Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An alignment jig for locating a cutting block or the like to prepare a bone
ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component, wherein the bone ending possesses
medial and lateral epicondyles, the jig comprising a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface an epicondylar alignment assembly coupled to the body for aligning with the
medial and lateral epicondyles so as to hold the body aligned along the epicondylar axis
at said surface an A/P positioning assembly movably extending from the body and being
positionable in contact with the bone to set an A/P position of the body, and a tool guide carried by the body for positioning an instrument to make a
preparatory cut in the bone whereby the instrument is positioned to make the preparatory cut in alignment
relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein said epicondylar alignment
assembly includes clamp arms having engagement prongs for engaging said
epicondyles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An alignment jig according to claim 2, wherein one of said clamp arms includes
a template for visually centering the engagement prongs on a connective tissue bundle
anchored at one of said epicondyles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein one or more elements of said
body, said alignment assembly, said A/P positioning assembly and said tool guide,
includes size graduations keyed to relative position of said elements for movably
adjusting positions of said elements and the body while visually assessing fit of
prosthesis size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein two or more elements of said
body, said alignment assembly, said A/P positioning assembly and said tool guide,
includes size graduations keyed to relative position of said elements for movably
adjusting positions of said elements while visually assessing fit of prosthesis size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein three or more elements from
among said body, said alignment assembly, said A/P positioning assembly and said tool
guide, include size graduations keyed to relative position of said elements for movably
adjusting positions of said elements while visually assessing fit of prosthesis size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein the body moves side to side to
adjust position of a prosthesis in relation to offset of the epicondyles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
An alignment jig for locating a cutting block or the like to prepare a bone
ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component, wherein the bone ending possesses
medial and lateral epicondyles, the jig comprising a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface at least first and second epicondylar engagers mechanically extending from the
body, the engagers being configured to selectively contact and engage opposed
epicondylar regions of the bone and hold the body aligned along the epicondylar axis
at said surface an A/P positioning assembly movably extending from the body and being
positionable in contact with the bone to set an A/P position of the body, and a tool guide carried by the body said body being lockingly movable with respect to the epicondylar engagers and
the A/P positioning assembly to orient and position the body so as to align the tool
guide for forming locator holes in the bone aligned relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for locating a sawcut template or the like to prepare a bone ending
for receiving a prosthetic joint component during installation of a prosthesis, wherein
the bone ending possesses at least some epicondylar connective tissue, the method
comprising the steps of providing a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone
surface and having a structure for positioning a tool to cut a bone alignment feature at
said surface to determine placement of the component on the bone ending, and providing an alignment assembly coupled to the body and alignable to medial
and lateral epicondyles to hold the body in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis, so that the tool is positioned to cut said bone alignment feature in alignment
relative to the epicondylar axis, thereby enhancing soft tissue balance of the installed
prosthesis.