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:
Jun. 04, 2013
Filed:
Jul. 10, 2006
Robert A. Hodorek, Warsaw, IN (US);
Adam H. Sanford, Warsaw, IN (US);
Richard L. Williamson, Ana Cortes, WA (US);
Paul V. Saenger, Asheville, NC (US);
Toby N. Farling, Warsaw, IN (US);
Robert A. Hodorek, Warsaw, IN (US);
Adam H. Sanford, Warsaw, IN (US);
Richard L. Williamson, Ana Cortes, WA (US);
Paul V. Saenger, Asheville, NC (US);
Toby N. Farling, Warsaw, IN (US);
Zimmer, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia. The headless securing devices are used as a reference for securing a tibial cut block to the tibia for making the proximal tibial resection. With the mechanism of the present invention, the knee can be placed in flexion when making the proximal tibial cut and the distal femoral cut is linked to the proximal tibial cut.