AU2013245552A1 - Distal femoral knee prostheses - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to orthopedic prosthetic devices and, in particular, to distal femoral knee prostheses. The present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end. The set of distal femoral prostheses includes a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and have increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis. The set of distal femoral prostheses wherein at least some of said prostheses having a said distal taper angle greater than or equal to approximately 21 .

Description

DISTAL FEMORAL KNEE PROSTHESES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 5 [0001] This application is a Divisional of Australian Patent Application No. 2006325787, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND 10 [0002] Field of the Invention. [0003] The present invention relates generally to orthopedic prosthetic devices and, in particular, to distal femoral knee prostheses. [0004] Description of the Related Art. [0005] Disease and trauma affecting the articular surfaces of a knee joint are 15 commonly effectively treated by surgically replacing the articulating ends of the femur and tibia with prosthetic femoral and tibial implants or prostheses according to a procedure known as a total knee replacement ("TKR.") or a total knee arthroplasty ("TKA"). The femoral and tibial implants are made of materials that exhibit a low coefficient of friction as they articulate against one another to restore normal knee 20 function. [0006] Although distal femoral knee prostheses are provided in a range of varying sizes and are selected by surgeons to best fit the anatomy of a particular patient, improvements in the design of distal femoral knee prostheses are desired. The above discussion of background art is included to explain the context of the 25 present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any of the documents or other material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia at the priority date of any one of the claims of this specification. 30 SUMMARY [0007] The disclosure contained herein includes a set of distal femoral knee prostheses which are designed to be more narrow in medial/lateral ("M/L") dimensions

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with increasing anterior/posterior ("AP") size than existing prostheses to more closely correspond to the physical anatomy of female patients. The prostheses are designed to have a substantially trapezoidal shape or profile when viewed distally which features a more pronounced narrowing of the M/L dimensions beginning at the posterior end of 5 the prostheses and progressing anteriorly to the anterior end of the prostheses. Additionally, the prostheses each include a reduced profile patellar sulcus and reduced profile anterior condyles to more closely conform to the anatomy of a resected femur, and also include sulcus tracking 10 which is optimized to conform to female anatomy. [0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater 15 overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; at least some 20 of the prostheses having a distal taper angle greater than or equal to approximately 210. 100091 In another aspect, the present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a 25 plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses each having an overall anterior/posterior dimension defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and a medial/lateral dimension defined between points located most medially and most laterally at anterior/posterior locations substantially equidistant from the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and the posterior end of the 30 distal nonarticulating surface; at least some of the prostheses having an overall anterior/posterior dimension and a medial/lateral dimension falling below a conceptual boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a second point, the first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an 2 approximately 55.0 medial/lateral dimension, and the second point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 78.5 medial/lateral dimension; wherein the line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension)= (0.94 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) + 6.12. 5 [0010] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly 10 greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; at least some of the prostheses having an 15 overall anterior/posterior dimension and a medial/lateral dimension falling below a conceptual boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a second point, the first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 50.0 medial/lateral dimension, and the second point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 70.5 20 medial/lateral dimension; wherein the line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension)= (0.82 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) + 7.36. 100111 The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface and an anterior nonarticulating surface, including a plurality of 25 standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by a distal most point on the anterior 30 nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; at least some of the prostheses having an overall anterior/posterior dimension and a medial/lateral dimension falling below a conceptual boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a second point, the first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an 3 approximately 40.1 medial/lateral dimension, and the second point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 53.5 medial/lateral dimension; wherein the line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension)= (0.54 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) + 12.23. 