Abstract: A method and apparatus for arthroscopic unicompartmental knee surgery which include a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component is installed in a trough in the femoral condyle formed by using a template, a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters. The template is aligned with the curvature of the femoral condyle, the two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the femur, cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to make holes in the femur, and the remaining hourglass shaped bone is removed with osteotomy pliers to form the trough. A tibial socket for the tibial component is formed in a retrograde manner.

Abstract: An orthopaedic prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The tibial bearing and the femoral component are configured to promote outward axial rotation of the femoral component with respect to the tibial component during knee flexion.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device (1) for the mobile connection of a first and a second bony segment (4, 5) of an organic device for cooperating with or substituting a natural articulation comprising a first working surface (9) related to the first cooperating segment (4) with a second working surface (10) related to the second bony segment (5) in order to constrain (guide) the relative motion between the said bony segments (4, 5); the first and the second working surface (9, 10) are respectively practically shaped as the axodes of the relative motion of a first and a second link of a linkage practically equivalent to the natural articulation; in particular the first and the second link are corresponding, in the linkage, to the first and the second bony segment (4, 5).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for knee arthroplasty, including implants, positioning and alignment guides, cutting guides, cutting tools and techniques for the femur and/or tibia.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint includes: (a) a femoral member comprising rigid material with a convex, wear-resistant femoral contact surface including a convex ridge; (b) a tibial assembly including: (i) at least one cup comprising rigid material with a body and a rim substantially thicker than the body defining a wear-resistant cup contact surface; (ii) a rigid base; and (iii) a spring support interconnecting the cup and the base, the spring support elastically deflectable permitting controlled pivoting of the at least one cup; (c) wherein the cup contact surface bears against the femoral contact surface, transferring axial and lateral loads between the cup and femoral member, while allowing pivoting between the cup and femoral member; and (d) wherein the at least one cup allows the rim to deform elastically, permitting the cup contact surface to conform in an irregular shape to the femoral contact surface, when the knee joint is loaded.

Abstract: An implant for bone re-surfacing in a joint, the implant having a bearing platform having a front surface which forms a bearing surface and a back surface, and securing apparatus projecting from the back surface, the securing apparatus having a locking surface arranged to bear against an undercut surface of the bone to secure the implant against the bone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial meniscus part for a knee-joint prosthesis that has on an upper side at least one femoral joint surface for the movable mounting of an artificial, natural or machined condyle of a femur, wherein the at least one femoral joint surface is configured in the form of a depression facing away from the meniscus part wherein the depression has an anterior and a posterior end region and a width of the depression has a minimum between the anterior and the posterior end region. An improved meniscus part set, an improved knee-joint prosthesis and an improved knee-joint prosthesis set are further proposed.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis system for total knee replacement of a patient has a plurality of distinctly-sized fixed tibial components, each of which has a fixed platform defining a first, bone covering profile and a plurality of distinctly-sized mobile tibial components, each of which has a mobile platform defining a second, bone covering profile. The first and second, bone covering profiles are approximately the same for any one of the plurality of distinctly-sized fixed tibial components and a correspondingly-sized one of the plurality of distinctly-sized mobile tibial components.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis system for total knee replacement procedures includes a plurality of distinctly-sized femoral components, a plurality of distinctly-sized fixed tibial components, a plurality of distinctly-sized mobile tibial components, a plurality of fixed inserts, and a plurality of mobile inserts. Each of the mobile inserts is sized and shaped such that each may be optimally matched to one of the femoral components and may be used with any one of the mobile tibial components. Each of the fixed inserts is sized and shaped such that each may be optimally matched to one of the femoral components and may be used with any one of the fixed tibial components.

Abstract: A knee replacement system includes a femoral component including a lateral condylar articulating portion and a medial condylar articulating portion, a tibial tray including an upper articulating surface, and a tibial insert including (i) a first articulating portion for articulating with the lateral condylar articulating portion with a first condylar dwell point, (ii) a second articulating portion for articulating with the medial condylar articulating portion with a second condylar dwell point, (iii) a lower articulating surface for articulating with the upper articulating surface, and (iv) a coupling member for coupling with the tibial tray and defining an axis of rotation about which the tibial insert rotates with respect to the tibial tray, the axis of rotation intersecting the upper articulating surface at a location posterior to a dwell axis including the condylar dwell points when the dwell axis is projected onto the upper articulating surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a prosthesis (1) comprising a femoral implant (2) and a tibial implant (3) equipped with anchoring rods (21), each anchoring rod (21) not being integral with the corresponding implant and capable of being connected thereto, the prosthesis (1) including therefor means (16, 20; 36, 34) for assembling each anchoring rod (21) to the corresponding implant (2, 3). The invention is characterized in that the means (16, 20; 36, 34) for assembling each medullar anchoring rod (21) to the corresponding implant (2, 3) are configured to allow a plurality of possible angular positions of that same anchoring rod (21) relative to the implant (2, 3) in translation along an axis inscribed in the frontal plane, that is lateral, or in the sagittal plane, that is antero-posterior, of the implant.

