The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 20, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1996
David Mendes, Hafia, IL;
Ruth Beer, Hafia, IL;
Other;
Abstract
A surgical method and tool for repairing a natural patella are provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a natural patella by removing a portion thereof so as to leave a substantially convex remaining portion; and (b) fixing a patella implant onto the substantially convex remaining portion of the natural patella, the patella implant including: an upper surface for sliding over the femoral articulating member; a substantially concave under surface for fixation to the convex remaining portion of the natural patella; and a circumferential facet. A surgical tool according to the present invention comprises a substantially concave rotatable reaming member, the concavity of the reaming member being substantially equal to the concavity of the undersurface of the patella implant. The reaming member features a bit for drilling a hole in the natural patella so as to accept a peg connected to the patella implant. Alternatively, the bit may be used for guiding the reaming member through a central pre-drilled hole in the natural patella.