5 [0012] The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface and an anterior nonarticulating surface, including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall I anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on 10 each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by a distal most point on the anterior nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; at least some of the prostheses having an overall anterior/posterior dimension and a medial/lateral dimension falling below a 15 conceptual boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a second point, the first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 40.3 medial/lateral dimension, and the second point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 51.8 medial/lateral dimension; wherein the line is defined by the following equation: 20 (medial/lateral dimension) = (0.46 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) 16.38. [0013] The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of prostheses each having an overall anterior/posterior dimension defined 25 between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and a medial/lateral dimension defined between points located most medically and most laterally at anterior/posterior locations substantially equidistant from the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface; at least some of the overall anterior/posterior dimensions and the 30 medial/lateral dimensions falling within a conceptual boundary defined by an upper line and a lower line, the upper line connecting a first point and a third point, the lower line connecting a second point and a fourth point, the first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 55.0 4 medial/lateral dimension, the second point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 47.0 medial/lateral dimension, the third point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 78.5 medial/lateral dimension, and the fourth point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 70.0 medial/lateral dimension; wherein the upper line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension) = (0.94 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) + 6.12; and wherein the lower line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension) = (0.92 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) - 0.84. 10 [0014] The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly 15 and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location substantially equidistant from the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing 20 at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increasing at a second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.89. [00151 The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal 25 nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an 30 anterior/posterior location substantially equidistant from the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increasing at a 5 second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.75. [00161 The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, including a plurality of standard aspect ratio 5 prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medial ly and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined at a location proximate the most posteriorly located point on each 10 prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increasing at a second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.96. [0017] The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses 15 particularly adapted for female anatomy, including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined at a location 20 proximate the most posteriorly located point on each prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increasing at a second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.84. [0018] The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses 25 particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater 30 medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior 6 dimensions respectively increasing at a second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.78. [00191 The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most 10 laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increasing at a second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0 76. 15 [0020] The present disclosure provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface and an anterior nonarticulating surface, including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most 20 posteriorly on each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by a distal most point on the anterior nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; the medial/lateral dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior 25 dimensions respectively increasing at a second rate, the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.44. 100211 In another aspect, the present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, including a 30 plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; the distal taper angles of the prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, the overall anterior/posterior dimensions of the prostheses respectively increasing at a second rate, 5 the first rate and the second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or greater than 0.22. [0022] In still another aspect, the present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, 10 including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the 15 posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; at least some of the overall anterior/posterior dimensions and the distal taper angles falling within a conceptual boundary defined by an upper boundary and a lower boundary, the upper boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a third point, the lower boundary defined by a line connecting a second point and a fourth point, the first point 20 having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 27.00 distal taper angle, the second point having an approximately 58.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 22.5' distal taper angle, the third point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 32.00 distal taper angle, and 25 the fourth point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 26.0' distal taper angle. 100231 In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, 30 including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the 8 distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis; at least some of the overall anterior/posterior dimensions and the distal taper angles falling within a conceptual boundary defined by an upper boundary and a lower boundary, the upper 5 boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a third point, the lower boundary defined by a line connecting a second point and a fourth point, the first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 34.0' distal taper angle, the second point having an approximately 58.