Arthroscopic unicompartmental knee technique and instrumentation

US8083803B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARTHREX, INC. · US

Inventors

• Ricardo Albertorio · Naples, US
• Ronald C. Iannarone · Hillside, US
• Jacob A. Jolly · Naples, US
• David C. Koogle, Jr. · Trenton, US
• Jerry Sterrett · Naples, US
• Reinhold Schmieding · Naples, US
• Scott Sherman · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 5, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 27, 2011
• Expiry date: Oct 27, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2002/4662
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for arthroscopic unicompartmental knee surgery which include a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component is installed in a trough in the femoral condyle formed by using a template, a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters. The template is aligned with the curvature of the femoral condyle, the two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the femur, cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to make holes in the femur, and the remaining hourglass shaped bone is removed with osteotomy pliers to form the trough. A tibial socket for the tibial component is formed in a retrograde manner.