Patent Publication Number: US-8986306-B2

Title: Patella orthopaedic surgical method

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/503,159, which was filed on Jun. 30, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE 
     Cross-reference is made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/503,402 entitled “PATELLA RESECTION GUIDE WITH LOCATING FEATURES AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME” by Abraham Wright et al.; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/503,404 entitled “PATELLA ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY” by Abraham Wright et al.; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/503,164 entitled “PATELLA DRILL GUIDE AND CLAMP ASSEMBLY” by Abraham Wright et al.; co-pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/396,508 entitled “MULTIFUNCTIONAL HANDLE” by Abraham Wright et al.; co-pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/396,512 entitled “PATELLA RESECTION GUIDE” by Abraham Wright et al.; and co-pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/396,514 entitled “COMBINATION PATELLA DRILL GUIDE AND CLAMP” by Abraham Wright et al., each of which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application and each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to orthopaedic surgical instruments and, more particularly, to patella surgical instruments. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Joint arthroplasty is a well-known surgical procedure by which a diseased and/or damaged natural joint is replaced by a prosthetic joint. A typical knee prosthesis includes a tibial tray, a femoral component, and a polymer insert or bearing positioned between the tibial tray and the femoral component. In some cases, the knee prosthesis may also include a prosthetic patella component, which is secured to a posterior side of the patient&#39;s surgically-prepared patella. To secure the prosthetic component to the patella, an orthopaedic surgeon may resect the posterior side of the patient&#39;s natural patella to prepare the natural patella to receive the prosthetic component. In use, the patella prosthetic component articulates with the patient&#39;s natural or prosthetic femur during extension and flexion of the patient&#39;s knee. 
     To facilitate the replacement of the natural joint with the knee prosthesis, orthopaedic surgeons use a variety of orthopaedic surgical instruments such as, for example, cutting blocks, drill guides, milling guides, and other surgical instruments. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, an orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly is disclosed. The orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes a handle having a housing and a lever moveably coupled to the housing, and a plurality of surgical tools configured to be selectively coupled with the housing. Each surgical tool of the plurality of surgical tools includes a first clamping element and a second clamping element configured to move relative to the first clamping element. The second clamping element is configured to be coupled to the lever such that moving the lever relative to the housing advances the second clamping element toward the first clamping element to clamp a bone of a patient. 
     In some embodiments, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly may include a locking mechanism configured to secure each surgical tool to the housing. The locking mechanism may include a locking bracket that is moveable between a first position in which the locking mechanism secures the surgical tool to the housing and a second position in which the locking mechanism permits the surgical tool to be removed from the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the housing may have a passageway defined therein. The surgical tool may have a body including the first clamping element and a shaft extending downwardly therefrom. The shaft may be configured to be received in the passageway. The locking bracket may engage the shaft when the locking bracket is placed in the first position and the surgical tool is coupled with the housing. Additionally, in some embodiments, the shaft of the surgical tool may have a notch defined therein. A flange of the locking bracket may be received in the notch when the locking bracket is placed in the first position and may be spaced apart from the notch when the locking bracket is placed in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may further include a biasing member that biases the locking bracket in the first position. In some embodiments, a user-depressible button may be secured to the locking bracket, and the button may be configured such that depressing the button advances the locking bracket from the first position to the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the housing of the handle may include an upper body having the lever moveably coupled thereto and a grip extending downwardly from the upper body. The lever may include a lever arm extending downwardly from the upper body. The lever arm may be permitted to move relative to the grip when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the lever arm. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly may include a lever release mechanism configured to permit movement of the lever relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the lever release mechanism may include a catch that is moveable between a first position in which the lever is prevented from moving relative to the housing and a second position in which the lever is permitted to move relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the lever release mechanism may further include a plurality of teeth formed on the lever arm. The catch may include a flange that is engaged with the plurality of teeth when the catch is placed in the first position and is spaced from the plurality of teeth when the catch is placed in the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the lever release mechanism may include a user-depressible button moveably coupled to the upper body. The user-depressible button may have the catch secured thereto such that the catch is placed in the second position when the button is depressed. 
     In some embodiments, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly may further include a biasing member having a first end coupled to the lever arm of the lever and a second end coupled to the housing. The lever may have a first position in which the lever arm is spaced apart from the grip and a second position in which the lever arm is placed in contact with the grip. The biasing member may bias the lever in the first position when the catch is placed in the second position. In some embodiments, the catch may be advanced along the plurality of teeth when the predetermined amount of force is applied to the lever arm. 
     In some embodiments, the lever may further include an upper lever arm extending outwardly from the upper body, and the second clamping element may include a body having a slot defined therein. The slot may be sized to receive the upper lever arm. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, at least one surgical tool of the plurality of surgical tools may be a patella resection guide including a substantially planar upper surface that defines a patella cutting guide surface. The first clamping element may be a stationary first jaw, and the second clamping element may be a second jaw of the patella resection guide that is moveable relative to the stationary first jaw. 
     In some embodiments, at least one surgical tool of the plurality of surgical tools may be a patella drill guide. The first clamping element may be a stationary first bracket, and the second clamping element may be a second bracket that is moveable relative to the stationary first bracket. The second bracket may have at least one guide hole defined therein sized to receive a surgical drill. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly includes a handle having a housing, a patella resection guide configured to be selectively coupled with the housing, and a patella drill guide configured to be selectively coupled with the housing. The patella resection guide includes a pair of jaws configured to engage a patient&#39;s patella and a substantially planar upper surface that defines a patella cutting guide surface. The patella drill guide includes a first bracket and a second bracket configured to engage a patient&#39;s resected patella. The first bracket has at least one guide hole defined therein sized to receive a surgical drill. 
     In some embodiments, the handle may further include a lever moveably coupled to the housing. The pair of jaws of the patella resection guide may include a first jaw configured to be coupled to the lever such that moving the lever relative to the housing moves the first jaw relative to a second jaw. The first bracket of the patella drill guide may be configured to be coupled to the lever such that moving the lever relative to the housing moves the first bracket relative to the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, when the lever is moved in a first direction relative to the housing, the first jaw may move toward the second jaw of the pair of jaws. When the lever is moved in a second direction relative to the housing, the first jaw may move away from the second jaw. Additionally, in some embodiments, when the lever is moved in the first direction relative to the housing, the first bracket may move toward the second bracket, and when the lever is moved in the second direction relative to the housing, the first bracket may move away from the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the lever may include a lever arm. The lever may be permitted to move in the first direction relative to the housing when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the lever arm. In some embodiments, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly may further include a lever release mechanism. The lever release mechanism may include a catch that is moveable between a first position in which the lever is prevented from moving relative to the housing unless the predetermined amount of force is applied to the lever arm and a second position in which the lever is permitted to move in the second direction relative to the housing. 
     According to another aspect, an orthopaedic surgical instrument is disclosed. The orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a housing having an upper body and a grip extending downwardly from the upper body, a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure a plurality of surgical tools to the upper body, and a lever moveably coupled to the upper body. The lever includes a first lever arm extending downwardly from the upper body of the housing. The first lever arm is permitted to move relative to the grip when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the first lever arm. The lever also includes a second lever arm extending outwardly from an upper surface of the upper body. The second lever arm is configured to be coupled to the surgical tool secured to the upper body of the housing. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella resection guide. The patella resection guide includes a body having a substantially planar upper surface that defines a patella cutting guide surface and an inner wall defining an aperture through the body. The aperture is configured to receive a patient&#39;s patella and the inner wall includes a first jaw having a first set of teeth extending inwardly into the aperture. The patella resection guide includes a second jaw positioned opposite the first jaw. The second jaw is and movable relative to the first jaw. The second jaw includes a second set of teeth extending inwardly toward the first jaw. The first jaw includes a first tooth of the first set of teeth having a length greater than any other tooth of the first set of teeth, and the second jaw has a second tooth of the second set of teeth that has a length greater than any other tooth of the second set of teeth. 
     In some embodiments, the second tooth may define a first axis along which the second jaw is movable toward the first jaw. The second jaw may be movable so as to advance into the aperture. In some embodiments, the first tooth may be located along the first axis. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first tooth may be located off-axis relative to the first axis. In some embodiments, the first jaw may include a third tooth extending inwardly into the aperture. The third tooth may be located off-axis relative to the first axis. 
     In some embodiments, the second tooth and the third tooth may be located approximately equidistant from the first axis. In some embodiments, movement of the second jaw relative to the first jaw may be linear. In some embodiments, the resection guide may further include an arm having the second jaw mounted thereto. The body may have a track defined therein opposite the first jaw, and the arm may be received in the track such that the arm slides along the track to move the second jaw relative to the first jaw. 
     In some embodiments, the resection guide may further include a saw capture removably coupled to the body, and a cutting slot may be defined between the substantially planar upper surface and the saw capture. In some embodiments, the second tooth may define a first axis along which the second jaw is movable toward the first jaw, and the cutting slot may have a first opening that defines a second axis extending orthogonal to the first axis. 
     In some embodiments, the body may have a pair of notches defined therein, and the saw capture may include a frame and a pair of lever arms pivotally coupled to the frame. Each lever arm may have a flange and may be moveable between a first position in which the flange is received in a corresponding notch and a second position in which the flange is spaced apart from the corresponding notch such that the saw capture may be removed from the body. 
     In some embodiments, the orthopaedic surgical instrument may further include a pair of springs that bias the pair of lever arms in the first position. In some embodiments, the resection guide may further have a height gauge including an arm positioned a predetermined distance above the patella cutting guide surface. In some embodiments, the predetermined distance may be approximately 9 millimeters. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella resection guide that has a body including a substantially planar upper surface and a first jaw having a first tooth. The patella resection guide includes a second jaw having a second tooth extending toward the first jaw. The second jaw is moveable relative to the first jaw. The patella resection guide also includes a saw capture removably coupled to the body. A cutting slot is defined between the substantially planar upper surface and the saw capture. The first tooth and the second tooth define an axis of rotation for a patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The cutting slot defines a resection plane that extends through the patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. 