Abstract: Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes.

Abstract: Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a total knee prosthesis. This prosthesis includes a femoral implant (2) including two condyles (8, 9) delimiting between them an intercondylar notch (10), a tibial implant (3) intended to rest on the end of the tibia, and an articular insert (4) interposed between the tibial implant and the femoral implant and the upper surface of which (41) includes two glenoid cavities (18, 19) with an external profile (181, 191) congruent with the external profile (81, 91) of the condyles (7, 8) of the femoral implant and connected together through an interglenoidal connecting surface (20).

Abstract: An artificial joint as an endoprosthesis for a human joint, including a first joint part having two first functional surfaces, a second joint part having two second functional surfaces, the two first and second functional surfaces of each joint part being convex-concave, concave-convex, or convex-convex in a proximal-distal direction, a projection associated with the first joint part; and a recess associated with the second joint part. The recess is configured to engage with the projection so as to determine a relative position of the first and second joint parts in a transverse plane of the joint and to form a stop for a sliding movement of the first and second joint parts relative to each other. The two first functional surfaces are pivotable about a pivot axis with respect to the second functional surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for knee arthroplasty, including implants, positioning and alignment guides, cutting guides, cutting tools and techniques for the femur and/or tibia.

Abstract: An assembly for guiding resection of a femur and tibia of a knee joint in preparation for installing a femoral and tibial knee components. For example, the assembly can include tibial and femoral IM rods to which are connected through a torque bolt that allows controlled adjustment of the distraction of the tibia and femur during cut positioning in a range of flexion angles. Also, the assembly is usable with relatively small, noninvasive approaches to the knee joint by way of relatively narrow, low profile components that attach to tibial and femoral IM rods. Further, the assembly includes several quick-release components to allow fast assembly and disassembly in a surgical setting. Each of these aspects, along with the ability of the assembly to accurately guide initial reference cuts to the tibia and femur, promotes an improved outcome for the patient.

Abstract: Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. Surfaces can be specially shaped using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: A knee implantation system for replacing a portion of a knee joint includes an unicondyler tibial implant configured to replace a portion of a tibia that includes a first member and a second member. The first member has a body portion that includes an articulating surface for replacing only a single superior articulating surface of the tibia. The second member has a textured surface. The second member is removably connected to the body portion and the textured surface is disposed about opposite the articulating surface.

Abstract: A unicondylar femoral prosthetic implant component for implant at a prepared implant site within a natural knee joint provides a femoral articular surface having a convex surface contour configuration along a femoral condylar surface in a restored knee joint. A relief section is located adjacent the anterior end of the femoral condylar surface for placement contiguous with the patella track of the natural knee joint. The relief section has a surface contour configuration dimensioned and configured for providing an essentially continuous and smooth transition between the patella track along the natural bone adjacent the implant site and the femoral condylar surface of the implant component. The surface contour configuration of the relief section preferably is concave.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for restoring individual patient joint kinematic using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrumentation of the invention sculpts the articular surface of a first bone that normally articulates in a predetermined manner with a second bone. The implant system is comprised of implants that provide intraoperative surgical options for articular constraint and facilitate proper alignment and orientation of the joint to restore kinematics as defined by the individual patient anatomy.

Abstract: A knee replacement system, and a method for supplying and implanting a knee replacement system, for enabling natural knee movement in a leg in a patient, including: a medial femoral component having a medial femoral articulating surface with a sagittal plane profile including four medial femoral arcuate portions scaled by a first femoral scaling factor; a lateral femoral component having a lateral femoral articulating surface with a sagittal plane profile including four lateral femoral arcuate portions scaled by a second femoral scaling factor; a medial tibial component having a medial tibial articulating surface that articulates with the medial femoral articulating surface and includes a first raised medial edge that increases in width in an anterior direction; and a lateral tibial component having a lateral tibial articulating surface that articulates with the lateral femoral articulating surface and includes a second raised medial edge that increases in width in the anterior direction.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis includes a femoral component having an anterior side, a posterior side, a pair of laterally spaced condylar portions, and an intercondylar portion joining the condylar portions and including a recess. A cam surface is located adjacent the intercondylar recess on the anterior side of the femoral component and has a saddle shape that is defined by an at least substantially concave first radius of curvature and a convex third radius of curvature that is perpendicular to the concave first radius of curvature. The prosthesis also includes a tibial component including a platform having an upper surface that includes first and second laterally spaced concavities. Each concavity is adapted for receiving one condylar portion of the femoral component. The tibial component has a tibial post for reception in the intercondylar recess of the femoral component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular device for restoring individual joint kinematics using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The modular implants include distinct components that include tethering means. The modular implants provide intraoperative surgical options for articular constraint and facilitate proper alignment and orientation of the joint to restore kinematics as defined by the individual patient anatomy.

