Abstract: A method for aligning a patient implant, the method comprising the steps of: generating a digital implant model of the patient implant; determining a desired alignment of the patient implant based on predetermined alignment data; imaging an operative area of the patient to create patient-specific implant reference data; creating a virtual overlay of the digital implant model in the determined desired alignment relative to the patient-specific implant reference data; and operatively aligning the patient implant using the virtual overlay. A patient implant system to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for aligning a patient implant, the method comprising the steps of: generating a digital implant model of the patient implant; determining a desired alignment of the patient implant based on predetermined alignment data; imaging an operative area of the patient to create patient-specific implant reference data; creating a virtual overlay of the digital implant model in the determined desired alignment relative to the patient-specific implant reference data; and operatively aligning the patient implant using the virtual overlay. A patient implant system to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of pre-operatively determining the suitability of a joint for a surgical corrective procedure, the method comprising the steps of: determining a patient's joint orientation in a plurality of situations; determining a patient kinematic range of the patient joint based on the said joint orientations; comparing the determined patient kinematic range to a preferred kinematic range; and determining that the joint is suitable for a first surgical corrective procedure if the patient kinematic range falls within the preferred kinematic range, else determining that the joint is suitable for a second surgical corrective procedure which is different from the said first surgical corrective procedure. A device for the determination of the patient kinematic range is also provided.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning a cup component of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis includes a shaft, a housing attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least two flange portions carried on the shaft on which the cup component can be fixed, and a unitary spring element disposed about the shaft axis and disposed between the at least two flange portions and the axis of the shaft. The housing includes a base plate and extends from the shaft transversely relative to the shaft axis. The at least two flange portions can move relative to the base plate in a direction transverse to the shaft axis between an in-use position, where at least a portion of each of the at least two flange portions contacts the inner surface of the cup component, and a retracted position where the at least a portion of each of the at least two flange portions is moved towards the shaft axis so as to allow the cup component to be released from the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning a cup component of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis includes a shaft, and a flange located near an end of the shaft on which the cup component can be fixed. The flange extends from the shaft transversely, and can be retracted from an in-use position wherein the flange is received in a groove in the internal surface of the cup component when positioned over the said end of the instrument, and a retracted position in which the flange is withdrawn toward the axis of the shaft from the in-use position, allowing the cup component to be released from the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning a cup component of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis includes a shaft, and a flange located near an end of the shaft on which the cup component can be fixed. The flange extends from the shaft transversely, and can be retracted from an in-use position wherein the flange is received in a groove in the internal surface of the cup component when positioned over the said end of the instrument, and a retracted position in which the flange is withdrawn toward the axis of the shaft from the in-use position, allowing the cup component to be released from the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for preparing bone tissue on the head of a bone which provides the ball component of a ball and socket joint, to receive a re-surfacing prosthesis, comprises a hollow shell which can be fitted around the head to define a space around the head, and a flexible seal component which can form a seal between the shell and the neck of the bone below the head. When bone cement within the shell that is subjected to pressure, leakage of the cement from within the shell is minimised by virtue of the seal between the shell and the neck of the bone provided by the flexible seal component. The instrument can be used in a method which involves the application of positive pressure to the cement in the space around the head of the bone, to force it into pores in the bone.

Abstract: An instrument for use in orthopaedic surgery for location of a reference point relative to a bone surface comprises a plate member (30) having at least two holes (36, 38) in it towards one end for receiving fasteners which can pass through the holes into the bone to fasten the plate member to the bone. A pivot rocker (40) is provided between the said holes, which protrudes from the face of the plate member which faces the bone surface when the plate member is positioned against a bone, and a reference point (44) is provided towards the opposite end of the plate member form the fastening holes which is spaced from the fastening holes in a direction parallel to the line which intersects the holes. The distance between the reference point on the plate member and the surface of the bone can be adjusted by moving the fastener in one of the fastening holes into the bone and moving the fastener in the other of the fastening holes out of the bone.

Abstract: A connector for use in orthopaedic surgery for location of a surgical instrument relative to a reference point, comprises a plate member (30) having a reference point which can be fastened to the bone, and a connector rod (32) for connecting the surgical instrument (56) to the plate member. The connector rod is pivotally connected (44) to the plate member at about the reference point allowing relative pivotal motion between the connector rod and the plate member around at least one axis (46).