Appeal No. 2005-1675 Page 11
Application No. 09/523,503
135 with the distal end 35 of the intramedullary rod 37 extending outward from
the distal aspect 19 of the distal femur 13. The instrument body construct 25 is
then assembled using a selected one of the valgus modules 61, 63, 65 based on
the desired valgus angle. If full length extremity radiographs or films are
available, the appropriate valgus angle may be estimated by the angle formed
between the anatomical axis (the longitudinal axis of the femoral shaft) and the
mechanical axis (a line extending through the centers of the femoral head, knee
joint and angle joint). The valgus angle may also be determined by using an
external alignment rod or the like. The desired valgus angle is set by merely
mounting the appropriate one of the valgus modules 61, 63, 65 to the instrument
body 27 using the lock nut 87, etc. The instrument body construct 25, with the
selected valgus module 61, 63, 65, is positioned on the intramedullary rod
37 with the distal end 35 of the intramedullary rod 37 extending through the
cavity 67 in the selected valgus module 61, 63, 65, and moved proximately until
the planar face portion 30 of the distal aspect abutting surface 29 abuts the distal
aspect 19 of the distal femur 13. The assembly is then adjusted until the pointed
end 95 of the stylus 93 rests against a portion of the anterior aspect 23 of the
distal femur 13 (e.g., preferably against the lateral anterior condyle). The
anterior-to-posterior size of the end of the distal femur 13 can then be read from
the scale 109. The anterior-to-posterior size thus read corresponds or relates to
the proper implant size to be implanted which determines, in part, the thickness
of the initial femoral resections. If the reading falls between two sizes, the smaller
size is generally indicated.
The anterior feeler gauge 91 is then removed from the instrument body
construct 25 and the resection guide 113 is attached to the instrument body
construct 25 in the first position by, for example, sliding the T-slot 121 of the
resection guide 113 into the T-flange 123 of the second body member 47 of the
instrument body 27 and then tightening the lock screw 125 to lock the resection
guide 113 to the second body member 47 of the instrument body 27. As
indicated hereinabove, the slots 117, 119 may be automatically set at 3.degree.
of external rotation. Handles, bone clamps, nails or pins may be used to help
hold the assembly firmly in place on the distal femur 13. The second body
member 47 may include apertures 137, ears 139, etc., to coact with such
Handles, bone clamps, nails or pins, etc. The anterior femoral resection 21 is
then cut by passing the bone resection member 16 of the bone resection tool 15
through the appropriate slot 117, 119 of the body member 115 of the resection
guide 113.
Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007