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Tibial preparation apparatus and method

  • US 5,704,941 A
  • Filed: 11/03/1995
  • Issued: 01/06/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An improvement in an apparatus used in connection with the implant of a prosthetic knee implant wherein the proximal tibia of a tibia is prepared for resection at a selected resection level for the reception of a tibial component of the prosthetic knee implant, the proximal tibia having a tibial eminence, the improvement comprising:

  • an external alignment shaft including an upper segment and a lower segment located along a common alignment axis, the upper segment being selectively movable along the alignment axis relative to the lower segment and having an exposed upper end;

    a head at the exposed upper end of the upper segment, the head extending rearwardly for placement over the tibial eminence when the alignment shaft is located forward of the tibia;

    anchoring means on the head for anchoring the head to the proximal tibia with the alignment shaft located forward of the tibia;

    clamping means on the alignment shaft for clamping the upper segment and the lower segment of the alignment shaft against movement relative to one another subsequent to anchoring of the head to the proximal tibia;

    alignment means for aligning the alignment shaft relative to the tibia subsequent to anchoring the head to the proximal tibia;

    a tibial resection guide having coupling means for placement over the exposed upper end of the upper segment of the alignment shaft, from above the exposed upper end, to engage the tibial resection guide with the upper segment and enable movement of the tibial resection guide downwardly, over the exposed upper end, along the upper segment, subsequent to anchoring the head to the proximal tibia;

    a stylus assembly having attachment means for attaching the stylus assembly to the tibial resection guide for movement with the tibial resection guide along the upper segment, the stylus assembly including a stylus engageable with the proximal tibia to locate the tibial resection guide at a resection location wherein the tibial resection guide is located for guiding resection at the selected resection level;

    the coupling means of the tibial resection guide including securing means for selectively securing the tibial resection guide against movement along the upper segment when the tibial resection guide is located at the resection location; and

    affixation means for affixing the tibial resection guide to the proximal tibia when the tibial resection guide is located at the resection location;

    the securing means of the coupling means of the tibial resection guide being selectively releasable for releasing the securement between the tibial resection guide and the upper segment of the alignment shaft, subsequent to affixation of the tibial resection guide to the proximal tibia, and the clamping means of the alignment shaft being selectively releasable for releasing the upper segment of the alignment shaft for movement relative to the lower segment, segment, whereby the tibial resection guide can be independently connected to the upper segment of the alignment shaft while the head is anchored to the proximal tibia and the upper and lower segments of the alignment shaft are clamped together, and can be independently disconnected from the upper segment of the alignment shaft, subsequent to the affixation of the tibial resection guide, to enable withdrawal of the upper segment from the tibial resection guide and provide uninhibited access to the tibial resection guide for accomplishing resection at the selected resection level.

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