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 22.5' distal taper angle, the 10 third point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 32.0' distal taper angle, and the fourth point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 26.0 distal taper angle. [0024] The present disclosure provides a distal femoral prosthesis, including a 15 non-articulating surface including a distal plane and an anterior non-articular surface; lateral and medial anterior condyles; a patellar sulcus defined between the condyles, the patellar sulcus having a maximum thickness between approximately 2.5 mm and 3.2 mm between an anterior most point on the sulcus and the anterior non-articular surface. 20 [0025] The present disclosure provides a distal femoral prosthesis, including a non-articulating surface including a distal plane and an anterior non articular surface; lateral and medial anterior condyles each defining an anterior articular surface, at least one of the condyles having a maximum thickness between approximately 4.0 min and 6.1 mm between an anterior most point on the anterior articular surface of the condyle 25 and the anterior non-articular surface. [0026] The present disclosure provides a distal femoral prosthesis, including a patellar sulcus disposed between lateral and medial anterior condyles of the prosthesis, the sulcus having an end point; a non-articulating surface having a distal plane; and a lateralization distance defined at the end point between a first line extending from an 30 intersection of the distal plane and the sulcus and the end point, the lateralization distance greater than 5.0 mm. 9 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] The above-menti oned and other features and advantages of this 5 invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 100281 Fig. I is a side view of an exemplary distal femoral prosthesis in 10 accordance with the present invention; [0029] Fig. 2 is another side view of the prosthesis of Fig. 1, illustrating certain dimensions thereof; [0030] Fig. 3 is a distal view of the prosthesis of Fig. 2, viewed along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and shown superimposed on a known prosthesis; 15 [0031] Fig. 4 further illustrates the anatomical M vs. A/P dimensional relationship of the prosthesis of Fig. 3 at dimension "B-B"; [0032] Fig. 5 is a graph illustrating a representative anatomical mid-box M/L vs. A/P dimensional relationship with respect to male and female femurs of various size; 20 [0033] Fig. 5A is a view of an anatomic overall A/P dimension for a representative femur; 100341 Fig. 58 is a view of an anatomic mid-box M/L dimension for a representative femur; [0035] Fig. 6 is a graph of mid-box M/L vs. overall A/P for prostheses 25 designed in accordance with the present invention as compared with several known prostheses; 9a [00361 Fig. 7 is a graph of anterior MIL along a dimension "B-B" vs. overall A/P for prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention as compared with several known prostheses; [0037] Fig. 8 is a graph of posterior MIL vs. overall A/P for prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention as compared with several known prostheses; [00381 Fig. 9 is a graph of the ratio of (mid-box M/L / overall AP) vs. overall AP for the prostheses of Fig. 6; [0039] Fig. 10 is a graph of the ratio of (anterior NL along dimension "B-B" / overall A/P) vs. overall A/P for the prostheses of Fig. 7; [0040] Fig. 11 is a graph of the ratio of (posterior MI/L overall AlP) vs. overall A/P for the prostheses of Fig. 8; [0041] Fig. 12 is a distal view of an exemplary prosthesis designed in accordance with the present invention, shown superimposed on a known prosthesis and illustrating the profiles and the distal taper angles of same; [0042] Fig. 13 is a graph of distal taper angle vs. overall A/P for prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention as compared with several known prostheses; [0043] Fig. 14 is a distal view of an exemplary prosthesis; [0044] Fig. 15 is a side view of the prosthesis of Fig, 14, illustrating the recessed patelar sulcus thereof as compared with a known prosthesis; [00451 Fig. 16 is another side view of the prosthesis of Fig. 14, illustrating the reduced profile of the anterior condyles thereof as compared with a known prosthesis; [0046] Fig. 17A is an AlP view of a known prosthesis having conventional sulcus tracing; [00471 Fig. 17B is an A/P view of an exemplary prosthesis in accordance with the present invention having a more lateralized sulcus tracking; [0048] Fig, 18 is a graph of A-A M/L vs. overall A/P for prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention as compared with several known prostheses; and [0049] Fig. 19 is a graph of the ratio of (A-A M/L / overall AP) vs. overall A/P for the prostheses of Fig. 18. [0050) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein lustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention any manner. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0051] As used herein, the following directional definitions apply. Anterior and posterior mean nearer the front or nearer the rear of the body, respectively. Thus, with respect to the prostheses described herein, anterior refers to that portion of the knee that is nearer the front of the body, when the leg is in an extended position. Proximal and distal mean nearer to or further from the root of a structure, respectively. For example, the distal femur is a part of the knee joint while the proximal femur is part of the hip joint. Finally, the adjectives medial and lateral mean nearer the sagittal plane or further from the sagittal plane, respectfully. The sagittal plane is an imaginary vertical plane through the middle of the body that divides the body into right and left halves. [0052] Distal femoral knee prostheses made in accordance with the present invention are intended to be used to restore knee joint function in patients with severe pain and disability due, for example, to Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis polyarthritis; colagen disorders, and/or avascular necrosis of the femoral condyle; post traumatic loss of