bending of the resilient element. The ligament (18) may comprise an artificial ligament (18) which is adapted to replace a human or animal ligament. The resilient element (20) may comprise a spiral spring and may act as a biasing element/shock absorber operatively coupled to the artificial ligament (18) to control the effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18). Consequently, the resilient element (20) enables an effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18) to be achieved that more closely approximates the stiffness of a natural ligament.

Abstract: A ligament assembly comprising a first ligament anchor (9) connected to a second ligament anchor (14) by a ligament (18) a resilient element (40) being associated with the first ligament anchor (9) and a ligament tension adjuster (44, 50) being associated with the second ligament anchor (14). The resilient element (40) may be disposed within the first ligament anchor (9) and the ligament tension adjuster (44, 50) may be disposed within the second ligament anchor (14).

Abstract: A surgical impactor (2) for inserting a prosthetic implant (26) into a bone, the surgical impactor (2) comprising: a movable retaining means (8) for releasably connecting the implant (26) to the surgical impactor (2), wherein the movable retaining means (8) has a first position in which the implant (26) is connected to the surgical impactor (2) and a second position in which the implant (26) is not connected to the surgical impactor (2); and a mechanism (14, 16) for moving the movable retaining means (8) between the first and second positions, wherein the movable retaining means (8) and the mechanism (14, 16) are removable from the surgical impactor (2).