Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A femoral trial implant comprising: (a) a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur and an external surface with a shape partially resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur, including an elongagted central opening adapted to expose a selected portion of the anterior distal resected surface of the femur; (b) means adapted for guiding a tool along a predetermined arcuate path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the selected portion of the femur exposed through the opening; and (c) a replaceable insert covering the opening and having a distal surface for fully articulating the external surface of the bracket with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint, without prior removal of the bracket from the resected bone following shaping of the patellar groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A femoral trial implant comprising: (a) a modular bracket defining a structure having an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of a resected femur and an external surface with a shape partially resembling the normal distal condyle of the femur, including an elongagted central opening adapted to expose a selected portion of the anterior distal resected surface of the femur; (b) means adapted for guiding a tool along a predetermined arcuate path for controlled shaping of a patellar groove in the selected portion of the femur exposed through the opening; and (c) a replaceable insert covering the opening and having a distal surface for fully articulating the external surface of the bracket with a proximal aspect of the tibia during interoperative trial reduction of the knee joint, without prior removal of the bracket from the resected bone following shaping of the patellar groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The trial implant of claim 1 wherein the means described in (b) further comprises a track extending along a side of the opening and adapted to contact the tool as the tool moves along the track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The trial implant of claim 2 wherein the track further comprises a pair of rails formed along opposed sides of the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trial implant of claim 1 further comprising means for reversibly interlocking the insert with the guide means of (b).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of implanting a condylar prosthesis onto the distal aspect of a femur comprising the steps of: (a) resecting the distal aspect of the femur to receive a trial implant thereon; (b) providing a trial implant including, in combination, a bracket defining a modular structure with an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of the femur and an external surface formed with a shape partially resembling the normal distal condyle, including an elongated central opening appointed to expose a selected portion of the anterior distal resected surface of the femur to a shaping tool and means for guiding the tool along a predetermined arcuate path, and an insert which is replaceable to cover the opening and allow full articulation of the external surface of the bracket with the proximal aspect of the tibia; (c) moving the shaping tool along the guide means, cutting or abrading a patellar groove in the selected portion of the femur exposed through the opening; (d) placing the insert securely over the opening; and (e) performing a trial reduction of the knee joint, without removing the modular bracket.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of implanting a condylar prosthesis onto the distal aspect of a femur comprising the steps of: (a) resecting the distal aspect of the femur to receive a trial implant thereon; (b) providing a trial implant including, in combination, a bracket defining a modular structure with an internal surface adapted to be seated on the distal aspect of the femur and an external surface formed with a shape partially resembling the normal distal condyle, including an elongated central opening appointed to expose a selected portion of the anterior distal resected surface of the femur to a shaping tool and means for guiding the tool along a predetermined arcuate path, and an insert which is replaceable to cover the opening and allow full articulation of the external surface of the bracket with the proximal aspect of the tibia; (c) moving the shaping tool along the guide means, cutting or abrading a patellar groove in the selected portion of the femur exposed through the opening; (d) placing the insert securely over the opening; and (e) performing a trial reduction of the knee joint, without removing the modular bracket.