Method And Apparatus For Positioning A Multiple Piece Prosthesis

Abstract

A method and apparatus for positioning an implant system in anatomy is disclosed. The apparatus can include an alignment member operable to contact an implant portion, a bone, or other appropriate portion. The method can include using the apparatus to assist in positioning a single or multi-piece implant member. Also, a method of aligning a first implant position relative to another implant position is disclosed.

1 . A method of positioning a prosthesis member on a single bone in a joint of an anatomy, comprising:
 positioning an instrument to contact a first portion of the single bone to assist in a resection of a second portion of the single bone relative to the first portion of the single bone;   determining a first location of the resection on the second portion of the single bone;   performing the resection at the determined second location on the second portion of the single bone; and   positioning a prosthesis member on the single bone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning an instrument to contact a first portion of the single bone includes contacting the first portion of the single bone directly with the instrument. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is a single piece prosthesis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is a multi-piece prosthesis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 integrally connecting a first piece and a second piece of the multi-piece implant.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining access to the joint by forming an incision in soft tissue surrounding the joint.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the prosthesis member on the first portion of the single bone includes positioning a unicondylar implant relative to a single condyle on a femur. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the second location of the resection on the second portion of the single bone includes:
 contacting a first portion of the single bone with a first portion of an instrument; and   moving an adjustment member of the instrument relative to the second portion of the single bone while the first portion remains contacting the first portion of the single bone.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 contacting an instrument with the first portion of the single bone for determining the second location of the resection of the second portion of the single bone; and   positioning a resection guide relative to the second portion of the single bone.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a first resection of the first portion of the single bone at a first time; and   wherein performing the resection at the determined second location on the second portion of the single bone occurs after forming the first resection.   
     
     
         11 . A method of positioning a prosthesis member on a single bone in a joint in an anatomy, comprising:
 determining a first location of a first resection on a first portion of the single bone;   performing the first resection at a first time;   determining a second location of a second resection on a second portion of the single bone based on the first resection;   performing the second resection at a second time after the first time; and   implanting a prosthesis member relative to at least one of the first location, the second location, or combinations thereof on the single bone.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the second location of the second resection on the second portion of the single bone includes:
 contacting the resected first portion of the single bone with a first portion of an instrument:   moving an adjustment portion of the instrument relative to the second portion of the single bone; and   determining the second location of the second resection based upon the position of the adjustment portion of the instrument.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving the adjustment portion of the instrument relative to the second portion of the single bone includes positioning a modular member relative to the first portion of the instrument to determine the second location for the second resection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving the adjustment portion of the instrument includes adjusting the adjustment portion relative to the first portion while the first portion is contacting the first portion of the single bone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 positioning a resection guide relative to the second portion of the bone based upon a position of the adjustment portion of the instrument.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein positioning the resection guide includes positioning a saw guide, positioning a milling guide, positioning an ablator, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining an alignment of the single bone relative to a second bone separate from the single bone;   wherein determining the second location of the second resection on the second portion of the single bone is based on the determined alignment of the single bone relative to the second bone.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the prosthesis is a single one-piece prosthesis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the prosthesis is a multi-piece prosthesis that includes integrally connecting a first piece and a second piece of the multi-piece implant. 
     
     
         20 . A method of positioning a prosthesis member on a single bone in an anatomy, comprising:
 forming a first resected portion on a first portion of the single bone with a first instrument;   determining a second location for a second resected portion on a second portion of the single bone by contacting at least the first resected portion with a second instrument after forming the first resected portion;   forming the second resected portion at the determined second location; and   implanting a prosthesis member relative to the first location, the second location, or combinations thereof on the single bone.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the second resected portion is formed with the first instrument or a third instrument. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining the second location of the second resected portion includes:
 contacting the first resected portion of the single bone with a first portion of the second instrument; and   moving a second portion of the second instrument relative to the second portion of the single bone.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein moving the second portion of the second instrument includes positioning a modular member relative to the second portion of the second instrument to determine the second location for the second resected portion. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein moving the second portion of the second instrument includes adjusting the second portion of the second instrument relative to the first portion of the second instrument. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 determining an alignment of the single bone relative to a second bone;   wherein determining the second location for the second resected portion on the second portion of the single bone includes determining the alignment of the single bone relative to the second bone.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein implanting a prosthesis includes implanting a single piece prosthesis onto the single bone.