Abstract: A system for positioning an element relative to an articular surface. An embodiment of the system may include a first element having a positional reference relative to an articular surface. The system may further include a second element capable of indicating the positional reference of the first element relative to said articular surface. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bone resurfacing. One embodiment includes a method for preparing an implant site in bone, comprising establishing a first working axis extending from said bone; establishing a second working axis extending from said bone, the second working axis is displaced from the first working axis; creating a first socket in the bone by reaming about the first working axis; and creating a second socket in the bone, adjacent the first socket, by reaming about the second working axis.

Abstract: A generic bone implant, or set of standardized implants, is created based on using a guide device to develop an axis normal to an articular surface of bone and collecting only one or two data points. A generic cutting tool is used to cut the bone to a point where a generic implant can be used. Several improved tools relating to the procedure for using such an implant, as well as methods for using implants consistent with the invention are further described, including: single-axis and biaxial drill guide tools and methods, generic single-axis implant methods and devices, generic biaxial implant methods and devices, tools and methods for holding or delivering an implant, removal or revision tools and methods, digital measuring systems and methods, and set of measuring gauges for determining the appropriate implant dimensions.

Abstract: A generic bone implant, or set of standardized implants, is created based on using a guide device to develop an axis normal to an articular surface of bone and collecting only one or two data points. A generic cutting tool is used to cut the bone to a point where a generic implant can be used. Several improved tools relating to the procedure for using such an implant, as well as methods for using implants consistent with the invention are further described, including: single-axis and biaxial drill guide tools and methods, generic single-axis implant methods and devices, generic biaxial implant methods and devices, tools and methods for holding or delivering an implant, removal or revision tools and methods, digital measuring systems and methods, and set of measuring gauges for determining the appropriate implant dimensions.

Abstract: Sheaths for implantable fixation devices and methods of using the sheaths are disclosed. Sheaths have a flexible body with a perforated wall, and an interior of the body is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device. Sheaths include a plurality of flexible or inflexible tubes arranged to form a ring, where the central cavity defined by the ring is sized and shaped to receive the fixation device.

Abstract: A retrograde resection apparatus may include a cutting blade including a slot defined in the cutting blade, a recess defined in at least a portion of the slot, a screw, including a proximal end and a distal end defining a bore therethrough, a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the shaft passes through the bore and the distal end is configured to be received in the recess, and a biasing device configured to bias the shaft against the cutting blade. In addition, the apparatus may include a tether, a first portion of which is affixed to the cutting blade and a second portion of which passes through the bore.

Abstract: An implant comprising a first, second, and third segment wherein the second and third segments partially overlap the first segment and define a load bearing surface comprising an anterior-posterior (AP) curvature including at least two tangential curves of the portion of the articular surface of the femoral condyle, the tangential curves having different radii of curvature. A drill guide comprises a body portion including a first, second and third bushing spaced along the body portion to establish a first, second and third axes, respectively. Each axis may be substantially normal to the articular surface at three different points along a curvature of the articular surface comprising the two tangential curves. A measuring device comprises a housing defining a longitudinally passageway and an outrigger. A guide pin may be received in the longitudinal passageway and a measuring device determines how far the guide pin is in the passageway.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for mapping and measuring the articular surface of a joint (or of any bony surface) and for fabricating a prosthetic device based on this recorded data. In one embodiment, once the defect of the chondral surface has been identified, a guide pin is inserted arthroscopically. A fixation screw is driven into the subchondral bone in relation to a reference axis that is approximately central to the defect, the fixation device also serving to define a tangent point to the surrounding articular surface. A further cylindrical proximal extension of the screw that eventually serves as a fixation element for the surface prosthetic is concealed with a cover or plug. The depth positioning of the cover or plug establishes an origin or reference point for all future measuring, cutting, and prosthetic machining operations. A measuring tool having a static post that establishes the axial location of origin is inserted on the reference axis.

Abstract: An implant is provided for replacing a portion of an articular surface. The implant includes a body portion having a recess. An insert is disposed in the recess. The body portion and insert provide a load bearing surface of the implant, with the load bearing surface including regions of the insert and regions of the body portion. The insert may be formed from a lubricious and shock absorbing material, providing a low friction and shock absorbing region of the load bearing surface.

Abstract: An implant for installation into a portion of an articular surface includes a protrusion configured to cover an un-excised portion of articular surface proximate to the implant. Another implant may form a cavity to allow the un-excised portion of articular surface to remodel over a perimeter edge of the implant. The implant may also include indentations such as grooves to promote articular cartilage remodeling over a portion of the load bearing surface of the implant. An elongated or non-round implant is also provided having two opposing concentric arcuate shaped sides, as well as a method to seat such an implant in an articular surface. A method for seating an implant without cutting articular cartilage is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a return electrode, an active electrode, and an insulating region adjacent to the active electrode. A rasping surface is provided by either the active electrode or the insulating region. Another surgical device includes an adapter configured to couple to a generator and to convert monopolar output from the generator into bipolar output. A method of applying electricity to tissue includes bringing a surgical device into close proximity with tissue and applying electricity to the tissue using the surgical device.

