Patent ID: 8366771

Claim:
A method of making a patient-specific surgical tool having at least one surface portion derived from image data of a joint of a patient, the method comprising: obtaining image data associated with at least a portion of the joint of the patient; obtaining additional information related to the joint of the patient, wherein the additional information includes information about surface shape and/or geometry, and/or cartilage thickness of at least a portion of the joint of the patient; determining at least one of a mechanical and an anatomical axis associated with the joint; generating a surgical tool based in part on the image data of the patient and the additional information, wherein the surgical tool includes at least one surface portion having a shape that substantially conforms to a corresponding surface portion of the joint of the patient, and includes a guide having a predetermined position relative to the surface portion such that the guide defines a predetermined cutting or drilling path relative to the mechanical axis when the surface portion is aligned with and placed against the corresponding surface portion of the joint, and wherein the predetermined cutting or drilling path defines at least in part a planned flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation angle of an orthopedic implant relative to the joint of the patient when the orthopedic implant is implanted in the joint.