Abstract: An intramedullary universal proximal tibial resector guide is disclosed which combines several unique features together to provide an extremely versatile instrument. The inventive guide includes structure allowing anterior-posterior adjustment, medial-lateral adjustment, posterior slope adjustment and vertical adjustment. The design of the precision slot of the present invention best facilitates resection of the proximal tibia beneath the patellar fat pad. The vertical adjustment utilizes a micrometer-type actuator to allow precise adjustment of the appropriate cutting depth. Deep grooves on the intramedullary rod facilitate decompression of the intramedullary fat. The resector cutting head may be removed from the rest of the instrument in an easy one-step procedure leaving the resector cutting head in place ready to receive a surgical resection cutting blade.

Abstract: A tibial resector guide having an angularly adjustable head controlled by a thumb actuated slide mechanism. The head may be positioned in a plurality of predetermined angular orientations in the anterior-posterior plane. The cutting head guide includes angled side walls which permit the guide to have a narrow aperture yet allow the saw blade to completely pass through the tibia. Further, the tibial resector of this invention includes a telescoping rod and a length adjustment mechanism adjacent the head for providing small height adjustments for positioning the head. The length adjustment member includes an enlarged thumb wheel to ease operation. A pinning platform is connected to the adjustment member such that it is shiftable with the adjustment member relative to the guide head. The pinning platform permits the surgeon to pin the upper end of the instrument to the patient's leg preventing movement of the instrument during resection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coated gall-resistant surgical saw blades. One such blade includes longitudinal ribs extending outwardly from the opposed faces thereof which combine to define a total blade thickness greater than the width of the lateral extension of the teeth thereof. The ribs are sized and configured to slidably engage a precision slot in a guide means designed to be used to guide the blade in cutting movements. The interaction between the ribs and the slot prevents engagement of the blade teeth with the slot while reducing the surface area of engagement of the blade with the slot to reduce friction. All disclosed blades are coated with a hard, lubricious, metallic, wear resistant coating which is metallurgically bonded to the metallic surface of a respective blade through a coating process forming a part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coated gall-resistant surgical saw blades. One such blade includes longitudinal ribs extending outwardly from the opposed faces thereof which combine to define a total blade thickness greater than the width of the lateral extension of the teeth thereof. The ribs are sized and configured to slidably engage a precision slot in a guide designed to be used to guide the blade in cutting movements. The interaction between the ribs and the slot prevents engagement of the blade teeth with the slot while reducing the surface area of engagement of the blade with the slot to reduce friction. All disclosed blades are coated with a hard, lubricious, metallic, wear resistant coating which is metallurgically bonded to the metallic surface of a respective blade through a coating process forming a part of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved universal modular prosthetic stem extension which may be installed on a prosthesis in a multiplicity of differing orientations to allow adaptation to a multiplicity of differing patient conditions. The stem includes a coupling mechanism allowing the stem to be rotated to any one of a multiplicity of rotative positions with respect to a prosthetic base, whereupon the stem may be tightened and fixed in position at a desired such orientation. The inventive stem extension is disclosed in conjunction with embodiments of distal femoral, proximal tibial, and proximal femoral prostheses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of performing surgery to resect the patella for the purpose of installation of a patellar prosthesis, along with instruments used in such surgery. The instruments include a combined clamping device and reaming guide which when clamped about the patella provides a guide for reaming the surface thereof as well as a limit stop device designed to prevent reaming the patella too deeply. The instruments also include a reaming device designed to ream an annulus of material from the patella, leaving a central raised portion for fixation of a patellar prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gall-resistant ribbed surgical saw blade. The blade includes longitudinal ribs extending outwardly from the opposed faces thereof which combine to define a local blade thickness greater than the width of the lateral extension of the teeth thereof. The ribs are sized and configured to slidably engage a precision slot in a guide means designed to be used to guide the blade in cutting movements. The interaction between the ribs and the slot prevents engagement of the blade teeth with the slot while reducing the surface area of engagement of the blade with the slot to reduce friction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal modular prosthesis stem extension designed to be attachable on the undersurface of a femoral or tibial standard prosthesis. The stem extension forms a part of a modular system wherein a single stem extension could be selectively attached to any one of a multiplicity of femoral or tibial components, thus reducing the amount of inventory which is necessary to be maintained by a surgeon. In the preferred embodiment of the inventive stem extension, each stem extension is designed with a 6 degree valgus inclination and is reversible for left and right patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and instruments for a resection of the distal femur. The parent application discloses a femoral alignment guide/rod including a plate insertable within a guide slot in the resector which is also used for the guided insertion of a cutting tool. The present invention improves upon this structure by providing an auxiliary attachment member on the resector allowing attachment of a new femoral alignment guide/rod on the resector housing proximal to the cutting tool guide slot, which new guide/rod allows easier access to various resector components. In a further aspect, structure is provided allowing the use of the resector with an intramedullary rod to increase accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a patellar clamp which includes a fixed jaw having a spike centrally disposed on a part spherical surface with this spike being axially aligned with a reciprocating plunger. The plunger is operated by a second handle pivotably disposed with respect to the first handle and spring biasing means between the handles biases them in a direction of separation of the plunger and spike. The inventive patellar clamp is utilized to install a patellar button onto a resected patella.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and instruments for the installation of a patellar button prosthesis. The first instrument consists of a saw guide including gauges integrally attached thereto which aid the surgeon in determining whether the patella has been grasped at the correct location with respect to the anterior and posterior sides thereof, which determine for the surgeon whether adequate bone stock will remain after resection of the patella, and which are chosen to correspond with the particular thickness of the patellar button which is to be installed. The second instrument consists of a drill guide including structure enabling its attachment to one of the jaws of the saw guide so that the saw guide may be retained in position about the patella after resection.