     In some embodiments, the resection guide may further include a height gauge positioned a predetermined distance above the resection plane. In some embodiments, the height gauge may be secured to the saw capture. In some embodiments, the second jaw may be moveable along the axis of rotation defined by the first tooth and the second tooth. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the resection guide may further include a lateral side corresponding to the lateral side of the patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw and a medial side corresponding to the medial side of the patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The first jaw may be positioned on the lateral side of the resection guide such that the first tooth contacts the lateral side of the patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The second jaw may be positioned on the medial side of the resection guide such that the second tooth is placed in contact with the medial side of the patient&#39;s patella when the second jaw is advanced into the opening of the body and the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. 
     In some embodiments, the resection guide may further include a superior side corresponding to the superior side of the patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw, and an inferior side corresponding to the inferior side of the patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The cutting slot may have a first opening on the superior side of the resection guide. The first opening may be sized to receive a cutting saw blade. 
     In some embodiments, the first jaw may have a first plurality of teeth. The first tooth may have a length greater than any other tooth of the first plurality of teeth. The second jaw may have a second plurality of teeth. The second tooth may have a length greater than any other tooth of the second plurality of teeth. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella resection guide that has a body having a substantially planar upper surface that defines a patella cutting guide surface and a first jaw having a first plurality of teeth. A first tooth of the first plurality of teeth has a length greater than any other tooth of the first plurality of teeth. The patella resection guide also has a second jaw positioned opposite the first jaw and movable relative to the first jaw. The second jaw includes a second plurality of teeth extending toward the first plurality of teeth. A second tooth of the second plurality of teeth has a length greater than any other tooth of the second plurality of teeth. The second tooth defines an axis along which the second jaw is moveable relative to the first jaw. The patella cutting guide surface may define a resection plane that extends through a patient&#39;s patella when the patella is positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella drill guide that has a first bracket and a second bracket coupled to the first bracket that is moveable relative to the first bracket. The second bracket includes a drill plate having a plurality of guide holes defined therein, and each of the plurality of guide holes is sized to receive a surgical drill. A gasket is pivotally coupled to the second bracket, and the gasket has a plurality of plugs configured to be received in the plurality of guide holes of the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the first bracket may include a first side surface that has a first plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and the second bracket may include a second side surface that faces the first side surface such that movement of the second bracket toward the first bracket may cause movement of the second side surface toward to the first side surface. The second side surface may have a second plurality of teeth extending therefrom. In some embodiments, the first side surface of the first bracket may extend substantially parallel to the second side surface of the second bracket. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the gasket may have a first surface facing the second side surface of the second bracket. The first surface may have the plurality of plugs extending therefrom and a plurality of guide holes defined therein configured to receive the second plurality of teeth of the second bracket. In some embodiments, the gasket may have a concave second surface positioned opposite the first surface. 
     In some embodiments, the second bracket may include an aperture defined in a lower end thereof, and the gasket may include a plug extending from a lower end thereof. The plug may be received in the aperture to pivotally couple the gasket to the second bracket. In some embodiments, the gasket may include a tab extending from an upper end thereof. The tab may include a pair of contoured surfaces configured to receive fingertips of a user such that the user may grip the tab to pivot the gasket relative to the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the gasket may be moveable between a first position in which the gasket is positioned between the drill plate of the second bracket and the first bracket and a second position in which the gasket is spaced apart from the drill plate of the second bracket. In some embodiments, the gasket may be removable from the second bracket. Additionally, in some embodiments, the plurality of guide holes of the drill plate may be arranged in a triangular pattern. In some embodiments, the gasket may be formed from an elastomeric material. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a handle having a housing and a lever moveably coupled to the housing, and a patella drill guide. The patella drill guide includes a first bracket and a second bracket that is moveable relative to the first bracket. The second bracket is coupled to the lever such that moving the lever relative to the housing moves the second bracket relative to the first bracket. A gasket is pivotally coupled to at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket are configured to engage a patient&#39;s resected patella. The patella drill guide also includes a guide hole that is sized to receive a surgical drill and is defined in at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket. The gasket has a plug that is configured to be received in the guide hole. 
     In some embodiments, the second bracket may include a drill plate having the guide hole defined therein. In some embodiments, the gasket may be moveable between a first position in which the gasket is positioned between the drill plate of the second bracket and the first bracket and a second position in which the gasket is spaced apart from the drill plate of the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, when the lever is moved in a first direction relative to the housing, the second bracket may be moved toward the first bracket, and when the lever is moved in a second direction relative to the housing, the second bracket may be moved away from the first bracket. 
     According to another aspect, the orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella drill guide. The patella drill guide includes a first bracket and a second bracket coupled to the first bracket and moveable relative to the first bracket. The second bracket includes a drill plate having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom and a first plurality of guide holes defined therein. Each of the first plurality of guide holes is sized to receive a surgical drill. A gasket is pivotally coupled to the second bracket, and the gasket has a second plurality of guide holes defined therein configured to receive the plurality of teeth of the second bracket and a plurality of plugs configured to be received in the first plurality of guide holes of the second bracket. The gasket is moveable between a first position in which the gasket is positioned between the drill plate of the second bracket and the first bracket, and a second position in which the gasket is spaced apart from the drill plate of the second bracket. 
     According to another aspect, a method of surgically preparing a patella for implantation of a patella prosthetic component is disclosed. The method includes positioning the patella between a pair of jaws of a patella resection guide, rotating the patella about a first axis extending in an inferior-superior direction to adjust the medial-lateral tilt of the patella, engaging the pair of jaws with the patella such that rotation about the first axis is prevented, rotating the patella about a second axis extending in a medial-lateral direction to adjust the inferior-superior tilt of the patella, clamping the pair of jaws to the patella such that rotation about the first axis and the second axis is prevented, and engaging the patella with a cutting saw blade. In some embodiments, the pair of jaws may include a stationary first jaw and a second jaw that is moveable relative to the first jaw. 
     In some embodiments, engaging the pair of jaws may further include engaging a first spike of the first jaw with the lateral side of the patella and advancing a second spike of the second jaw into contact with the medial side of the patella. In some embodiments, the first tooth and the second tooth may define the second axis, and rotating the patella about the second axis may include rotating the patella on the first tooth and the second tooth. 
     In some embodiments, clamping the pair of jaws with the patella may include engaging additional teeth of the first jaw with the lateral side of the patella and engaging additional teeth of the second jaw with the medial side of the patella. In some embodiments, positioning the patella between the pair of jaws may include contacting the patella with a height gauge of the patella resection guide. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include securing a saw capture to a body of the resection guide. The body may have the pair of jaws coupled thereto. Additionally, in some embodiments, the method may further include measuring the patella to determine a level of bone resection. Engaging the patella with the cutting saw blade may include cutting the patella to the level of bone resection. 
     According to another aspect, the method of surgically preparing a patella for implantation of a patella prosthetic component includes attaching a patella resection guide to a handle, operating a lever of the handle to engage a pair of jaws of the patella resection guide with a patient&#39;s patella, engaging the patella with a cutting saw blade to resect the patella and create a resected patella, detaching the patella resection guide from the handle, attaching a patella drill guide to the handle, operating the lever of the handle to clamp the resected patella between a pair of brackets of the patella drill guide, and drilling at least one mounting hole in the resected patella. 
     In some embodiments, operating the lever of the handle to engage the pair of jaws may include contacting the lateral side of the patella with a first jaw and applying an amount of force to the lever to advance a second jaw into contact with the medial side of the patella. In some embodiments, operating the lever of the handle to engage the pair of jaws may include engaging a first tooth of the first jaw with the lateral side of the patella and engaging a second tooth of the second jaw with the medial side of the patella. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include rotating the patella about a first axis extending in an inferior-superior direction to adjust the medial-lateral tilt of the patella and operating the lever of the handle to clamp the pair of jaws to the patella such that additional rotation about the first axis is prevented prior to engaging the patella with the cutting saw blade. 
     In some embodiments, detaching the patella resection guide may include operating the lever to withdraw the second jaw from the medial side of the resected patella. In some embodiments, operating the lever of the handle to clamp the patella between the pair of brackets may include contacting the anterior side of the resected patella with a first bracket and advancing a second bracket into contact with the posterior side of the resected patella. Additionally, in some embodiments, drilling at least one mounting hole in the resected patella may include advancing a surgical drill through one of a plurality of guide holes defined in the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the method may include operating the lever to withdraw the second bracket from the posterior side of the resected patella after drilling at least one mounting hole, attaching a patella prosthetic component on the posterior side of the resected patella, and operating the lever to clamp the patella prosthetic component and the resected patella between the pair of brackets. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include positioning a gasket between the patella prosthetic component and the second bracket prior to operating the lever to clamp the patella prosthetic component and the resected patella between the pair of brackets. 
     According to another aspect, the method of surgically preparing a patella for implantation of a patella prosthetic component includes positioning a resected patella between a first bracket and a second bracket of a patella drill guide, engaging the first bracket and the second bracket with the resected patella, advancing a surgical drill through one of a plurality of guide holes defined in the second bracket, drilling at least one mounting hole in the resected patella, disengaging the second bracket from the resected patella, attaching the patella prosthetic component to the resected patella, rotating a gasket coupled to the second bracket into position between the second bracket and the patella prosthetic component, and clamping the gasket, the patella prosthetic component, and the resected patella between the first bracket and the second bracket. 
