Surgical Implantation Method and Devices for an Extra-Articular Mechanical Energy

Abstract

A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of attaching a medical device across a joint including first and second members, comprising:
 attaching a first base to the first member with compression and locking screws;   attaching a second base to the second member with one or more of compression and locking screws; and   affixing a third component to the first and second bases.   
     
     
         13 . A method of implanting a medical device with an articulating element across an articulating knee joint, comprising:
 viewing a femur and a tibia of the articulating joint from a side vantage point;   identifying a midpoint of Blumensaat's line;   configuring the medical device such that the articulating element thereof corresponds to the midpoint of Blumensaat's line.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising placing an elongate member in first member and passing a guide over the elongate member to select the first base prior to attaching the first base to the first member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first member is the femur and the second member is the tibia. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the third component includes a compression spring for reducing the load on the joint. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the third component is affixed to the first and second bases by two pivotal connections. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pivotal connections are ball and socket connections. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the articulating element is positioned anterior and proximal to a midpoint of Blumensaat's line. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device comprises a first base affixed to the femur, a second base affixed to the tibia, and an articulating load absorbing component connected between the first and second bases.