Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making a patient specific surgical tool based at least in part on a joint space in a joint of a patient, the method comprising:
 obtaining image data associated with at least a portion of the joint of the patient;   determining the joint space of the joint based at least in part on the image data;   generating a patient-specific surgical tool based in part on the joint space;   wherein the surgical tool includes at least one surface portion having a shape that substantially conforms to a corresponding surface portion of the joint of the patient, and includes a surgical instrument guide having a predetermined position relative to the surface portion such that the surgical instrument guide defines a predetermined cutting or drilling path relative to the joint when the surface portion is aligned with and placed against the corresponding surface portion of the joint.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is a knee joint of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the knee joint includes a tibiofemoral joint. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the knee joint includes a patellofemoral joint.