     In some embodiments, engaging the first bracket and the second bracket with the resected patella may include engaging a first plurality of teeth formed on the first bracket with anterior side of the resected patella and engaging a second plurality of teeth formed on the second bracket with the posterior side of the resected patella. In some embodiments, rotating the gasket coupled to the second bracket may include placing each plug of a plurality of plugs extending from the gasket into each guide hole of the plurality of guide holes of the second bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of an orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a multifunctional handle of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded, perspective view of a patella clamp of the patella resection guide of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded, perspective view of a saw capture of the patella resection guide of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of a patella drill guide of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a patella prosthetic component that may be attached to a patient&#39;s resected patella by use of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are simplified flow charts of one embodiment of a procedure for using the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the patella clamp of the patella resection guide attached to the multifunctional handle; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 7  showing the saw capture attached to the patella clamp of the patella resection guide; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1  showing a patient&#39;s patella positioned within the patella resection guide; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1  showing of the patella positioned within the patella resection guide and in contact with the height gauge of the patella resection guide; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 9  showing the patella engaged by a locking mechanism of the patella resection guide; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 9  showing the patella rotated about a medial-lateral axis within the patella resection guide; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 9  showing the patella clamped by another locking mechanism of the patella resection guide and a cutting saw blade entering a cutting slot of the patella resection guide; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1  showing the patella drill guide attached the multifunctional handle; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of the patella drill guide and handle assembly of  FIG. 14  with the resected patella positioned in the patella drill guide; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the patella drill guide and handle assembly of  FIG. 14  engaged with the resected patella and showing a surgical drill bit inserted in a guide hole of the patella drill guide; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the patella drill guide and handle assembly of  FIG. 14  showing the patella drill guide engaged with the resected patella and the patella prosthetic component; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the patella resection guide of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the patella resection guide of the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Terms representing anatomical references, such as anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, superior, inferior, etcetera, may be used throughout the specification in reference to the orthopaedic implants and surgical instruments described herein as well as in reference to the patient&#39;s natural anatomy. Such terms have well-understood meanings in both the study of anatomy and the field of orthopaedics. Use of such anatomical reference terms in the written description and claims is intended to be consistent with their well-understood meanings unless noted otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly  10  (hereinafter assembly  10 ) includes a multifunctional handle  12  and a plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments or tools  14 . In the illustrative embodiment, the surgical tools  14  to be selectively coupled with the handle  12  include a patella resection guide  16  and a patella drill guide  18 . However, in other embodiments, additional and/or other surgical tools  14  may be used with the multifunctional handle  12 . 
     As described in greater detail below, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly  10  is utilized to surgically prepare a patient&#39;s patella for implantation of a patella prosthetic component, such as a patella prosthetic component  610  (see  FIG. 5 ). The patient&#39;s patella may be positioned in the patella resection guide  16  and may be resected by use of, for example, a surgical saw. Thereafter, the resected patella may be positioned in the patella drill guide  18 , and the surgeon may use the drill guide  18  to drill guide holes into the resected patella. The surgeon may use the drill guide  18  to size and select a patella prosthetic component. After the patella prosthetic component is selected, the surgeon may use the drill guide  18  to secure patella prosthetic component to the resected patella. 
     The multifunctional handle  12  includes a housing  20 , a lever  22  moveably coupled to the housing  20 , and a locking mechanism  24  configured to secure each surgical tool  14  to the housing  20 . The housing  20  has an upper body  26 , a lower body  28  extending downwardly therefrom, and a grip  30  attached to the lower body  28  that is sized to receive the hand of a user. The upper body  26  of the handle  12  has a mounting surface  32  that supports a surgical tool  14  when the surgical tool  14  is coupled to the handle  12 . 
     The mounting surface  32  of the handle  12  includes a substantially planar section  34  and an inclined section  36  extending downwardly at an angle relative to the section  34 . An opening  38  is defined in the mounting surface  32 , and the upper body  26  of the housing  20  includes an inner wall  40  extending downwardly from the opening  38 . The inner wall  40  defines a channel  42  having a closed end  44  and an open end  46 . The closed end  44  of the channel  42  is positioned in the substantially planar section  34  of the mounting surface  32  and the open end  46  of the channel  42  is defined in the inclined section  36 . 
     The lever  22  of the multifunctional handle  12  is pivotally coupled to the upper body  26  of the housing  20 . The lever  22  has an upper lever arm  48  that is received in the channel  42 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lever arm  48  extends outwardly through the opening  38  of the mounting surface  32 . The lever  22  also has a bowed trigger arm  50  that extends downwardly from the upper body  26  of the handle  12 . 
     In use, the handle  12  is operable to control the operation of the surgical tools  14 . For example, when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the trigger arm  50  in the direction indicated by arrow  54 , the upper lever arm  48  is advanced linearly toward the closed end  44  of the channel  42  along a longitudinal axis  58 . The handle  12  also includes a lever release mechanism  56  configured to permit the upper lever arm  48  to move in either direction along the axis  58 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     Turning to the surgical tools  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , the patella resection guide  16  includes a patella clamp  52  and a saw capture  64  configured to be removably coupled to the clamp  52 . The clamp  52  includes a body  60  and a clamping arm or slide arm  62  moveably coupled to the body  60 . The body  60  of the clamp  52  is formed from an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the body  60  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or ultra-high molecular weight polypropylene (UHMWPE). The body  60  has a substantially planar upper surface  66  and a lower surface  68  positioned opposite the upper surface  66 . A mounting bracket  70 , which is configured to be secured to the handle  12  via the locking mechanism  24 , extends downwardly from the lower surface  68  of the clamp  52 . When the clamp  52  is secured to the handle  12 , a portion of the lower surface  68  of the clamp  52  is supported by the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12 . 
     The upper surface  66  of the clamp  52  has an opening  72  defined therein. The body  60  includes a curvilinear inner wall  74  that extends downwardly from the upper surface  66  to the lower surface  68 , thereby defining a substantially elliptical or oval-shaped aperture  76  through the body  60 . The aperture  76  is sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella, as will be described in greater detail below. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the aperture  76  may have a different size or shape, such as, for example, a square, rectangle, or other shape properly sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3A , the body  60  of the patella clamp  52  also includes a jaw  78  extending from the inner wall  74 . The jaw  78  is embodied as a plurality of teeth  80  that extend inwardly into the aperture  76 . The teeth  80  include an elongated tooth  82 . When the elongated tooth  82  is measured from a base  84  at the inner wall  74  to a tip  86  spaced apart from the inner wall  74 , the elongated tooth  82  has a length  88  greater than any of the other teeth  80 . The tips  92  of the remaining teeth  80  define an arc  94  within the aperture  76 . The tip  86  of the tooth  82  extends beyond the arc  94  into the aperture  76 . 
     The body  60  of the clamp  52  further includes a pair of inner sidewalls  96 ,  98  that extend downwardly from the upper surface  66  to define a track  100  in the body  60 . The track  100  includes an opening  102  defined in the inner wall  74  opposite the jaw  78 . The track  100  includes another opening  104  defined in the outer wall  106  of the body  60 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the opening  104  is positioned opposite the opening  102 . 
     The slide arm  62  of the clamp  52  is positioned in the track  100  and, as will be described in greater detail below, is configured to slide along the track  100 . The slide arm  62  is formed from an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the slide arm  62  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or UHMWPE. The slide arm  62  has a main body  108  including an end  110  positioned opposite the jaw  78  of the body  60  and another end  112  configured to engage the lever  22  of the multifunctional handle  12 . The slide arm  62  also includes a moveable jaw  114  formed at the end  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the moveable jaw  114  is positioned opposite the jaw  78 . The jaw  114 , like the jaw  78 , is embodied as a plurality of teeth  116  that extend toward the jaw  78 . The teeth  116  include an elongated tooth  118 . The elongated tooth  118  has a length  124 , which is measured from a base  120  to a tip  122 , that is greater than any of the other teeth  116 . The tips  128  of the remaining teeth define an arc  130  in the aperture  76 . The tip  122  of the tooth  118  extends beyond the arc  130 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the body  108  of the slide arm  62  of the clamp  52  has an upper surface  132  that is substantially flush with the planar upper surface  66  of the body  60  of the clamp  52 . The upper surface  132  of the slide arm  62  has an opening  134  defined at the end  112  of the slide arm  62 , and the slide arm  62  includes an inner wall  136  that extends downwardly from the opening  134 . The inner wall  136  defines a slot  138  through the slide arm  62  that is sized to receive the upper lever arm  48  of the multifunctional handle  12 . 
     In use, when the patella resection guide  16  is coupled to the handle  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 , the lever arm  48  is configured to act on the inner wall  136  of the clamp  52  to move the jaw  114  relative to the stationary jaw  78 . As the upper lever arm  48  moves linearly along the axis  58  relative to the housing  20 , the lever arm  48  acts on the inner wall  136  of the clamp  52  to advance the slide arm  62  along the track  100 , thereby moving the jaw  114  relative to the jaw  78 . The slide arm  62  moves linearly along an axis  140  that is defined by the tooth  118  of the moveable jaw  114 . When the resection guide  16  is coupled to the handle  12 , the axis  140  is substantially aligned with the axis  58 . 
     As will be described in greater detail below in reference to  FIGS. 9-13 , the teeth  80 ,  116  of the jaws  78 ,  114  are configured to engage a patient&#39;s patella during a surgical procedure to hold the patella in position during a resection procedure. The clamp  52  also includes a planar upper surface  66 , which is usable by the orthopaedic surgeon to guide the surgical saw blade during the resection procedure, as will be described in greater detail below. In that way, the planar upper surface  66  is an open cutting guide surface  144 . The cutting guide surface  144  defines a resection plane  142  that extends through the patella when the patella is positioned between the jaws  78 ,  114  in the aperture  76 . 
     As described above, the resection guide  16  also includes the saw capture  64 , which is configured to be removably coupled to the clamp  52  to form a closed cutting guide. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the resection guide  16  may not include the saw capture  64 . The saw capture  64  includes a frame  150  formed from an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the frame  150  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or UHMWPE. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame  150  of the saw capture  64  has an upper surface  152  and a substantially planar lower surface  154  positioned opposite the upper surface  152 . The upper surface  152  of the frame  150  has an opening  156  defined therein. The frame  150  includes a curvilinear inner wall  158  that extends downwardly from the upper surface  152 , and the inner wall  158  defines an oval-shaped aperture  160  through the frame  150 . The aperture  160 , like the aperture  76 , is sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shape and size of the aperture  160  substantially matches the shape of the aperture  76  defined in the clamp  52  such that the apertures  76 ,  160  are in registry with each other when the saw capture  64  is coupled to the clamp  52 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the aperture  160 , like the aperture  76 , may take any other shape sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella. 