Abstract: A generic bone implant, or set of standardized implants, is created based on using a guide device to develop an axis normal to an articular surface of bone and collecting only one or two data points. A generic cutting tool is used to cut the bone to a point where a generic implant can be used. Several improved tools relating to the procedure for using such an implant, as well as methods for using implants consistent with the invention are further described, including: single-axis and biaxial drill guide tools and methods, generic single-axis implant methods and devices, generic biaxial implant methods and devices, tools and methods for holding or delivering an implant, removal or revision tools and methods, digital measuring systems and methods, and set of measuring gauges for determining the appropriate implant dimensions.

Abstract: An implant for installation into a portion of an articular surface includes a protrusion configured to cover an un-excised portion of articular surface proximate to the implant. Another implant may form a cavity to allow the un-excised portion of articular surface to remodel over a perimeter edge of the implant. The implant may also include indentations such as grooves to promote articular cartilage remodeling over a portion of the load bearing surface of the implant. An elongated or non-round implant is also provided having two opposing concentric arcuate shaped sides, as well as a method to seat such an implant in an articular surface. A method for seating an implant without cutting articular cartilage is also provided.

Abstract: An implant for installation into a portion of an articular surface includes an implant shell component having a proximal load bearing wall with an outer proximal load bearing surface. A peripheral rim extending distally relative to the load bearing wall may provide a bone-facing distal pocket on the shell component. An inner implant component may be received in the bone-facing distal pocket of the implant such that a proximal surface of the inner component is spaced apart from a distal surface of the load bearing wall. The contour of the load bearing surface may be based on an original surface contour of an articular surface, and the load bearing wall of the shell component may be a deflectable wall, so that the load bearing surface can deflect under an-applied load. The space between the load bearing wall and the inner implant may include a compressible fluid such as elastomeric gels.

Abstract: A generic bone implant, or set of standardized implants, is created based on using a guide device to develop an axis normal to an articular surface of bone and collecting only one or two data points. A generic cutting tool is used to cut the bone to a point where a generic implant can be used. Several improved tools relating to the procedure for using such an implant, as well as methods for using implants consistent with the invention are further described, including: single-axis and biaxial drill guide tools and methods, generic single-axis implant methods and devices, generic biaxial implant methods and devices, tools and methods for holding or delivering an implant, removal or revision tools and methods, digital measuring systems and methods, and set of measuring gauges for determining the appropriate implant dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for mapping and measuring the articular surface of a joint (or of any bony surface) and for fabricating a prosthetic device based on this recorded data. In one embodiment, once the defect of the chondral surface has been identified, a guide pin is inserted arthroscopically. A fixation screw is driven into the subchondral bone in relation to a reference axis that is approximately central to the defect, the fixation device also serving to define a tangent point to the surrounding articular surface. A further cylindrical proximal extension of the screw that eventually serves as a fixation element for the surface prosthetic is concealed with a cover or plug. The depth positioning of the cover or plug establishes an origin or reference point for all future measuring, cutting, and prosthetic machining operations. A measuring tool having a static post that establishes the axial location of origin is inserted on the reference axis.

Abstract: An implant for installation into a portion of an articular surface includes a protrusion configured to cover an un-excised portion of articular surface proximate to the implant. Another implant may form a cavity to allow the un-excised portion of articular surface to remodel over a perimeter edge of the implant. The implant may also include indentations such as grooves to promote articular cartilage remodeling over a portion of the load bearing surface of the implant. An elongated or non-round implant is also provided having two opposing concentric arcuate shaped sides, as well as a method to seat such an implant in an articular surface. A method for seating an implant without cutting articular cartilage is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for mapping and measuring the articular surface of a joint (or of any bony surface) and for fabricating a prosthetic device based on this recorded data. In one embodiment, once the defect of the chondral surface has been identified, a guide pin is inserted arthroscopically. A fixation screw is driven into the subchondral bone in relation to a reference axis that is approximately central to the defect, the fixation device also serving to define a tangent point to the surrounding articular surface. A further cylindrical proximal extension of the screw that eventually serves as a fixation element for the surface prosthetic is concealed with a cover or plug. The depth positioning of the cover or plug establishes an origin or reference point for all future measuring, cutting, and prosthetic machining operations. A measuring tool having a static post that establishes the axial location of origin is inserted on the reference axis.

Abstract: A generic bone implant, or set of standardized implants, is created based on using a guide device to develop an axis normal to an articular surface of bone and collecting only one or two data points. A generic cutting tool is used to cut the bone to a point where a generic implant can be used. Several improved tools relating to the procedure for using such an implant, as well as methods for using implants consistent with the invention are further described, including: single-axis and biaxial drill guide tools and methods, generic single-axis implant methods and devices, generic biaxial implant methods and devices, tools and methods for holding or delivering an implant, removal or revision tools and methods, digital measuring systems and methods, and set of measuring gauges for determining the appropriate implant dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods for mapping and measuring the articular surface of a joint (or of any bony surface) and for fabricating a prosthetic device based on this recorded data. In one embodiment, once the defect of the chondral surface has been identified, a guide pin is inserted arthroscopically. A fixation screw is driven into the subchondral bone in relation to a reference axis that is approximately central to the defect, the fixation device also serving to define a tangent point to the surrounding articular surface. A further cylindrical proximal extension of the screw that eventually serves as a fixation element for the surface prosthetic is concealed with a cover or plug. The depth positioning of the cover or plug establishes an origin or reference point for all future measuring, cutting, and prosthetic machining operations. A measuring tool having a static post that establishes the axial location of origin is inserted on the reference axis.