Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for cutting a bone comprising: pattern means including a planar contact face, the pattern means positionable alongside a surface of a bone to be cut; cutting path means described in the pattern means, the cutting path means comprising at least two continuous guide surfaces for making non-coplanar surfaces in bone; and cutting means coacting with the cutting path means the cutting means retained by the cutting path means and maintained in a position normal to the planar contact face of the pattern means while cutting said non-coplanar surfaces in said bone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for cutting a bone comprising: pattern means including a planar contact face, the pattern means positionable alongside a surface of a bone to be cut; cutting path means described in the pattern means, the cutting path means comprising at least two continuous guide surfaces for making non-coplanar surfaces in bone; and cutting means coacting with the cutting path means the cutting means retained by the cutting path means and maintained in a position normal to the planar contact face of the pattern means while cutting said non-coplanar surfaces in said bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means traverses the cutting path means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means is continuously moved along the cutting path means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting path means comprises more than two continuous, non-coplanar guide surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means comprises a form cutter having a geometry radially concentric about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pattern means comprises opposing pattern plates positionable along sides of a bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pattern means is positionable along a side of a femur at a distal end thereof for preparing a femur for accepting a knee prosthesis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising positioning means for positioning the pattern means with respect to a bone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the pattern means comprises opposing pattern plates positionable along sides of a bone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the pattern plates are positionable to straddle a bone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for cutting a bone comprising the steps of: positioning pattern means alongside a surface of a bone to be cut, the pattern means including a planar contact face, the pattern means including a cutting path having at least two continuous guide surfaces for making non-coplanar surfaces in bone; affixing the pattern means to a bone; interconnecting a cutting means with the pattern means; retaining the cutting means normal to the planar contact face of the pattern means; and traversing the cutting means along the cutting path of the pattern means and maintaining the cutting means normal to the planar contact face of the pattern means to cut non-coplanar surfaces in a bone.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for cutting a bone comprising the steps of: positioning pattern means alongside a surface of a bone to be cut, the pattern means including a planar contact face, the pattern means including a cutting path having at least two continuous guide surfaces for making non-coplanar surfaces in bone; affixing the pattern means to a bone; interconnecting a cutting means with the pattern means; retaining the cutting means normal to the planar contact face of the pattern means; and traversing the cutting means along the cutting path of the pattern means and maintaining the cutting means normal to the planar contact face of the pattern means to cut non-coplanar surfaces in a bone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of manipulating the cutting means to continuously traverse to the cutting path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the pattern means comprises pattern plates and the step of affixing the pattern means to a bone further comprises affixing the pattern plates to opposing sides of a bone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of traversing the cutting means along the cutting path comprises the steps of grasping a handle interconnected with the cutting means and guiding the cutting means along the cutting path by manipulating the handle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 for resecting a femur further comprising the step aligning the pattern means along a side of a distal femur.