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Surgical tools facilitating increased accuracy, speed and simplicity in performing joint arthroplasty

DC
  • US 7,534,263 B2
  • Filed: 12/02/2004
  • Issued: 05/19/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of making a surgical tool, the method comprising:

  • obtaining images data associated with at least a portion of a joint; and

    deriving a substantially uncut cartilage surface associated with the joint from the image data; and

    providing a surgical tool that includes a contact surface for engaging the substantially uncut cartilage surface associated with the joint, the surgical tool further including at least one guide for directing movement of a surgical instrument in preparing an implant site, wherein providing the surgical tool includes;

    shaping the contact surface based on the derived cartilage surface such that the contact surface conforms to and is substantially a negative of the derived cartilage surface; and

    determining position, shape and/or orientation of the at least one guide from the image data, so that changes induced on the implant site by the surgical instrument ensures a desired orientation of an implant.

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