Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of preparing a bone for artificial joint replacement using a joint prosthesis, the bone having a longitudinal axis, at least one joint surface, an outer cortical bone surface and layer defining an intramedullary cavity, and an inner cancellous bone within the intramedullary cavity, the method comprising the steps of: drilling a pilot hole through a predetermined point on the bone's cortical bone surface into the intramedullary cavity to the inner cancellous bone; providing a centering rod sufficiently rigid as to be capable of being driven through the inner cancellous bone; inserting the centering rod longitudinally into said pilot hole; driving the centering rod through the inner cancellous bone within the intramedullary cavity in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the bone; osteotomizing the joint surface; providing a cannulated tamp for shaping the inner cancellous bone having a longitudinal bore extending through its length for receiving the centering rod in slidable telescoping engagement therein; and driving the cannulated tamp along the centering rod into the inner cancerous bone creating a cavity in the inner cancellous bone suitable for receiving the joint prosthesis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of preparing a bone for artificial joint replacement using a joint prosthesis, the bone having a longitudinal axis, at least one joint surface, an outer cortical bone surface and layer defining an intramedullary cavity, and an inner cancellous bone within the intramedullary cavity, the method comprising the steps of: drilling a pilot hole through a predetermined point on the bone's cortical bone surface into the intramedullary cavity to the inner cancellous bone; providing a centering rod sufficiently rigid as to be capable of being driven through the inner cancellous bone; inserting the centering rod longitudinally into said pilot hole; driving the centering rod through the inner cancellous bone within the intramedullary cavity in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the bone; osteotomizing the joint surface; providing a cannulated tamp for shaping the inner cancellous bone having a longitudinal bore extending through its length for receiving the centering rod in slidable telescoping engagement therein; and driving the cannulated tamp along the centering rod into the inner cancerous bone creating a cavity in the inner cancellous bone suitable for receiving the joint prosthesis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the bone prepared for artificial joint replacement is a femur.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
An orthopedic surgical instrument apparatus for use during an arthroplasty on a bone of a patient, the bone having a joint surface, a native cortical bone outer layer defining an intramedullary cavity, and a native cancellous bone within the intramedullary cavity, the apparatus comprising: a cannulated tamp, adapted for tamping the native cancellous bone of a patient, having a longitudinal bore extending through the length of the cannulated tamp; and a centering rod, having a smooth surface and a uniform diameter ending in a tapering distal tip, the centering rod sufficiently rigid to be driven through the native cancellous bone of a patient and become substantially embedded within the native cancellous bone, the centering rod having an outer diameter substantially equivalent to an inner diameter of the longitudinal bore so as to be telescopically slideably engageable within the longitudinal bore, wherein the centering rod is positionable in the longitudinal bore for guiding the cannulated tamp along the centering rod's longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
An orthopedic surgical instrument apparatus for use during an arthroplasty on a bone of a patient, the bone having a joint surface, a native cortical bone outer layer defining an intramedullary cavity, and a native cancellous bone within the intramedullary cavity, the apparatus comprising: a cannulated tamp, adapted for tamping the native cancellous bone of a patient, having a longitudinal bore extending through the length of the cannulated tamp; and a centering rod, having a smooth surface and a uniform diameter ending in a tapering distal tip, the centering rod sufficiently rigid to be driven through the native cancellous bone of a patient and become substantially embedded within the native cancellous bone, the centering rod having an outer diameter substantially equivalent to an inner diameter of the longitudinal bore so as to be telescopically slideably engageable within the longitudinal bore, wherein the centering rod is positionable in the longitudinal bore for guiding the cannulated tamp along the centering rod's longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the longitudinal bore has a diameter of between about 3 and about 9 millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the cannulated tamp and centering rod include constructing with at least one of the materials selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy and titanium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the longitudinal bore has a diameter of about 6 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the centering rod comprises a rigid shaft having a substantially uniform diameter and terminating in a tapered end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the cannulated tamp has a proximal end and a distal end with the longitudinal bore extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and further comprising a second bore extending from the proximal end diagonally intersecting the longitudinal bore.