     The saw capture  64  of the resection guide  16  also includes an attachment mechanism  162  configured to secure the saw capture  64  to the clamp  52 . In the illustrative embodiment, the attachment mechanism  162  includes a pair of mounting arms  164 ,  166  pivotally coupled to the frame  150  and a pair of mounting brackets  168 ,  170  extending downwardly from the lower surface  154  of the frame  150 . As will be described in greater detail below, the arms  164 ,  166  and brackets  168 ,  170  engage predefined areas of the body  60  of the clamp  52  to secure the saw capture  64  thereto, and the arms  164 ,  166  pivot relative to the frame  150  to permit the saw capture  64  to be attached or detached from the clamp  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the patella resection guide  16  also includes a height gauge  172  secured to the saw capture  64 . In other embodiments, the height gauge  172  may be directly secured to the clamp  52  rather than the saw capture  64 . The height gauge  172  has a base  174  formed on the upper surface  152  of the frame  150  and a stylus arm  176  pivotally coupled to the base  174 . The stylus arm  176  has a lower surface  178  that is configured to be located at a predetermined height above the planar upper surface  66  of the body  60 . 
     As described above, the surgical tools  14  also includes the patella drill guide  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the patella drill guide  18  includes a support bracket  180 , a clamping bracket or drill bracket  182  movably coupled to the support bracket  180 , and a compression gasket  184  pivotally coupled to the drill bracket  182 . The support bracket  180  and the drill bracket  182  are formed from an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the support bracket  180  and/or the drill bracket  182  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or UHMWPE. 
     The support bracket  180  of the drill guide  18  includes a lower surface  186  that is supported by the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12  when the drill guide  18  is secured thereto. Like the resection guide  16 , the drill guide  18  includes a mounting bracket  70  that extends downwardly from the lower surface  186 , and the mounting bracket  70  is configured to be secured to the handle  12  via the locking mechanism  24 . 
     The support bracket  180  of the drill guide  18  also includes an upper surface  188  positioned opposite the lower surface  186 . The support bracket  180  also has a stationary arm  190  extending upwardly from the upper surface  188 . The stationary arm  190  includes a backing plate  192  configured to receive the anterior surface of a patient&#39;s patella, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The support bracket  180  also includes a pair of side walls  196 ,  198  that extend downwardly from the upper surface  188  to define a track  200  in the support bracket  180 . The track  200  includes an opening  202  defined in an end  204  of the support bracket  180  and another opening  206  defined in an opposite end  208 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drill bracket  182  is positioned in the track  200  and, as will be described in greater detail below, is configured to slide along the track  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drill bracket  182  of the drill guide  18  has a slide frame  210  that is positioned in the track  200 . The drill bracket  182  also includes a moveable arm  212  extending upwardly from an upper surface  214  of the slide frame  210 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the arm  212  is positioned parallel to the arm  190  of the support bracket  180 . The moveable arm  212  includes a drill plate  222  that is used to guide the drilling operations performed on the resected patella, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The upper surface  214  of the slide frame  210  has an opening  216  defined therein. The slide frame  210  includes an inner wall  218  that extends downwardly from the opening  216  to define a slot  220  through the slide frame  210 . The slot  220  is sized to receive the upper lever arm  48  of the handle  12  when the drill guide  18  is coupled thereto. In that way, as the upper lever arm  48  of the handle  12  moves within the channel  42  of the handle  12 , the lever arm  48  acts on the slide frame  210  to slide the drill bracket  182  linearly along the track  200  and move the bracket  182  relative to the bracket  180 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the multifunctional handle  12 , the resection guide  16 , and the drill guide  18  are shown in greater detail. Referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , the handle  12  is shown partially dissembled. As described above, the handle  12  includes the housing  20 , which has the upper body  26  that is attached to the lower body  28 . The lower body  28  has a base  230  and a casing  232  extending upwardly from the base  230  to an upper end  234 . A circular opening  236  is defined in the upper surface  238  of the casing  232 , and the lower body  28  includes a hollow passageway  240  that extends downwardly from the opening  236  into the casing  232 . 
     The grip  30  of the multifunctional handle  12  is positioned over the casing  232  of the lower body  28 . The grip  30  has a shell  242  that includes an outer surface  244  extending from a top end  246  to a bottom end  248 , and the shell  242  has an opening  250  defined in the top end  246  thereof. A cylindrical passageway  252  extends downwardly from the opening  236  through the shell  242 . In the illustrative embodiment, the grip  30  is molded over the lower body  28  such that the passageway  252  is formed around the casing  232 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the passageway  252  of the grip  30  may be sized such that the shell  242  slides over the casing  232  to assemble the grip  30  with the lower body  28 . The bottom end  248  of the grip  30  contacts the upper edge  254  of the base  230  and the top end  246  of the grip  30  is substantially flush with the upper end  234  of the lower body  28 . 
     The casing  232  of the lower body  28  is formed from silicone. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the casing  232  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or ultra-high molecular weight polypropylene (UHMWPE) or an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. The grip  30  and the base  230  are formed from a stiff elastomeric material, but in other embodiments may be formed from a suitable polymeric material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the multifunctional handle  12  also includes the upper body  26 , which includes an outer casing  256  and a shaft  258  extending downwardly therefrom. When the upper body  26  is attached to the lower body  28 , the shaft  258  is received in the passageway  240  of the lower body  28 , and a lower edge  260  of the upper body  26  contacts the lower body  28  and the grip  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lever  22  and the lever release mechanism  56  are coupled to the outer casing  256  of the upper body  26 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The lever  22  of the handle  12  includes a lever body  262 , the upper lever arm  48  extending upwardly from the lever body  262 , and the trigger arm  50  extending downwardly from the lever body  262 . The lever body  262  is pivotally coupled to the outer casing  256  at a joint  264 . The joint  264  includes a cylindrical pivot pin  266  that extends through, and is positioned in, a set of holes  268  defined in the outer casing  256  of the upper body  26  and the lever body  262 . A biasing element, illustratively embodied as a spring  270 , is positioned between a bottom surface  272  of the lever body  262  and an inner surface  274  of the outer casing  256 . 
     The lever release mechanism  56  of the handle  12  is embodied as a curved frame  280  and a plurality of teeth  282  defined in the top surface  284  of the lever body  262 . As will be described in greater detail below, the curved frame  280  is moved into and out of engagement with the teeth  282  to permit or inhibit movement of the lever  22 . The curved frame  280  has a top surface  286  and a bottom surface  288  positioned opposite the top surface  286 . An opening  290  is defined in the top surface  286 , and the curved frame  280  includes an inner wall  292  that extends downwardly from the opening  290 . The inner wall  292  defines a slot  294 , and the upper lever arm  48  of the lever  22  extends through that slot  294 . 
     The curved frame  280  of the lever release mechanism  56  includes a catch  296  that extends from a lower tip  298  thereof. The catch  296  is configured to engage with the teeth  282  of the lever body  262 . The curved frame  280  is pivotally coupled to the outer casing  256  at a joint  300  such that the catch  296  may be moved into and out of engagement with the teeth  282 . The joint  300  includes a cylindrical pivot pin  302  that is received in a hole  306  defined in the outer casing  256  and a hole  308  defined in the curved frame  280 . A biasing element, illustratively embodied as a spring  304 , is positioned between the pin  302  and the bottom of the hole  308 . 
     The lever release mechanism  56  also includes a button  310  that is positioned over the upper tip  312  of the curved frame  280 . In the illustrative embodiment, the button  310  is molded over the upper tip  312  to form a single piece. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the button  310  may be formed separately from the curved frame  280  and later attached thereto. The button  310  includes a contoured upper surface  314  configured to receive a fingertip of a user and a lower surface  316  positioned opposite the upper surface  314 . A biasing element, illustratively embodied as a spring  318 , is positioned between the bottom surface  320  and an inner surface  322  of the casing  256  to urge the curved frame  280  to pivot about the joint  300  such that the catch  296  is biased into engagement with the teeth  282 . 
     In use, the catch  296  is biased into engagement with the teeth  282 . The biased engagement of the catch  296  to the teeth  282  prevents the lever  22  from moving relative to the housing  20  along the longitudinal axis  58 . However, when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the trigger arm  50 , the bias of the spring  318  is overcome such that the upper lever arm  48  is moved along longitudinal axis  58  and the catch  296  is advanced stepwise along the teeth  282 . When the user stops applying force to the trigger arm  50 , the spring  318  urges the catch  296  into engagement with the teeth  282 , thereby preventing additional movement of the lever  22 . 
     Additionally, the catch  296  may be disengaged from the teeth by pressing down on the upper surface  314  of the button  310  of the lever release mechanism  56 , thereby overcoming the bias of the spring  318  and causing the curved frame  280  to pivot about the joint  300 . When the catch  296  is not engaged with the teeth  282 , the lever  22  is permitted to move relative to the housing  20 . If the no force is applied to the lever  22 , the spring  270  positioned between the lever body  262  and the outer casing  256  urges the lever  22  to pivot about the joint  264 , thereby moving the trigger arm  50  away from the outer surface  244  of the grip  30  and simultaneously moving the upper lever arm  48  along longitudinal axis  58  away from the closed end  44  of the channel  42 . When the user releases the button  310 , the spring  318  urges the curved frame  280  to pivot about the joint  300  such that the catch  296  is moved back into engagement with the teeth  282 . 
     As described above, the upper body  26  of the multifunctional handle  12  also includes the mounting surface  32 , which supports a surgical tool  14  when the surgical tool  14  is coupled to the handle  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting surface  32  has an opening  330  extending transverse to the channel  42 . A pair of sidewalls  332 ,  334  extends downwardly from the opening  330  to define a channel  336 . The channel  336  includes an opening  338  defined in one wall  340  of the outer casing  256  and another opening  342  defined in the opposite wall  344 . The channel  336  also has a bottom surface  346  extending the length thereof between the sidewalls  332 ,  334 . 
     The locking mechanism  24 , which secures each surgical tool  14  to the handle  12 , includes a circular opening  350  defined in the bottom surface  346  of the channel  336 , and a second opening  352  defined in the wall  340  of the outer casing  256 . An aperture  354  extends inwardly from the opening  352 , and a cylindrical passageway  356  extends downwardly from the opening  350  to the aperture  354 , thereby connecting the channel  336  with the aperture  354 . 
