Abstract: An instrument system for setting the internal-external rotation of a prosthetic femoral component with respect to a proximal tibia has a bone resection instrument having a planar surface for engaging a planar surface of a resected distal femur. The bone resection instrument system has a cutting guide for guiding a tool for resecting a posterior surface of the distal femur and forming a cylindrical surface on the posterior condyle intersecting the planar surface. The cylindrical surface defined by an axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the resected planar surface. The system includes a trial component having a planar surface for engaging the planar surface of the resected distal femur and having posterior condyles having a cylindrical anteriorly facing surface engagable with the resected cylindrical surface on the posterior condyle.

Abstract: A joint spacer having a body and a series of extensions projecting therefrom is disclosed. A first of the series of extensions may include a curved section for housing a portion of a joint therein (e.g., the intercondylar notch of a knee), and a second and third of the extensions may be configured to abut an opposing portion of the joint. Once inserted, the joint spacer may maintain the spacing between, and the stabilization of, the joint during surgery. A fourth extension may be included with the spacer in which the extension may interact with an insertion-removal instrument. The insertion-removal instrument may include one end having an insertion geometry for use in inserting the spacer into the joint, and an opposing end having a removal geometry for removing the spacer. Related methods for inserting the joint spacer and various alternate joint distraction devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.

Abstract: A cutting block having a base, and a top connected to the base via four walls is disclosed. Each wall has an outwardly facing surface to guide a cutting tool. Each wall also has an attachment hole where a tracker may be attached. The cutting block is floated on the bone using the navigation system to position it at correct locations for the bone resection. After correctly locating the cutting block for each required cut, cutting block is fixed to the bone using pins and the bone resected. Same cutting block is suitable for resection of bone for installation of any size prosthetic device. For certain resections, the rotation angle may be mechanically set and need not be navigated.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant useful in a cementless application is disclosed. The implant may include a curved bone facing surface and one or more pegs or keels. Preferably, the implant is implanted on a bone surface that has been prepared so as to allow for a snap fit between the implant and the bone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for performing total hip arthroplasty with patient-specific guides Pre-operative images of a pelvic region of a patient are taken in order to predefine the structure of the guides and corresponding implants. From the obtained image data an insertional vector for implanting an acetabular implant or component into an acetabulum of the patient is determined, wherein the insertional vector is coaxial with a polar axis of the acetabular component. Also from the obtained image data, a superior surface of the guides and implants can be shaped to match the acetabulum of the patient. A nub portion extending outwardly from the superior surface of the guides and implants is shaped to substantially match the shape of a fovea of the acetabulum. A guide portion of the guides forming a slot has a longitudinal axis coaxial with the determined insertional vector of a corresponding acetabular component.

Abstract: Tools for resecting the femur include an anchoring device, a three-way alignment guide and a six way alignment guide attachable to the anchoring device, a resection guide attachable to the three-way alignment guide and equipped with couplings for trackers, an A-P sizer, a femoral sizing block bushing attachable to the six-way alignment guide, a 4-in-i femoral cutting block, a 5-in-i positional alignment guide attachable to the six-way alignment guide, a pair of diodes, and a 5-in-one cutting block. Methods of utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for resecting a tibia and femur during arthroplasty includes anchoring devices, a three-way alignnment guide attachable to an anchoring device. The alignment guide provides for locating a resection guide in three degrees of freedom, including one translation and two rotations. The resection guide is coupled to a computer navigation system.

Abstract: A long bone axis finder has a shaft extending along an axis and a first and second end. A tip portion is provided for releasable coupling to the shaft first end. A wedge element having an open side is provided for lateral engagement with said shaft. The wedge element is slidable along said shaft in a direction from the second to the first end. The axis finder is inserted into a long bone medullary canal until the tip portion engages a narrower portion of the canal. The wedge portion which is larger than the tip is laterally placed on the shaft and engages a portion of the canal closer to the shaft second end.

Abstract: An instrument system for setting the internal-external rotation of a prosthetic femoral component with respect to a proximal tibia has a bone resection instrument having a planar surface for engaging a planar surface of a resected distal femur. The bone resection instrument system has a cutting guide for guiding a tool for resecting a posterior surface of the distal femur and forming a cylindrical surface on the posterior condyle intersecting the planar surface. The cylindrical surface defined by an axis extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the resected planar surface. The system includes a trial component having a planar surface for engaging the planar surface of the resected distal femur and having posterior condyles having a cylindrical anteriorly facing surface engagable with the resected cylindrical surface on the posterior condyle.

Abstract: A method for setting the internal-external rotational position of a prosthetic femoral component with respect to the tibial comprises: forming a cylindrical surface on the posterior femoral condyles. The cylindrical surface is formed about an axis extending in a proximal distal direction with respect to the femur. A template is placed on the distal femur which has a cylindrical guide surface for engaging the posterior femoral condyles. When placed against a planar resected surface of the distal femur the guide surfaces contact the cylindrically shaped posterior condyles. The template is rotated on the cylindrical guide surface as the knee joint is moved from flexion to extension until the template cylindrical guide surfaces are in a position with respect to the tibial condyle surfaces to properly balance the knee ligaments.

Abstract: A cutting block having a base, and a top connected to the base via four walls is disclosed. Each wall has an outwardly facing surface to guide a cutting tool. Each wall also has an attachment hole where a tracker may be attached. The cutting block is floated on the bone using the navigation system to position it at correct locations for the bone resection. After correctly locating the cutting block for each required cut, cutting block is fixed to the bone using pins and the bone resected. Same cutting block is suitable for resection of bone for installation of any size prosthetic device. For certain resections, the rotation angle may be mechanically set and need not be navigated.

Abstract: A cutting block for resecting a bone, particularly the distal femur, has a body with a first generally planar bone contacting surface to contact the resected distal surface of the femur. The body has a second surface spaced from the bone contacting surface along an axis perpendicular to said generally planar bone contacting surface. The body has a perimeter surface extending between the first and second surfaces, wherein the perimeter surface is at least partially curved with respect to the axis in both a direction generally perpendicular thereto and generally parallel thereto. The perimeter surface may be polished.

Abstract: Tools for resecting the femur include an anchoring device, a three-way alignment guide and a six way alignment guide attachable to the anchoring device, a resection guide attachable to the three-way alignment guide and equipped with couplings for trackers, an A-P sizer, a femoral sizing block bushing attachable to the six-way alignment guide, a 4-in-i femoral cutting block, a 5-in-i positional alignment guide attachable to the six-way alignment guide, a pair of diodes, and a 5-in-one cutting block. Methods of utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Where a prosthetic joint component part has a relatively sharp edge which potentially can contact and thereby irritate or injure soft tissue juxtaposed with the component part at an implant site during articulation of the prosthetic joint, such as a posterior cruciate ligament juxtaposed with a component part of a prosthetic knee, the component part is provided with a deflector located, configured, dimensioned and directed for deflecting the soft tissue away from contact with the sharp edge during articulation of the prosthetic joint.

Abstract: Tools for resecting the femur include an anchoring device, a three-way alignment guide and a six way alignment guide attachable to the anchoring device, a resection guide attachable to the three-way alignment guide and equipped with couplings for trackers, an A-P sizer, a femoral sizing block bushing attachable to the six-way alignment guide, a 4-in-1 femoral cutting block, a 5-in-1 positional alignment guide attachable to the six-way alignment guide, a pair of diodes, and a 5-in-one cutting block. Methods of utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.