Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Surgical instrumentation comprising, in combination: (a) a first bracket defining a generally U-shaped structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur bone and an elongated central opening appointed to expose a selected area of the resected femur, including a curved track for guiding a first shaping tool along a predetermined path for controlled shaping of a curved patellar groove in a portion of the selected area exposed through the opening; (b) a second bracket including a base presenting a distally-facing surface and means for supporting the base in releasable engagement with the track, including a bore extending through the base in a direction generally parallel to the long axis of the femur to guide a second shaping tool in forming a relatively deep recess in the femur for accommodating an intercondylar stabilizing housing of a knee implant; and (c) means for accurately aligning the bore relative to the opening while forming the recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrumentation of claim 1 wherein the bore further comprises a cylindrical aperture having a pair of tangentially-formed slots extending along the length of the aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrumentation of claim 2 wherein the first shaping tool further comprises an end mill.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrumentation of claim 3 wherein the bore has a stop and the end mill has a shoulder which bottoms-out in the stop, controlling the depth of the recess being thereby formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The instrumentation of claim 3 wherein the second shaping tool further comprises a punch having a generally U-shaped cross-section which corresponds to that of the slotted bore and is received therein to cut away the remaining bone for the housing recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrumentation of claim 5 wherein the punch further comprises a sharpened U-shaped edge which bottoms-out a common proximal distance into the femur with the end mill.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The instrumentation of claim 1 wherein the track further comprises a pair of ledges extending along the edges of the elongated opening of the first bracket, the support means including a pair of legs extending from the base of the second bracket on opposed sides of the opening and terminating in a pair of feet having contoured proximal surfaces which engage the ledges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The instrumentation of claim 1 wherein the alignment means further comprises a pair of attachment pegs extending distally from the first bracket and engaging a cooperating slot formed in the second bracket which is oriented in a lateral-medial direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A method of implanting a condylar prosthesis of the type having an intercondylar stabilizing housing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing the instrumentation of claim 1, seating the first bracket thereof on the distal aspect of a resected femur and moving the first shaping tool along the curved track to form a patellar groove in a selected ,area thereof; (b) withdrawing the first shaping tool, leaving the first bracket seated on the femur; (c) seating the second bracket securely on the curved track so that the bore of the second bracket is accurately aligned with the opening of the first bracket; and (d) moving a second shaping tool through the bore to form a recess accommodating the intercondylar-stabilizing housing of the implant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: providing an end mill as the first shaping tool and moving the end mill through the bore to form a hole in the femur; providing a pair of tangential slots in the bore which extending the length thereof; providing a punch with a generally U-shaped cross-section and moving the punch through the slotted bore to contact the bottom of the hole and form the recess to accommodate the housing of the implant.