     The locking mechanism  24  also includes a locking bracket  358  positioned in the aperture  354 . The locking bracket  358  has an end  362  positioned adjacent to the wall  344  of the outer casing  256  and an end  364  extending outwardly from the opening  352  in the wall  340 . The locking bracket  358  also includes a rectangular body  360  having a flange  366  extending from the end  362  and another flange  380  extending from the end  364 . The flange  366  of the body  360  includes an outer surface  368  facing the wall  344  of the outer casing  256  and a chamfered inner surface  370  positioned opposite the outer surface  368 . A biasing element, which is embodied as a spring  372 , is positioned between the outer surface  368  of the flange  366  and the wall  344 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rectangular body  360  of the locking bracket  358  also includes a lower sidewall  374  having a front surface  378 . A pin  376  extending through the aperture  354  of the outer casing  256  is configured to engage with the front surface  378 , as will be described in greater detail below. The other flange  380  of the body  360  has a button  382  secured thereto. In the illustrative embodiment, the button  382  is molded over the flange  380  to form a single piece. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the button  382  may be formed separately from the flange  380  and later attached thereto. The button  382  includes a contoured outer surface  384 , which is configured to receive a fingertip of a user. A user may depress the button  382  in the direction indicated by arrow  386  in  FIG. 1 . 
     As described above, the locking mechanism  24  of the handle  12  cooperates with the mounting bracket  70  to secure a surgical tool  14  (e.g., the resection guide  16  and the drill guide  18 ) to the handle  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mounting bracket  70  includes a base  390  and a shaft  392  extending downwardly from the base  390 . The shaft  392  has a notch  394  defined in an outer surface  396  thereof. 
     In use, when a surgical tool  14  is positioned on the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12 , the base  390  of the mounting bracket  70  is received in the channel  336  of the outer casing  256 . The shaft  392  of the mounting bracket  70  extends through the cylindrical passageway  356  such that the notch  394  is positioned in the aperture  354 . The spring  372  urges the locking bracket  358  of the handle  12  into engagement with the mounting bracket  70  of the surgical tool  14  such that the chamfered surface  370  of the flange  366  is received in the notch  394  of the shaft  392 . In that way, the surgical tool  14  is secured to the handle  12 . 
     When a user depresses the button  382 , the flange  366  is removed from the notch  394  as the locking bracket  358  is disengaged from the mounting bracket  70 . The user may then remove the surgical tool  14  from the multifunctional handle  12 . When the user releases the button  382  after the surgical tool  14  is removed, the spring  372  urges the locking bracket  358  to move along the aperture  354  toward the opening  352 , thereby advancing the lower sidewall  374  of the locking bracket  358  into contact with the pin  376 . When the sidewall  374  engages the pin  376 , further movement by the locking bracket  358  is prevented. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the patella resection guide  16  is shown partially dissembled. As described above, the clamp  52  of the resection guide  16  includes the mounting bracket  70 . The base  390  of the mounting bracket  70  is secured to the lower surface  68  of the body  60  of the clamp  52 . The shaft  392  extends downwardly from the base  390 , and the notch  394  is defined in the outer surface  396  thereof. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the mounting bracket  70  is formed as a separate part, which is assembled to the clamp  52 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the mounting bracket  70  may be formed as a single piece with the body  60  of the clamp  52 . 
     As previously described, the slide arm  62  of the clamp  52  moves within the track  100  of the body  60  along the axis  140 . The sidewalls  96 ,  98  define the track  100  in the body  60 , and the track  100  includes a pair of grooves  400 ,  402  defined in the sidewalls  96 ,  98 , respectively. Each of the grooves  400 ,  402  extends from the opening  102  defined in the inner wall  74  of the body  60  to the opening  104  defined in the outer wall  106 . 
     The main body  108  of the slide arm  62  includes a pair of flanges  404 ,  406  extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the flanges  404 ,  406  is received in a corresponding one of the grooves  400 ,  402 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The flanges  404 ,  406  and grooves  400 ,  402  are sized such that the arm  62  may slide relative to the body  60  along the axis  140 . 
     The range of motion of the slide arm  62  is limited by a stop  408 . The stop  408  is illustratively embodied as a cylindrical pin  412  positioned in a hole  410  defined in the bottom surface  414  of the track  100 . The pin  412  is received in a closed slot  416 , which is defined in a lower surface  418  of the main body  108  of the slide arm  62 . The slide arm  62  is permitted to slide relative to the body  60  until the pin  412  contacts one of the ends of the slot  416 . The range of motion of the slide arm  62  is therefore limited by the length of the slot  416  and the position of the pin  412  in the bottom surface  414  of the track  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the resection guide  16  also includes the saw capture  64  that is configured to be removably coupled with the clamp  52 . To that end, the saw capture  64  has the attachment mechanism  162 , which, in the illustrative embodiment, includes the pair of mounting arms  164 ,  166  and the pair of mounting brackets  168 ,  170 . The mounting arms  164 ,  166  are pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the frame  150  of the saw capture  64 . Each of the mounting arms  164 ,  166  includes a base  420  that is pivotally coupled to the frame  150  at a joint  422 . The joint  422  includes a pivot pin  424  that extends through, and is positioned in, a set of holes  426  defined in the frame  150  and the base  420 . 
     Each of the mounting arms  164 ,  166  also includes a lever arm  428  extending outwardly from the base  420  and a sleeve  430  extending over a section of the lever arm  428 . In the illustrative embodiment, the sleeve  430  is molded over the lever arm  428  to form a single piece. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the sleeve  430  may be formed separately from the lever arm  428  and later attached thereto. The sleeve  430  includes a contoured outer surface  432  configured to receive a fingertip of a user. A biasing element, illustratively embodied as a spring  434 , is positioned between the lever arm  428  and a lower sidewall  436  of the frame  150 . 
     Each of the mounting arms  164 ,  166  also includes a flange  438  extending outwardly from the base  420 . An angle θ is defined between the flange  438  and the lever arm  428 . In the illustrative embodiment, the angle θ is an obtuse angle. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the flange  438  has an upper surface  440  that faces the frame  150 . Each of the mounting arms  164 ,  166  also includes an inner sidewall  442 . The inner sidewall  442  extends downwardly from the upper surface  440  of each flange  438  to define a notch  444  therein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the attachment mechanism  162  of the saw capture  64  also includes the pair of mounting brackets  168 ,  170 . Each of the mounting brackets  168 ,  170  includes a base  446  extending downwardly from the frame  150  to an end  448 . A flange  450  extends inwardly from the end  448  of each base  446  toward the aperture  160  defined in the frame  150 . It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the saw capture  64  may include additional or fewer brackets  168 ,  170 . 
     As described above, the clamp  52  includes a number of predefined areas that are engaged by the attachment mechanism  162 . In the illustrative embodiment, the outer wall  106  of the body  60  includes a plurality of undercuts  452 . Each of the undercuts  452  is configured to receive one of the flanges  438  of the arms  164 ,  166  and the flanges  450  of the brackets  168 ,  170 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the plurality of undercuts  452  include undercuts  454 ,  456  positioned on either side of the track  100  and undercuts  458 ,  460  positioned on either side of the jaw  78 . When the saw capture  64  is secured to the body  60 , the notch  444  in the flange  438  of the mounting arm  164  is received in the undercut  454  of the body  60  and the notch  444  in the flange  438  of the arm  166  is received in the undercut  456 . Similarly, the flanges  450  of the brackets  168 ,  170  are received in undercuts  458 ,  460 , respectively, when the saw capture  64  is secured to the body  60 . 
     To assemble the resection guide  16 , the user positions the saw capture  64  in front of and slightly above the body  60 . Sliding the saw capture  64  relative to the body  60  toward the end  112  of the slide arm  62  engages the flanges  450  of the brackets  168 ,  170  with the undercuts  458 ,  460  positioned on either side of the jaw  78 . When the brackets  168 ,  170  are seated in the undercuts  458 ,  460 , the user may press on the contoured outer surface  432  of each of the mounting arms  164 ,  166 . As the user presses on the mounting arms  164 ,  166 , the arms  164 ,  166  pivot about their respective joints  422  to reposition the flanges  438 . 
     The user may lower the rear portion of the saw capture  64  into contact with the upper surface  66  of the body  60  prior to releasing the arms  164 ,  166 . When the user releases the mounting arms  164 ,  166 , the springs  434  connected to the arms  164 ,  166  urge the arms to pivot about their respective joints  422 . The flanges  438  move into engagement with the undercuts  454 ,  456  positioned on either side of the track  100 , thereby securing the saw capture  64  to the clamp  52 . 
     To detach the saw capture  64  from the body  60 , the above-described process is repeated in reverse. That is, the user presses on the outer surface  432  of each of the mounting arms  164 ,  166  to cause the arms  164 ,  166  to pivot about their respective joints  422 . As the arms  164 ,  166  are pivoted, the flanges  438  disengage from the undercuts  454 ,  456 . The user may then lift the rear portion of the saw capture  64  above the upper surface  66  of the body  60  and slide the saw capture  64  relative to the body  60  to disengage the flanges  450  of the brackets  168 ,  170  from the undercuts  458 ,  460 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the frame  150  of the saw capture  64  also includes a plurality of lower walls  462  positioned around the outer perimeter of the aperture  160 . Each of the lower walls  462  has a lower surface  464  that contacts the planar upper surface  66  of the clamp  52  when the saw capture  64  is coupled thereto. As will be described in greater detail below, the planar upper surface  66  of the clamp  52 , the lower walls  462  of the saw capture  64 , and the planar lower surface  154  of the saw capture  64  define a plurality of cutting slots  466  therebetween. Each of the cutting slots  466  is sized to receive a cutting saw blade of a surgical saw. 
     As described above, the resection guide  16  also includes a height gauge  172 . The base  174  of the height gauge  172  has a cylindrical body  470  that extends upwardly from the frame  150 , and the body  470  includes an upper surface  472 . The upper surface  472  has an opening  474  defined therein, and the body  470  includes an inner wall  476  extending downwardly from the opening  474 . The inner wall  476  cooperates with a bottom surface  480  to define an aperture  478 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the stylus arm  176  includes a mounting head  482  and a plug  484 . The plug  484  includes an upper body  486  and a shaft  488  extending downwardly from the upper body  486 . The mounting head  482  is positioned below the upper body  486  of the plug  484  and over the opening  474  of the base  174 . A spacer  490  is positioned in the aperture  478  in contact with the lower surface  178  of the stylus arm  176 . A bellevelle washer  494  is positioned between the spacer  490  and the bottom surface  480  of aperture  478 . 
