Methods and apparatus for orthopedic implant preparation systems

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for systems for preparing musculoskeletal structures to receive an orthopedic implant.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 799,325 filed Mar. 5, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 261,528, filed Mar. 3, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,064, which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 892,286, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,354, which was a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 649,465, filed May 17, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,803, which was a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 603,582, filed Feb. 20, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,827, which was a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 300,379, filed Sep. 2, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,139, dated May 7, 1996, and which was also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 479,363, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,272, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 342,143, filed Nov. 18, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,3...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for replacing knee joints with a curvilinear implant. The method involves using a positioning apparatus to locate the bone and create a pattern apparatus that matches the geometry of the bone. The pattern apparatus is then attached to the bone and adjusted as needed. A cutting apparatus is then used to remove material from the bone. The curvilinear implant design reduces the amount of material removed from the bone and increases the resistance to failure under fatigue or impact loading. The apparatus includes a positioning apparatus, a pattern apparatus, a cutting apparatus, and a milling bit. The method and apparatus can be used in total knee replacement procedures and can also be used in other applications where resecting material from bones is necessary."

Problems solved by technology

Past efforts have not been successful in consistently and / or properly locating and orienting distal femoral resections in a quick and efficient manner.

Due to their use of this sub-optimal cutting tool, the instrumentation systems all possess certain limitations and liabilities.

This kind of error is further compounded by the “tolerance stacking,” inherent in the use of multiple alignment guides and cutting guides.

Another error inherent in these systems further adding to mal-alignment is deflection of the oscillating sawblade during the cutting process.

The use of an oscillating sawblade is very skill intensive as the blade will also follow the path of least resistance through the bone and deflect in a manner creating variations in the cut surfaces which further contribute to prosthesis mal-alignment as well as poor fit between the prosthesis and the resection surfaces.

Despite the fact that the oscillating saw has been used in TKA for more than 30 years, orthopedic salespeople still report incidences where poor cuts result in significant gaps in the fit between the implant and the bone.

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