Abstract: A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee joint assembly includes a femoral component that engages a femur and at least one bearing that supports articulation of the femoral component thereon. Also, the assembly includes a tibial tray that engages a tibia and that supports the bearing. A ligament link coupling component is included on the femoral component or the tibial tray. The ligament link coupling component is operable to couple to a ligament link to couple the ligament link to the femoral component or the tibial tray. Moreover, the assembly includes an opening included on the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray. The ligament link is received in the opening to bypass the other of the femoral component or the tibial tray to operably couple to the respective one of the femur or the tibia.

Abstract: A total stabilized femoral knee prosthesis is disclosed. Such prosthesis is capable of being formed with varying condyle thicknesses, and may include a stem, stabilizer box and articular surface. Methods of implanting such a prosthesis, as well as of manufacturing same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint is provided in which a flexion is formed at the bearing member and includes a femur joint member which is joined to an end portion of a tibia near a femur; a tibia joint member which is joined to an end portion of a femur near a tibia; and a bearing member between the femur joint member and the tibia joint member, wherein the bearing member includes a groove where a planar front flexion and a planar rear flexion at an upper plane, in order to provide an artificial knee joint movement similar to a real knee movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular device for restoring individual joint kinematics using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The modular implants include distinct components that include interconnection means. The modular implants provide intraoperative surgical options for articular constraint and facilitate proper alignment and orientation of the joint to restore kinematics as defined by the individual patient anatomy.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises a femoral component, a tibial component and a bearing component between the femoral and tibial components. The femoral component defines medial and lateral condyles and an intercondylar box, and the bearing component has respective surfaces matching the condylar surfaces and engaging therewith when the knee is extended over a first range of flexion. The femoral component defines at the area of the intercondylar box a cam and a follower is defined by the bearing component, the cam and following engaging over a second range of flexion.

Abstract: A second enclosure defines the backside superposed on a first enclosure for relative rotation around a rotation axis set perpendicular to the front surface of the first enclosure in an electronic apparatus. First, second and third flat surfaces are defined on the backside of the second enclosure at positions inside the contour of the second enclosure. The receiving pieces receive the first flat surface when the second enclosure is set in the reference attitude. When the second enclosure is set in the lateral attitude by rotation by plus or minus 90 degrees, the second flat surface or the third flat surface is received on the receiving pieces behind the second enclosure. Even if friction resulting from the contact roughens the first, second and third surfaces, the asperity and scratches on the surfaces are hidden behind the second enclosure.

Abstract: Knee prostheses are provided. In some embodiments, the knee prostheses include a body formed of a resilient polyurethane having contact surface area that changes during use according to physical loading factors. In some embodiments, the knee prostheses include a femoral component configured for secure engagement with a lower portion of a femur without penetrating the femur and a tibial component configured for secure engagement with an upper portion of a tibia without penetrating the tibia. In that regard, the tibial component is also configured for moving engagement with the femoral component in some instances.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prosthetic knee implants (100), components (101,102,103,104,105) of prosthetic knee implants, and methods of fixating the components to one another and, especially fixation of the implants to bone.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee includes a femoral component and a tibial component that cooperate to promote joint stability in deep flexion of the knee. An articulating surface of the femoral component transitions from a convex curvature to a concave curvature at a femoral inflection point. An articulating surface of the tibial component transitions from a concave curvature to a convex curvature at a tibial inflection point. The femoral and tibial inflection points cooperate during flexion of the knee so that the concave curvature of the femoral component mates with the convex curvature of the tibial component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular device for restoring individual joint kinematics using minimally invasive surgical procedures. The modular implants include distinct components that include interconnection means and tethering means. The modular implants provide intraoperative surgical options for articular constraint and facilitate proper alignment and orientation of the joint to restore kinematics as defined by the individual patient anatomy.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis kit includes single-winged and double-winged metaphyseal sleeve components. A milling guide and reamers in the kit allow for a cavity to be prepared to receive the metaphyseal sleeve components by pivoting one of the reamers on a portion of the milling guide. The instruments allow the cavity to be aligned with the intramedullary canal regardless of the relative hardness of the bone in the vicinity of the cavity.

Abstract: Various assemblies for replacing at least a proximal portion of a tibia are provided. One assembly includes a tibial tray including a superior bearing engaging surface and an inferior bone engaging surface and having a truncated posterior region; a bearing including an articulating surface, a tray mating surface, and an overhang. The tray mating surface of the bearing is in mating engagement with the inferior bone engaging surface of the tibial tray such that the overhang of the bearing extend beyond the tibial tray truncated posterior region. Related surgical methods are also provided.

Abstract: A ligament and bone conserving prosthesis for total knee resurfacing includes a distal femoral component which resurfaces the weight bearing portions of both femoral condyles and the trochlear groove. The prosthesis also includes implants to independently resurface the medial and lateral tibial plateaus in an inset manner. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for performing the total knee resurfacing utilizing a minimally invasive, bone and ligament conserving manner.

Abstract: A new class of total knee replacement includes a posterior cruciate ligament retaining anterior cruciate ligament substituting apparatus and method. Particular design considerations include: 1) a specific extension surface separate from the flexion surface, 2) rotational control in full extension to create the so-called screw-home mechanism, 3) translation restraints that will substitute for ACL function including a CAM-post or other abutment mechanism while allowing normal PCL function which should improve natural proprioception, 4) a modified femoral component with separate radii of curvature for the flexion and extension arcs of at least one condyle, and 5) a tibial component with slope built into the posterior aspect of its bone contacting surface on both sides of the PCL.

Abstract: A knee replacement system includes a femoral component including a lateral condylar articulating portion and a medial condylar articulating portion, a tibial tray including an upper articulating surface, and a tibial insert including (i) a first articulating portion for articulating with the lateral condylar articulating portion with a first condylar dwell point, (ii) a second articulating portion for articulating with the medial condylar articulating portion with a second condylar dwell point, (iii) a lower articulating surface for articulating with the upper articulating surface, and (iv) a coupling member for coupling with the tibial tray and defining an axis of rotation about which the tibial insert rotates with respect to the tibial tray, the axis of rotation intersecting the upper articulating surface at a location posterior to a dwell axis including the condylar dwell points when the dwell axis is projected onto the upper articulating surface.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The femoral component includes a condyle surface curved in the sagittal plane. The radius of curvature of the condyle surface decreases gradually between early-flexion and mid-flexion. Additionally, in some embodiments, the radius of curvature may be increased during mid-flexion.

Abstract: An orthopaedic prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The tibial bearing and the femoral component are configured to promote outward axial rotation of the femoral component with respect to the tibial component during knee flexion.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The femoral component includes a posterior cam configured to contact a spine of the tibial bearing and a condyle surface curved in the sagittal plane. The radius of curvature of the condyle surface decreases gradually between early-flexion and mid-flexion. Additionally, in some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the condyle surface may be increased during mid-flexion.

Abstract: An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component having a condyle surface. The condyle surface is defined by one or more radii of curvatures, which are controlled to reduce or delay the onset of anterior translation of the femoral component relative to a tibial bearing.

Abstract: A posterior stabilized knee orthopaedic prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The tibial bearing includes a spine having a concave cam surface and a convex cam surface. The femoral component includes a posterior cam having a concave cam surface and a convex cam surface. During flexion, the concave cam surface of the posterior cam contacts the convex cam surface of the spine and the convex cam surface of the posterior cam contacts the concave cam surface of the spine.

Abstract: A knee replacement prosthesis comprising a femoral component and a tibial component that enable anterior-posterior translation of the femur relative to the tibia and enable the tibia to rotate about its longitudinal axis during flexion of the knee. The femoral component connects to the distal end of a resected femur and includes medial and lateral condyles having distal, articulating surfaces, and a patellar flange having a patellar articulating surface. The tibial component connects to the proximal end of a resected tibia and includes a proximal bearing surface with medial and lateral concavities that articulate with the medial and lateral condyles. The articulating surfaces of the condyles and concavities are defined by sections of toroids.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee implant for implantation into a mammal, which accommodates an anterior cruciate ligament substitute to provide stability to the knee implant. The prosthetic knee implant includes a femoral component having a pair of condylar surfaces and a tibial component having a surface portion adapted to slidably engage the femoral component upon rotation of the same. The femoral component further includes a central femoral recess between the condyles providing access to the femur for drilling a channel through which a cruciate ligament substitute may be integrated into the femur. The tibial component further includes a center portion defining an aperture through which the ligament substitute maybe threaded through the tibia and integrated therein, or anchored upon its surface. Also disclosed is a method used to replace the total knee joint in a mammal with the improved prosthetic knee implant of the present invention.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee implant for implantation into a mammal, which accommodates an anterior cruciate ligament substitute to provide stability to the knee implant. The prosthetic knee implant includes a femoral component having a pair of condylar surfaces and a tibial component having a surface portion adapted to slidably engage the femoral component upon rotation of the same. The femoral component further includes a recess between the condyles defining an aperture through the femoral component. The tibial component further includes a center portion defining an aperture through the tibial component substantially at its center. The femoral aperture and the tibial aperture are adapted to receive an anterior cruciate ligament substitute for biasing the mammalian femur and tibia together. Also disclosed is a method used to replace the total knee joint in a mammal with the improved prosthetic knee implant of the present invention.