     Each of the mounting head  482 , spacer  490 , and washer  494  includes a through hole  496  that receives the shaft  488  of the plug  484 . A cylindrical pin  498 , which is positioned in holes (not shown) defined in the inner wall  476  of the body  470  and the lower end of the shaft  488 , secures the stylus arm  176  to the base  174  of the height gauge  172 . The stylus arm  176  is free to rotate about an axis  500  defined by the shaft  488 . 
     As described above, the lower surface  178  of the stylus arm  176  is configured to be located a predetermined height above the planar upper surface  66  of the clamp  52  when the saw capture  64  is coupled thereto. The predetermined height corresponds to the amount of bone to be removed during the patella resection, as will be described in greater detail below. In the illustrative embodiment, the predetermined height is approximately nine millimeters. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the predetermined height may be lesser or greater according to the bony anatomy of the patient. It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments the height gauge  172  may be configured such that the height can be adjusted intra-operatively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the patella drill guide  18  is shown partially disassembled. As described above, the patella drill guide  18  includes the support bracket  180  and the drill bracket  182 , which moves within the track  200  of the support bracket  180 . The sidewalls  196 ,  198  define the track  200  in the support bracket  180 , and the track  200  includes a pair of grooves  510 ,  512  defined in the sidewalls  196 ,  198 , respectively. Each of the grooves  510 ,  512  extends from the opening  202  defined in the end  204  of the support bracket  180  to the opening  206  defined in the opposite end  208 . 
     The slide frame  210  of the drill bracket  182  includes a pair of flanges  514 ,  516  extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the flanges  514 ,  516  is received in a corresponding one of the grooves  400 ,  402 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The flanges  514 ,  516  and the grooves  510 ,  512  are sized such that the drill bracket  182  may slide relative to the support bracket  180 . 
     The range of motion for the drill bracket  182  is limited by a stop  518 . The stop  518  is illustratively embodied as a cylindrical pin  522  positioned in a hole  520  defined in the bottom surface  524  of the track  200 . The pin  522  is received in a closed slot  526 , which is defined in a lower surface  528  of the slide frame  210  of the drill bracket  182 . The drill bracket  182  is permitted to slide relative to the support bracket  180  until the pin  522  contacts one of the ends of the slot  526 . The range of motion for the drill bracket  182  is therefore limited by the length of the slot  526  and the position of the pin  522  in the bottom surface  524  of the track  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the stationary arm  190  of the drill guide  18  has a body  530  that extends upwardly from the upper surface  188  of the support bracket  180 . The body  530  includes the backing plate  192 , which has a planar side surface  532 . The planar side surface  532  of the plate  192  has a circular opening  534  defined in an upper end  536  of the body  530 . The backing plate  192  also includes an inner wall  538  that extends inwardly from the circular opening  534 . The inner wall  538  defines an aperture  540  through the body  530 . A plurality of teeth  542  are positioned in the side surface  532  at equidistant points around the outer circumference of the opening  534 . 
     The moveable arm  212  of the drill bracket  182  has a body  550  that extends upwardly from the upper surface  214  of the slide frame  210 . The body  550  includes the drill plate  222 , which includes plurality of guide holes  560  that are used to guide the drilling operations performed on the resected patella. The drill plate  222  has a planar side surface  552  that faces the side surface  532  of the stationary arm  190 . The side surface  552  of the drill plate  222  has a plurality of circular openings  554 , and the drill plate  222  includes an inner wall  558  that extends inwardly from each of the circular opening  554 . 
     Each inner wall  558  defines one of the guide holes  560  through the drill plate  222 . Each of the openings  554  and the guide holes  560  are sized to receive a surgical drill bit. In the illustrative embodiment, the drill plate  222  includes three guide holes  560  that are arranged in a triangular pattern; it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the drill plate  222  may include additional or fewer guide holes shaped and sized to receive an appropriate surgical drill bit. A plurality of teeth  562  are positioned in the side surface  552  adjacent to the openings  554 . 
     The body  550  of the drill bracket  182  also includes an additional opening  564  positioned below the drill plate  222  at a lower end  566  thereof. The body  550  includes another inner wall  568  that extends inwardly from the opening  564  and defines another aperture  570  through the body  550 . The aperture  570  has a first section  572  that extends from the opening  564  and a second section  574  connected to the first section  572 . The second section  574  has a diameter greater than the first section  572  such that the aperture  570  is “stair-stepped.” 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the drill guide  18  also includes the compression gasket  184  pivotally coupled to the moveable arm  212 . In the illustrative embodiment, the gasket  184  is formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber, but it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the gasket  184  may be formed from a polymeric material. The gasket  184  has a body  580  extending from a lower end  582  to an upper end  584 . A plug  586  extends from the lower end  582  of the gasket  184 . The plug  586  is received in the aperture  570  of the drill bracket  182  and is configured to secure the gasket  184  to the drill bracket  182 . 
     To do so, the plug  586  has a main shaft  588  that is positioned in the first section  572  of the aperture  570 . A rim  590 , which extends outwardly from the main shaft  588 , is positioned within the second section  574  of aperture  570 . Because the diameter of the rim  590  is greater than the diameter of the first section  572 , the plug  586  is maintained in the aperture  570 , thereby securing the gasket  184  to the moveable arm  212 . 
     The body  580  of the gasket  184  also has cylindrical plugs  592  extending from the upper end  584  of the gasket  184 . The plugs  592  are arranged on the body  580  such that each plug  592  may be received in a corresponding guide hole  560  of the drill plate  222  to secure the gasket  184  in place. The body  580  also includes holes  576  (see  FIG. 16 ) configured to receive the teeth  562  extending from the side surface  552  of the drill plate  222 . 
     The body  580  of the gasket  184  further includes a tab  594  extending from the upper end  584 . The tab  594  includes a pair of contoured surfaces  596  configured to receive the fingertips of the user. In use, the user may grip the surfaces  596  to rotate the gasket  184  relative to the arm  212 , thereby moving the gasket  184  out of the drilling path when preparing to drill holes in a resected patella. In that way, the plugs  592  of the gasket  184  may be moved into and out of the guide holes  560  of the drill plate  222 . 
     The cylindrical plugs  592  of the gasket  184  are formed on a side surface  598  of the body  580 . The body  580  includes another side surface  600  that is positioned opposite the side surface  598 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the side surface  600  is concave and is configured to receive a portion of an implantable patella prosthetic component, as will be described in greater detail below. The side surface  600  also includes an opening  602  defined in the center thereof, and the opening  602  extends through both surfaces  598 ,  600 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an illustrative patella prosthetic component  610  that may be attached to a patient&#39;s resected patella by use of the surgical instrument assembly  10 . The component  610  includes a posterior bearing surface  612  configured to articulate with the condylar surfaces a femoral component (not shown). The component  610  also includes a flat anterior surface  614  having a number of fixation members, such as pegs  616 , extending away therefrom. The pegs  616  are configured to be implanted into a surgically-prepared posterior surface of the resected patella, as will be described in greater detail below. In such a way, the posterior bearing surface  612  of the components  610  faces toward the femoral component, thereby allowing the posterior bearing surface  612  to articulate with the femoral condyle surfaces during flexion and extension of the patient&#39;s knee. 
     In operation, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly  10  is utilized to surgically prepare a patient&#39;s patella for implantation of a patella prosthetic component, such as the patella prosthetic component  610 , during the performance of an orthopaedic surgical procedure like that shown in  FIGS. 6A  &amp; B. As shown in  FIGS. 6-13 , the patient&#39;s patella is first resected by use of, for example, a surgical saw. Thereafter, a patella prosthetic component is selected, and guide holes are drilled into the resected patella, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . The patella prosthetic component may be secured to the resected patella, as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A , an illustrative orthopaedic surgical procedure  700  using the surgical instrument assembly  10  is shown. In block  702 , the surgeon utilizes a pair of calipers or other measuring device to measure the anterior-posterior thickness of the patient&#39;s natural patella and calculate the level of bone resection. The amount of bone removed approximately corresponds to the thickness of the patella prosthetic component. In that way, after the patella prosthetic component is attached to the resected patella, the total thickness of the resected patella and the patella prosthetic component should be about the same as the thickness of the natural patella. 
     In block  704  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon assembles the resection guide  16  and attaches the resection guide  16  to the multifunctional handle  12 , as discussed previously in regard to  FIGS. 1-3 . The surgeon may begin by attaching the saw capture  64  to the clamp  52  before attaching the assembled resection guide  16  to the handle  12 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the surgeon may first attach the patella clamp  52  to the handle  12  prior to attaching the saw capture  64 . It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments the patella clamp  52  may be used without the saw capture  64 . 
     To attach the clamp  52  to the handle  12 , the surgeon aligns the mounting bracket  70  of the clamp  52  with the channel  336  defined in the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12 . The surgeon also aligns the slot  138  defined in the clamp  52  with the upper lever arm  48  of the handle  12 . The clamp  52  is then lowered onto the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12  such that the base  390  of the bracket  70  is received in the channel  336  and the upper lever arm  48  is received in the slot  138 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . As described above, the locking mechanism  24  engages with the mounting bracket  70  to secure the patella clamp  52  to the multifunctional handle  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the saw capture  64  is attached to the clamp  52  to complete the assembly of the resection guide  16 . To do so, the surgeon engages the mounting brackets  168 ,  170  of the saw capture  64  with the undercuts  458 ,  460  of the clamp  52 . When the brackets  168 ,  170  are seated in the undercuts  458 ,  460 , the user may press inwardly on the mounting arms  164 ,  166  such that the arms  164 ,  166  pivot about their respective joints  422 . While pressing inwardly on the mounting arms  164 ,  166 , the surgeon lowers the rear portion of the saw capture  64  into contact with clamp  52  and releases the mounting arms  164 ,  166 . The springs  434  connected to the arms urge the arms  164 ,  166  to pivot about their respective joints  422  such that the mounting arms  164 ,  166  engage with the undercuts  454 ,  456  of the clamp  52 , thereby securing the saw capture  64  to the clamp  52 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6A , the resection guide  16  is placed over the patient&#39;s patella such that the patella is positioned between the jaws  78 ,  114  in block  706  of the procedure  700 . To accommodate patellas of varying sizes, the surgeon may increase the space between the jaws  78 ,  114 . To do so, the surgeon operates the lever release mechanism  56  to move the jaw  114  away from the jaw  78 . 
