Exactech, Inc.

Phil Cripe

Cary M Mauldin

A handling tool for coupling to a cutting guide includes a substantially elongate first end shaped to be grasped by human hand. The tool includes at least two mating tines, disposed at a second end of the tool. The mating tines are biased to move toward each other and are forced apart from each other by a cam portioned therebetween. The mating tines each include a mating means for mating the tool with the cutting guide.

Intramedullary alignment guide tool

A counter-balanced oscillating surgical saw for use in surgical procedures is described which greatly reduces the vibrations caused when the saw blades contact the patient's anatomy. The reduction of vibration is achieved by the present saw which uses two oscillating blades to counter the kinetic energy typically lost when only one blade is used. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes at least two cutting blades mounted on at least two actuator blocks. The actuator blocks are preferably mounted on at least two shafts which extend from the top of the saw handle: a pivot shaft and a rotatable shaft which is rotated by an electric motor. At least two eccentric bearings are mounted to the rotatable shaft (one bearing for each actuator block) such that the bearings orbit about the rotatable shaft 180.degree. out-of-phase with respect to one another. The actuator blocks are positioned adjacent the eccentric bearings so that they move in a reciprocating manner about the rotatable shaft of the saw. The to-and-fro motion of the actuator blocks is transformed into a counter-balanced oscillating motion of the cutting blades. Mechanical vibration, rotational and linear momentum of the saw is greatly reduced during surgery because as the cutting blades oscillate about the point of incision, the momentum produced by one cutting blade is offset by the momentum produced by its counterpart cutting blade.

Counter-balanced oscillating surgical saw

An intramedullary alignment guide and method for use thereof are disclosed for accurately preparing and shaping the distal femur end surface to receive a knee prosthesis for securement thereto. The guide references the femur intramedullary canal to ensure that a distal femoral resector is properly positioned at a selected angle with respect to a patient's mechanical axis. In the preferred embodiment, the intramedullary alignment guide includes an opening for inserting an intramedullary rod therethrough and into the intramedullary canal of a patient. The present guide includes an adjustment mechanism which allows a surgeon to quickly and easily deflect an attached distal femoral resector into a desired angular displacement with respect to intramedullary canal. In accordance with the preferred method, the distal femoral resector angled with respect to the intramedullary canal so that a cut can be made in a patient's distal femur end which is perpendicular with the patient's mechanical axis. The present guide can be used on patients having various anatomies, and in operations involving both the right and left legs. A sighting tool is also disclosed which allows a surgeon to externally verify that the distal femoral resector is properly aligned with the patient's mechanical axis.

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Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Phil Cripe