David J Krueger

US Patent:

58302166, Nov 3, 1998

Filed:

Oct 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/742427

Inventors:

John N. Insall - New York NY
Giles R. Scuderi - Garden City NY
Pascal Poilvache - Brussels, BE
Robert A. Hodorek - Warsaw IN
David J. Krueger - Austin TX

Assignee:

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company - New York NY

International Classification:

A61B 1758

US Classification:

606 88

Abstract:

A set of instruments and a surgical technique facilitate precise orientation of the femoral implant. Precision is aided by decoupling the determination of A/P placement, valgus angle, and external rotation into three discrete steps. In this way, a surgeon's full concentration can be directed to each element of placement and fine adjustments can readily be made to each. An Epicondylar Guide is configured to ease referencing external rotation from the epicondyles. The narrow elongated guide is easily alignable with the epicondyles when it is placed on the flat distal cut. A Posterior Reference/Rotation Guide can be attached to the Epicondylar Guide to check the rotation relative to the intact posterior condyles to confirm the epicondylar setting. A slot in the guide guides a saw blade to cut a corresponding slot in the distal femur. An A/P Cutting Guide has a fin that fits in the slot cut in the distal femur.