     As described above, pressing down on the button  310  of the lever release mechanism  56  disengages the catch  296  from the teeth  282  formed on the lever  22 . When the catch  296  is not engaged with the teeth  282 , the spring  270  urges the lever  22  to pivot, thereby moving the trigger arm  50  away from the outer surface  244  of the grip  30  and simultaneously moving the upper lever arm  48  away from the closed end  44  of the channel  42 . As the lever arm  48  moves away from the closed end  44 , the lever arm  48  acts on the inner wall  136  of the slide arm  62  to move the jaw  114  away from the stationary jaw  78 . When the space between the jaws  78 ,  114  is large enough to fit the patient&#39;s patella, the surgeon releases the button  310 , the spring  318  urges the catch  296  back into engagement with the teeth  282 , thereby preventing additional movement of the slide arm  62  and hence the jaw  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an illustrative embodiment in which the resection guide  16  has been positioned over a patient&#39;s natural patella  630 . The patella  628  is positioned in the aperture  76  of the resection guide  16 . In that position, the stationary jaw  78  of the resection guide  16  is positioned adjacent to the lateral margin  632  of the patella  628 , and the movable jaw  114  is positioned adjacent to the medial margin  634  of the patella  628 . However, the teeth  80 ,  116  of the jaws  78 ,  114  are initially spaced apart from, and out of contact with, the patella  628 . 
     The posterior surface  636  of the patella  628  is placed in contact with the height gauge  172 , as best seen in  FIG. 10 . As described above, the lower surface  178  of the stylus arm  176  of the height gauge  172  is located at a predetermined height  652  above the planar upper surface  66 . Because the upper surface  66  defines the resection plane  142 , the predetermined height corresponds to the amount of bone to be removed during the patella resection. If too much bone is removed during the resection, the risk of fracture may be increased. To reduce that risk, the surgeon places the lower surface  178  in contact with the posterior-most point  638  of the patella  628 . 
     It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the surgeon may rotate the stylus arm  176  such that the height gauge  172  is moved out of the way, which allows the surgeon to further adjust the position of the patella  628  within the resection guide  16 . Additionally, in other embodiments, the height gauge  172  may be adjustable so that the surgeon may change the height of the stylus arm  176  relative to the upper surface  66  intraoperatively. It will be further appreciated that in some embodiments the height gauge  172  may be omitted from the assembly  10 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6A , the surgeon may adjust the medial-lateral tilt of the patella  628  within the resection guide  16  in block  708  of the procedure  700 . The term “medial-lateral tilt” is defined herein as the angle defined between the resection plane of the resection guide and a bisecting reference plane extending through a lateral margin and a medial margin of the patella. In the illustrative embodiment, the medial-lateral tilt of the patella  628  is set to approximately zero. 
     For example, to adjust the medial-lateral tilt of the patella  628 , the surgeon may rotate the patella  628  about an axis  640  extending in the superior-inferior direction through the patella  628 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a reference plane  630  defined by a lateral margin  632  and a medial margin  634  extends though the patella  628 . In the illustrative embodiment, the medial-lateral tilt is set when the reference plane  630  is aligned with the resection plane  142  so that the angle defined therebetween is approximately zero. It should be appreciated that the degree or amount of rotation depends on the bony anatomy of the particular patient. After adjusting the medial-lateral tilt of the patella  628 , the procedure  700  continues to block  710 . 
     In block  710  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon locks the medial-lateral tilt of the patella  628 . To do so, the surgeon operates the lever  22  to move the jaw  114  to engage the patella  628  with the elongated tooth  82  of the jaw  78  and the elongated tooth  118  of the jaw  114 . As described above, the upper lever arm  48  is advanced linearly toward the closed end  44  of the channel  42  when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the trigger arm  50  in the direction indicated by arrow  54 . The upper lever arm  48  acts on the inner wall  136  of the slide arm  62  to move the slide arm  62  along the axis  140 . As the slide arm  62  moves, the jaw  114  advances toward the stationary jaw  78  and the patella  628 . 
     As the jaw  114  advances toward the stationary jaw  78  and the patella  628 , the elongated tooth  82  of the jaw  78  engages the lateral margin  632  of the patella  628  and the elongated tooth  118  of the jaw  114  engages the medial margin  634 . When the tips  86 ,  122  of the teeth  82 ,  118  are sufficiently embedded in the patella  628 , the surgeon stops applying pressure to the lever  22 . In that position, which is illustratively shown in  FIG. 11 , the remaining teeth  80 ,  116  of the jaws  78 ,  114  are spaced apart from the patella  628 . With the teeth  82 ,  118  embedded in the patella  628 , rotation of the patella  628  about the axis  640  is prevented and the medial-lateral tilt of the patella  628  is locked. 
     In block  712  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon may adjust the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628 . The term “superior-inferior tilt” is defined herein as the angle defined between the resection plane of the resection guide and a bisecting reference plane extending through a superior margin and an inferior margin of the patella. In the illustrative embodiment, the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628  is set to approximately zero to ten degrees. 
     For example, to adjust the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628 , the surgeon may rotate the patella  628  about an axis  140  extending in the medial-lateral direction through the patella  628 . Because the patella  628  is engaged only by the teeth  82 ,  116  of the resection guide  16 , the surgeon may rotate the patella  628  about the axis  140  in either direction indicated by arrow  648 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , a reference plane  642  defined by a superior margin  644  and an inferior margin  646  of the patella  628  extends though the patella  628 . As the patella  628  is rotated, an angle  650  is defined between the reference plane  642  and the resection plane  142 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . The magnitude of the angle  650  corresponds to the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628 . In the illustrative embodiment, the patella  628  is rotated until the angle  650  has a magnitude of approximately zero to ten degrees. It should be appreciated that the degree or amount of rotation depends on the bony anatomy of the particular patient. After adjusting the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628 , the procedure  700  continues to block  714 . 
     In block  714  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon locks the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628 . To do so, the surgeon operates the lever  22  to move the jaw  114  and engage the patella  628  with the remaining teeth  80 ,  116  of the jaws  78 ,  114 . When the tips  92 ,  128  of the remaining teeth  80 ,  116  are sufficiently embedded in the patella  628 , the surgeon stops applying pressure to the lever  22 . With the teeth  80 ,  116  embedded in the patella  628 , further rotation of the patella  628  about the axes  140 ,  640  is prevented and both the medial-lateral tilt and the superior-inferior tilt of the patella  628  are locked, as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     After the patella  628  is locked in block  714 , the surgical procedure  700  shown in  FIG. 6A  continues to block  716  in which the patella is resected. To do so, the surgeon inserts a cutting saw blade  660  into one of the cutting slots  466  defined between the planar upper surface  66  of the clamp  52 , the lower walls  462  of the saw capture  64 , and the planar lower surface  154  of the saw capture  64 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the surgeon may insert the cutting saw blade  660  into the cutting slot  662  formed on the side  664  of the resection guide  16  corresponding to the superior side  668  of the patella  628 . The cutting slot  662  defines an axis  664  extending orthogonal to the axis  140  defined by the teeth  82 ,  118 . The blade  660  passes through the cutting slot  662  and contacts the superior side  668  of the patella  628 . 
     Following the resection plane  142  defined by the upper surface  66  of the clamp  52 , the surgeon may perform the resection cut on the patient&#39;s patella by moving the saw blade  660  back and forth within the cutting slot  662 . As the blade  660  cuts through the patella, another cutting slot  670  positioned opposite the cutting slot  662  receives the blade  660 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the cutting slot  670  is positioned on the side  672  of the resection guide  16  corresponding to the inferior side  674  of the patella  628 . After the patella  628  is resected, a remnant of the patella  628  (hereinafter referred to as the resected patella  676 ) is held between the jaws  78 ,  114  of the patella resection guide  16 . 
     As described previously, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the saw capture  64  may be omitted. In such embodiments, the surgeon places the cutting saw blade  660  in contact with the upper surface  66  and maintains that contact throughout the resection procedure. 
     Returning to  FIG. 6A , the procedure  700  continues to block  718  in which the surgeon removes resected patella  676  from the resection guide  16 . To do so, the surgeon again operates the lever release mechanism  56  to move the jaw  114  away from the jaw  78  and withdraw the teeth  80 ,  116  from the resected patella  676 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6B , the surgical procedure  700  advances to block  720  in which the surgeon may attach the drill guide  18  to the multifunctional handle  12 . To do so, the surgeon aligns the mounting bracket  70  of the drill guide  18  with the channel  336  defined in the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12 . The surgeon also aligns the slot  220  defined in the drill guide  18  with the upper lever arm  48  of the handle  12 . The drill guide  18  is then lowered onto the mounting surface  32  of the handle  12  such that the base  390  of the bracket  70  is received in the channel  336  and the upper lever arm  48  is received in the slot  220 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . As described above, the locking mechanism  24  engages with the mounting bracket  70  to secure the drill guide  18  to the multifunctional handle  12 . 
     In block  722  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon may position the resected patella  676  between the support bracket  180  and the drill bracket  182  of the drill guide  18 . To do so, the surgeon may rotate the gasket  184  of the drill guide  18  out of position between the brackets  180 ,  182 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the resected patella  676  may be positioned between the brackets  180 ,  182  such that an anterior surface  678  of the resected patella  676  faces the planar surface  532  of the backing plate  192  of the bracket  180  and a resected posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676  faces the planar surface  552  of the drill plate  222  of the bracket  182 . 
     The surgeon may use the drill guide  18  to size and select a patella prosthetic component  600 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the drill plate  222  has a rear face  682  that includes a plurality of indicators  684 , each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of patella sizes. An outer circumference  686  of the body  550  indicates a patella size with a narrow cross-sectional area while the outer circumference  688  of the drill plate  222  indicates a patella size with a wide cross-sectional area. A plurality of etch marks  690  positioned between the circumferences  686 ,  688  indicate intermediate patella sizes. Using the indicators  684 , the surgeon may select a patella prosthetic component  600  that offers the maximum coverage of the resected posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676 . 
     In block  724  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon may clamp the resected patella  676  between the brackets  180 ,  182 . To do so, the resected patella  676  is placed in contact with the backing plate  192  of the stationary arm  190  such that the teeth  542  of the backing plate  192  engage the anterior surface  678  of the resected patella  676 . With the gasket  184  rotated out from the brackets  180 ,  182 , the surgeon may operate the lever  22  of the multifunctional handle  12  to advance the drill plate  222  of the drill bracket  182  into contact with the resected posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676 . In particular, the surgeon squeezes the lever  22  to apply a predetermined amount of force to the trigger arm  50 . The upper lever arm  48  acts on the inner wall  218  of the drill bracket  182  to advance the moveable arm  212  along the axis  140 . As the moveable arm  212  of the drill bracket  182  moves, the drill plate  222  advances into contact with the posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676 , thereby engaging the teeth  562  of the drill plate  222  with the surface  680  and fixing the resected patella  676  between the brackets  180 ,  182  of the drill guide  18 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     In block  726  of the procedure  700 , the posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676  is surgically-prepared to receive the patella prosthetic component  610 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the surgeon may drill a series of pilot holes in the posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676  that correspond to the position of the pegs  616  of the component  610 . To do so, the surgeon may insert a surgical drill  692  into each of the guide holes  560  defined in the drill plate  222 . The drill  692  passes through the guide hole  560  and contacts the posterior surface  680 . The surgeon activates the drill and advances the drill  692  along the guide hole  560  until a pilot hole of sufficient depth is formed in the resected patella  676 . The surgeon may then repeat the drilling operation at each of the guide holes  560  until the required pilot holes are created. 
     Returning to  FIG. 6B , the procedure  700  continues to block  728  in which the surgeon may position the patella prosthetic component  610  on the surgically-prepared posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676 . The surgeon may apply cement to the anterior surface  614  of the component  610 . After the component  610  is positioned over the resected patella  676 , the pegs  616  may be advanced into the pilot holes formed in the surgically-prepared posterior surface  680  of the resected patella  676  until the anterior surface  614  is placed into contact with the posterior surface  680 . The compression gasket  184  is then rotated back into position between the drill bracket  182  and the component  610 . In that position, the plugs  592  of the compression gasket  184  are received in the guide holes  560  of the drill plate  222 . 
     In block  730  of the procedure  700 , the surgeon may clamp the component  610  to the resected patella  676 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . To do so, the surgeon may squeeze the lever  22  to apply a predetermined amount of force to the trigger arm  50 . The upper lever arm  48  acts on the inner wall  218  of the drill bracket  182  to advance the moveable arm  212  along the axis  140 . As the moveable arm  212  of the drill bracket  182  is moved, the compression gasket  184  is advanced into contact with the posterior bearing surface  612  of the component  610 . The component  610  is seated within and stabilized by the concave surface  600  of the gasket  184  such that the component  610  is clamped firmly to the resected patella  676  until polymerization is complete and the component  610  is secured to the resected patella  676 . 
     It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, other patella resection guides can be used with the multifunctional handle  12 . Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly  10  is shown with a different embodiment of a patella resection guide (hereinafter referenced as a resection guide  800 ). Some features of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18  are substantially similar to those discussed above in reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-17 . Such features are designated in  FIG. 18  with the same reference numbers as those used in  FIGS. 1-17 . 
     The resection guide  800  includes a patella clamp  802  and a saw capture  64  configured to be removably coupled to the clamp  802 . The clamp  802  includes a body  804  and a slide arm  62  moveably coupled to the body  804 . Like the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-17 , the body  804  is formed from an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the body  804  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or UHMWPE. The body  804  has a substantially planar upper surface  66  and a lower surface  68  positioned opposite the upper surface  66 . A mounting bracket  70 , which is configured to be secured to the handle  12  via the locking mechanism  24 , extends downwardly from the lower surface  68 . When the clamp  802  is secured to the handle  12 , the lower surface  68  of the clamp  802  is supported by the mounting surface  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the upper surface  66  of the body  804  has an opening  72  defined therein. The body  804  includes a curvilinear inner wall  74  that extends downwardly from the upper surface  66  to the lower surface  68  and defines an oval-shaped aperture  76  through the body  804 . Like the aperture  76  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-17 , the aperture  76  is sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella. 
     The body  804  of the patella clamp  802  also includes a jaw  808  extending from the inner wall  74 . The jaw  808  has a plurality of teeth  810  that extend inwardly into the aperture  76 . The teeth  810  include a pair of elongated teeth  812 ,  814 . Each tooth  812 ,  814  has a base  816 , a tip  818 , and a length  820  from the base  816  to the tip  818  that is greater than any of the other teeth  810 . The tips  822  of the remaining teeth  810  define an arc  824  within the aperture  76 . The tips  818  of the teeth  812 ,  814  extend beyond the arc  824  into the aperture  76 . 
     The body  804  of the clamp  802  further includes a track  100 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the slide arm  62  is positioned in the track  100  and is configured to slide along the track  100 . The slide arm  62  has a main body  108 , which includes a moveable jaw  114  formed opposite the jaw  808 . The jaw  114  has a plurality of teeth  116  that extend toward the jaw  808 . The teeth  116  include an elongated tooth  118  that has a length greater than any of the other teeth  116 . 
     In use, when the patella resection guide  16  is coupled to the handle  12 , the lever arm  48  is configured to act on the slide arm  62  to move the jaw  114  relative to the stationary jaw  808 . As the upper lever arm  48  moves along the axis  58  relative to the housing  20 , the slide arm  62  advances along the track  100 , thereby moving the jaw  114  relative to the stationary jaw  78 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the slide arm  62  moves along an axis  140  that is defined by the tooth  118  of the moveable jaw  114 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the teeth  812 ,  814  of the stationary jaw  808  are offset from the axis  140  defined by the tooth  118  of the moveable jaw  114 . In the illustrative embodiment, the axis  140  is positioned between the teeth  812 ,  814 , and the teeth  812 ,  814  are positioned equidistant from the axis  140 . An axis  826  is defined between the tooth  118  and the tooth  812 , and another axis  828  is defined between the tooth  119  and the tooth  814 . Each of the axes  826 ,  828  extend at an angle relative to the axis  140 . 
     In use, a patient&#39;s patella may be positioned in the aperture  76  of the resection guide  800 . After adjusting the medial-lateral tilt as described above, the surgeon may lock the medial-lateral tilt of the patella by operating the lever  22  to move the jaw  114  to engage the patella with the elongated tooth  118  and one of the elongated teeth  812 ,  814 . When the tooth  118  and the tip  818  of the tooth  812  or tooth  814  are sufficiently embedded in the patella, the surgeon may stop applying pressure to the lever  22 . In that position, the remaining teeth  116 ,  810  of the jaws  114 ,  808  are spaced apart from the patella. With the tooth  118  and one of the elongated teeth  812 ,  814  embedded in the patella, rotation of the patella about an axis extending the inferior-superior direction is prevented and the medial-lateral tilt of the patella is locked. The surgeon may then set the superior-inferior tilt by rotating the patella about one of the axes  818 ,  820  before engaging the patella with remaining teeth  116 ,  810  of the resection guide  800 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , another embodiment of a patella resection guide (hereinafter referenced as a resection guide  900 ) is shown. Some features of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 19  are substantially similar to those discussed above in reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-17 . Such features are designated in  FIG. 19  with the same reference numbers as those used in  FIGS. 1-17 . The resection guide  900  including a frame  902  having a mounting bracket  70  extending downwardly therefrom. As discussed above, the mounting bracket  70  is configured to be secured to the handle  12  via the locking mechanism  24 . 
     The frame  902  includes a body  904  and a clamping or slide arm  62  that is moveably coupled to the body  904 . The frame  902  is formed from an implant grade metallic material such as steel, titanium, or cobalt chromium. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the body  904  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or ultra-high molecular weight polypropylene (UHMWPE). 
     The body  904  of the resection guide  900  has an upper surface  906 , a bottom surface  908 , and an outer wall  910  connecting the surfaces  906 ,  908 . A curvilinear inner wall  912  extends downwardly from the upper surface  906 . The curvilinear inner wall  912  defines a substantially elliptical or oval-shaped aperture  914  through the body  904 . The aperture  914  is sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella, as will be described in greater detail below. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the aperture  914  may have a different size or shape, such as, for example, a square, rectangle, or other shape properly sized to receive a patient&#39;s patella. 
     The body  904  also includes a pair of cutting guide slots  916 ,  918  on each side thereof. Each of the slots  916 ,  918  extends from an opening  920  defined in the outer wall  910  to an opening  922  defined in the inner wall  912 . Planar surfaces  924 ,  926  extending between the openings  920 ,  922  define the bottom surfaces of the slots  916 ,  918 , respectively. The surfaces  924 ,  926  further define a resection plane  142  that extends through the patella when the patella is positioned in the aperture  914 . 
     The body  904  also includes a jaw  78  extending from the inner wall  912 . The jaw  78  is embodied as a plurality of teeth  80  that extend inwardly into the aperture  914 . The teeth  80  include an elongated tooth  82  having a length greater than any of the other teeth  80  like the elongated tooth  82  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-17 . Opposite the jaw  78 , the body  904  has a track  928  defined therein. The track  928  extends between an opening (not shown) defined in the inner wall  908  and an opening  930  defined in the outer wall  910 . 
     The slide arm  62  of the frame  902  is positioned in the track  928  and is configured to slide along the track  928 . The slide arm  62  has a main body  108  including an end  110  positioned opposite the jaw  78  of the body  60  and another end  112  configured to engage the lever  22  of the multifunctional handle  12 . 
     The slide arm  62  also includes a moveable jaw  114  formed at the end  110  opposite the jaw  78 . The jaw  114  is embodied as a plurality of teeth  116  that extend toward the jaw  78 . The teeth  116  include an elongated tooth  118 . The elongated tooth  118 , like the elongated tooth  118  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-17 , has a length that is greater than any of the other teeth  116 . 
     In use, a patient&#39;s patella is positioned between the jaws  78 ,  114 , and the teeth  80 ,  116  of the jaws  78 ,  114  are configured to engage the patient&#39;s patella to hold the patella in position during a resection procedure. The planar surfaces  924 ,  926  are usable by the orthopaedic surgeon to guide the surgical saw blade during the resection procedure and thereby define the resection plane  142  through the patella. 
     While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. 
     There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the method, apparatus, and system described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the method, apparatus, and system of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the method, apparatus, and system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.