Patent ID: 7632283
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A modified system for balancing soft tissue intraoperatively during joint arthroplasty, the system being of the type having a first joint trial having an articulating surface having a curved contour, a second joint trial having an articulating surface having a curved contour, the curved contour of the articulating surface of the first joint trial being shaped to receive the articulating surface of the second joint trial, a flexible sensor array capable of being shaped to define a curved contour, the sensor array being capable of generating a signal in response to pressure, and a protector having a surface that has a concave curved contour and an opposite surface that has a convex curved contour, the protector being capable of transmitting pressure to the sensor array, the protector having a thickness between the surface with the concave curved contour and the surface with the convex curved contour, the curved contours of the articulating surface of the first joint trial and the curved contoured surfaces of the protector being curved in a plurality of intersecting cross-sections, the modified system comprising: complementary mounting members associated with the protector and the first joint trial for temporarily securing the sensor array between the protector and the first joint trial, the complementary mounting members being sized, shaped and positioned so that the protector and the sensor array may be temporarily secured on the curved contour of the articulating surface of the first joint trial with the sensor array positioned between the curved contours of the articulating surface of the first joint trial and the curved contoured opposite surface of the protector; wherein the sensor array is removable from protector and first joint trial without damaging the sensor array; and wherein the complementary mounting members limit movement of the protector with respect to the first joint trial in use so that the position of the protector is fixed relative to the articulating surface of the first joint trial during use.