Patent ID: 8926619
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of surgically-preparing a proximal end of a patient's tibia, the method comprising: positioning a base trial on a resected surface of the proximal end of the patient's tibia, the base trial having an opening defined therein, placing a guide tower on the base trial positioned on the resected surface, selecting a keel punch for insertion into the patient's tibia, securing the keel punch to a lower end of a handle by engaging a lever of the handle with the keel punch, inserting the keel punch and the lower end of the handle through an upper end of the guide tower, impacting the keel punch into the proximal end of the patient's tibia through the opening of the base trial, contacting an inner surface of the guide tower with the lever to disengage the lever from the keel punch, moving the lower end of the handle toward the upper end of the guide tower after impacting the keel punch, engaging the lever with the guide tower to secure the handle to the guide tower, and using the handle to remove the guide tower from the base trial.