Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A slotted patella resection guide and stylus used in the preparation of the human patella to accept a patella prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty. The guide includes jaw members for gripping bone, the jaw members including a plurality of calibrated and marked steps (slots) located at a different fixed predetermined height above the desired resection level. Each slot accepts the stylus which may be at least temporarily secured therein. After determining the amount of bone to resect, the stylus is temporarily secured in the appropriate slot (marked as being calibrated to yield the amount of resection desired); and the guide is then clamped onto the patella at the location indicated by the guide/stylus combination, with the stylus resting on the patella in the area where its thickness was measured to establish the depth of cut. After the guide is clamped in position, a sagittal saw is inserted therein to actually perform the resection. During resection, the stylus may be removed from the guide to enhance visibility. The jaws of the guide include a saw capture slot which defines the plane of resection and accepts the saw blade to provide greater control of the cut during the operation. A saw blade insertion guide is also integrated into the resection guide to ease the process of inserting the blade into the capture slot and enhance safety characteristics of the instrument.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim