Methods and apparatus for orthopedic implant preparation systems

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for systems for preparing musculoskeletal structures to receive an orthopedic implant.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for facilitating the selection of an orthopedic prosthesis having a component with a bone engaging surface, an oppositely disposed articulating surface and defining a component spacing therebetween, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first component having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface;    said inwardly facing surface having a first portion defining a configuration substantially similar to a portion of the bone engaging surface of the component and a second portion adapted for placement facing a non-resected bone surface; and    said outwardly facing surface defining a first articulating surface at least partially disposed opposite each of said first and second portions of said inwardly facing surface and defining a spacing between said outwardly facing surface and said first portion greater than said component spacing.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said first component further defines at least one guide element having a predefined position relative to said first portion.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a second component mountable on a second bone and having a second bearing surface engagable with said first articulating surface and a mounting surface engagable with a resected bone surface, said first and second components defining a mounting distance between said first portion of said inwardly facing surface and said mounting surface; said mounting distance being substantially equivalent to a corresponding mounting distance occupied by the orthopedic prosthesis.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said first component is adapted for placement on a distal femur and said articulating surface of said first component defines a single condylar-shaped projection and said second component is adapted for placement on a proximal tibia.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said inwardly facing surface defines a volume greater than the volume defined by the bone engaging surface of the orthopedic prosthesis.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for facilitating the selection of an orthopedic prosthesis having a component with a bone engaging surface defining a plurality of intersecting planar surfaces, an oppositely disposed articulating surface and defining a component spacing therebetween, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first component having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface;    said inwardly facing surface having a first portion defining a substantially planar surface lying within a single plane and configured substantially similar to a portion of the corresponding bone engaging surface of the orthopedic prosthesis and a second portion positionable proximate a non-resected bone surface and defining a volume greater than the volume defined by the bone engaging surface of the permanent prosthesis; and    said outwardly facing surface defining a first articulating surface at least partially disposed opposite each of said first and second portions of said inwardly facing surface and defining a spacing between said outwardly facing surface and said first portion greater than the component spacing.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein said first component further defines at least one guide element having a predefined position relative to said first portion.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one guide element comprises an opening extending from said outwardly facing surface to said first portion of said inwardly facing surface.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a second component mountable on a second bone and having a second bearing surface engagable with said first articulating surface and a mounting surface engagable with a resected bone surface, said first and second components defining a mounting distance between said first portion of said inwardly facing surface and said mounting surface; said mounting distance being substantially equivalent to a corresponding distance occupied by the orthopedic prosthesis.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein said first component is adapted for placement on a distal femur and said articulating surface of said first component defines a single condylar-shaped projection and said second component is adapted for placement on a proximal tibia.  
   
   
       30 . A method of implanting an orthopedic prosthesis at a joint between a first bone and a second bone, said method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus and a corresponding prosthesis, said prosthesis having first and second prosthesis components, said first prosthesis component having a bone engaging surface and an oppositely disposed articulating surface defining a component spacing therebetween, said apparatus having a first apparatus component having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface, said inwardly facing surface having a first portion defining a configuration substantially similar to a portion of said bone engaging surface and a second portion adapted for placement facing a non-resected bone surface;    partially preparing the first bone to receive the prosthesis;    mounting the first apparatus component on the first bone wherein said outwardly facing surface of said first apparatus component opposite said first portion of said inwardly facing surface is spaced outwardly from the bone by a distance which is greater than said prosthesis component spacing;    assessing the fit of said provisional prosthesis;    and completing the preparation of the first bone after assessing the fit of said apparatus.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising the step of at least partially preparing the second bone to receive said prosthesis and wherein said steps of partially preparing the first and second bones defines a gap between first and second prepared surfaces located respectively on the first and second bones and wherein said step of assessing the fit of said apparatus includes assessing the fit of said apparatus within the gap.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 32  wherein said apparatus includes a second apparatus component mountable on the second bone and having a second bearing surface engagable with said outwardly facing surface of said first apparatus component and a mounting surface engagable with the second bone, said first and second apparatus components defining a mounting distance between said first portion of said inwardly facing surface of said first apparatus component and said mounting surface of said second apparatus component, said mounting distance being substantially equivalent to a corresponding mounting distance occupied by the prosthesis and wherein assessing the fit of said apparatus within the gap includes positioning said first and second apparatus components to separate the first and second bones by said mounting distance.  
   
   
       33 - 66 . (canceled)