Patent ID: 7727239
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A milling system for use in resecting at least a portion of a joint articulation surface of a bone, the system having a first configuration and a second configuration, the system comprising: an alignment guide comprising a base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface with an opening extending therebetween; a positioning guide removably secured to the alignment guide, the positioning guide having a support portion that terminates at a distal end, the positioning guide being secured to the alignment guide in the first configuration with the distal end being inserted into the opening at the top surface of the alignment guide and passed through the opening of the alignment guide so as to extend below the bottom surface thereof, the distal end of the support portion being freely and openly exposed below the bottom surface of the alignment guide in the first configuration, whereby the distal end can be selectively placed directly on a bone at a predetermined location; a connector that removably secures the positioning guide to the alignment guide; a template removably secured to the alignment guide, the template having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface with a plurality of guide paths extending therebetween, the template being secured to the alignment guide in the second configuration so that at least a portion of the plurality of guide paths is aligned with the predetermined location of the bone; and means for removably mounting the alignment guide to a bone.