Abstract: A spacer guide for utilization in total knee surgery for establishing size of prosthesis and position of cuts for total knee replacement surgery includes a generally L-shaped base member for attachment to the anterior femoral cortex of a prepared femur with a generally L-shaped adjustable support member adjustably secured to the base support member and a vertically positionable indicator slide having a squaring jig for cooperative engagement and alignment with the cutting head of a tibia alignment and resection guide for squaring the tibia and femur and including indicator means for indicating the position of a tibia plateau cut and indicating the size and positioning for a distal femoral cut for indicating the sizing of both the tibial and femoral prostheses.

Abstract: A system of precision instruments for utilization in knee surgery, particularly for component replacement includes a series of alignment and cutting guides which function to align various necessary cuts of bone structure with respect to the ankle. The system in its preferred arrangement includes a cutting guide head mounted on an elongated, extensible support frame member having a laterally adjustable ankle guide for adjustably aligning the cutting heads for a proper angle of cut with respect to the weight bearing axis through the ankle and the hip joint. A tibial resection guide head with a cutting guide slot is fixed to the upper end of the elongated extensible support frame member and including a traction grip extending outward from the extendable support frame member for application of traction or tension to the collateral ligaments.

Abstract: A collateral ligament retractor includes a first member having a cupped arcuate finger member for insertion into the knee joint, along and partly around the tibal plateau and a curved portion extending from the finger outward around the ligament extending back substantially in the same direction as the finger and including a downwardly extending pivoted elongated arm extending to a position behind the knee above the calf with a second member being of similar design but larger to accommodate the everted patella positioned around the opposite ligament and a tension member in the form of a coil spring connected to the outer end of the arms of the members for biasing the arms toward one another for holding the ligaments in a retracted position.

Abstract: A knee holder for holding a knee into selected positions for surgery includes a base plate for mounting on an operating table, the base plate including a plurality of connecting elements extending along the length of the base plate and a leg brace for strapping to the lower leg of a patient, with pins on the leg brace for engaging selective ones of the connecting elements on the base plate for adjusting the degree of bend in the leg for operation.