Patent ID: 7662156
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for determining proper superior-inferior joint line positioning between a femoral component and a patellar component comprising: determining a primary superior-inferior joint line between a tibial component and a femoral component; providing a femoral trial component, the femoral trial component comprising an anterior surface, and a distal surface, the anterior and distal surfaces determined when a patient's leg is in extension and the femoral trial component is placed on a distal portion of the femur such that the anterior surface is adjacent to a patellar component and the distal surface is aligned with a lateral and medial condyle articular surface of a femur, and at least one mark on the anterior surface of the femoral trial component to indicate a desired patellofemoral contact point in extension; placing the patellar component above the femoral trial component; referencing the mark on the femoral trial component during a surgical procedure to assist in determining a secondary superior-inferior joint line position between a patellar component and a femoral prosthetic component, wherein determining the secondary superior-inferior joint line position includes using the at least one mark on the anterior surface of the femoral trial component to indicate a desired patellofemoral contact point in extension by determining whether the patellar component is superior, inferior, or aligned with the at least one mark of the anterior surface of the femoral trial component and either proximalizing the femoral component if the patellar component is superior to the at least one mark, distalizing the femoral component if the patellar component is inferior to the at least one mark, or maintaining the position of the femoral component if the patellar component is aligned with the at least one mark; installing the femoral prosthetic component based at least in part on the determination of the primary superior-inferior joint line position between the tibial component and the femoral component and the determination of the secondary superior-inferior joint line position between the patellar component and the femoral component and; completing the surgical procedure with the femoral component in proper position.