Patent ID: 6478799
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
An instrument for aligning a leg during a knee replacement procedure, the instrument comprising:a first member configured to contact a distal femur and to exert a force on the distal femur in a first direction; and a second member configured to contact a proximal tibia and to exert a force on the proximal tibia in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, the second member being movable in the second direction in a substantially fixed orientation with respect to the first member to move the tibia relative to the femur; wherein the first and second members are laterally disposed with respect to each other and are elongated and extending at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis between proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the first member having a thickness that is sufficiently thin to be manually, slidably inserted at a first lateral location between the distal femur and the proximal tibia, the distal end of the second member having a thickness that is sufficiently thin to be manually, slidably inserted at a second lateral location between the distal femur and the proximal tibia, the second lateral location being distinct from the first lateral location.