US 7,604,639 B2 · Patellar cutting guide

Abstract

A patellar cutting guide is particularly useful in a method of minimally invasive knee arthroplasty in which an incision is made along the medial or lateral aspect of a patient's knee, exposing the knee joint. The patellar cutting guide includes a clamp configured to be located exterior to the knee over the anterior portion of the patella, a stop having at least one portion configured to extend through an incision to a location posterior to the patella, and a cutting guide defining a cutting slot. The clamp may have outwardly extending spikes for passage through the tissue overlying the patella and into engagement with the patella. The stop is movable relative to the clamp and/or cutting guide. In one embodiment, the cutting guide is offset laterally and posteriorly relative to the clamp so that the slot is aligned with a medially or laterally-formed incision in the knee.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A patellar cutting guide for use in resecting a posterior portion of a patella through an incision generally located along the medial or lateral mid-line of a knee, comprising:

a stop for location posterior to a posterior portion of said patella having a surface configured to abut a posterior portion of said patella, said surface further configured to extend from a distal portion of said posterior portion of said patella to a proximal portion of said posterior portion of said patella when said stop abuts said patella;
a cutting guide oriented generally perpendicular to said stop, said cutting guide having a generally longitudinal, slot therein for accepting a cutting implement for resecting a posterior portion of said patella;
a clamp having at least one spike extending therefrom in a direction of said stop, said spike adapted to penetrate the skin and engage an anterior portion of said patella such that said clamp and said stop exert opposite forces posteriorly and anteriorly, respectively;
and
means for moving said clamp relative to said stop, whereby said clamp and stop may be moved into relative positions in which they secure said patella in a fixed position while said cutting implement is utilized to resect said patella.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Patellar cutting guide

Life of this patent

Patellar cutting guide

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16