joint configuration, particularly when there is patelofemoral erosion, dysfunction or prior patellectomy; moderate valgus, varus, flexion deformities, or other conditions. [0053] Referring initially to Fig. 1, a distal femoral prosthesis 50 for a TKR/TKA according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, and generally includes an external articulating surface 52 and a bone contacting non-articulating internal surface 54. Articulating surface 52 includes an anterior articulating surface 56, a distal articulating surface 58, a lateral posterior condylar articulating surface 60, and a medial posterior condylar articulating surface 62. Prosthesis 50 may be made of any biocompatible material having the mechanical properties necessary to function as a human knee distal femoral prosthesis. Preferably, prosthesis 50 is made of titanium, titanium alloy, cobalt chrome alloy, stainless steel, or a ceramic. Referring additionally to Fig. 3, prosthesis 50 further includes patellar flange 64 including lateral and medial anterior condyles 66 and 68, respectively, as well as patellar sulcus 70 disposed between lateral and medial anterior condyles 66 and 63. Prosthesis also includes lateral and medial posterior condyles 72 and 74, respectively. [0054] Referring to Fig. 1, the internal non-articulating portion 54 of prosthesis 50 is adapted to receive a resected distal femur. The surgical cuts made to the distal femur can be made by any means, in any sequence and in any configuration known to those of skill in the 11 art of knee arthroplasty. Exemplary cut guides and processes for resecting the distal femur are shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/151,062, entitled ADJUSTABLE CUT GUIDE, filed on June 13, 2005 (Attorney Docket Ref.: ZIM0231) and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/154,774, entitled MULTI-POSITIONABLE CUT GUIDE, filed on June 16, 2005 (Attorney Docket Ref,: ZIM0234), assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. [0055] In a preferred embodiment, prosthesis 50 comprises a plurality of chamfer surfaces corresponding to a plurality of chamfer surfaces or "box cuts" made in the distal femur. Non-articular surface 54 may comprise a porous metal surface or any surface likely to promote the growth of bone therein. Non-articular surface 54 of prosthesis 50 preferably comprises anterior non-articular surface 76, distal anterior non-articular stuface 78, distal non-articular surface 80, two distal posterior non-articular surfaces 82, and two posterior non articular surfaces 84. [0056] Distal non-articular surface 80 is generally flat and adapted to receive the distal-most surface of the rejected femur. Distal non-articular surface 80 comprises an anterior end and a posterior end. The anterior end of distal non-articular surface 80 abuts one end of distal anterior non-articular surface 78, which surface 78 also includes an anterior end and a posterior end. Surface 78 extends from surface 80 anteriorly and superiorly such that an obtuse angle is formed between surfaces 78 and 80. Anterior non-articular surface 76 extends superiorly from the anterior end of surface 78. [0057] The posterior end of distal non-articular surface 80 abuts one end of each distal posterior non-articular surface 82, which surfaces 82 also include an anterior end and a posterior end. Surfaces 82 extend from surface 80 posteriorly and superiorly such that an obtuse angle is formed between surfaces 82 and 80. Posterior non-articular surfaces 84 extend superiorly from the posterior ends of surfaces 82, respectively. [0058] As discussed in detail below, for many patients, particularly female patients, it is desirable to construct a set of prostheses 50 of varying size wherein the medial/lateral ("M/L") width dimensions of the prostheses correspond more closely to the actual anatomical M/L width dimensions of the female femur and articulating surfaces. As described below, prostheses 50 addresses this concern by offering the surgeon a set of narrower prosthesis in the M/L dimensions for a given set of anterior/posterior ("A/P") prosthesis sizes which will allow the surgeon to use a prosthesis with both a correct A/P size and more accurate and optimized i/L dimensions to provide optimal prosthesis sizing and joint kinematics as compared to conventional prostheses. 12 [0059] La Fig. 3, the profile 86 of prosthesis 50 is superimposed upon profile 88 of a known prosthesis. As described in detail below, prosthesis 50 has a unique, substantially trapezoidal shape or profile 86 when viewed distally with a more pronounced narrowing of the M/L dimensions as compared to the shape or profile 88 of a known prosthesis starting, with reference to the resected femur, at the posterior distal facet and progressing anteriorly to the anterior distal facet, Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, prosthesis 50 is shown and is chameterized below with reference to the following directions: anterior "A", posterior "P, distal "D", proximal "PR", medial "M" and lateral "L, as well as the following dimensions. Dimension "Posterior" is the M/L width at the widest point across the posterior condyles 72, 74 of prosthesis 50, Dimension C-C" is the M[L width at the junction of the posterior distal facet and the distal plane, i.e, the MIL width along the intersection between distal non articular surface 80 and distal posterior non-articular surfaces 82. Dimension "B-B" is the MI/L width at the junction of the distal plane and the distal anterior facet, i.e,, the M/L width along the intersection between distal non-articular surface 80 and distal anterior non-articular surface 78, Dimension "A-A" is the M/L width at the junction of the distal anterior facet and the posterior side of the anterior flange, i.e., the M/L width along the intersection of distal anterior non-articular surface 78 and anterior non-articular surface 76. Dimension "lMB" is the ML width at a "mid-box" point of prosthesis 50, i.e., along a line located on distal non articular surface 80 substantially midway between Dimension C-C and Dimension B-B. [0060] As described below, the profiles of a set of prostheses 50 can also be described in terms of an increasing narrowing of the M/L dimensions relative to known prostheses on a per size basis. It has been observed that, for given female femurs, for example, the M/L dimensions are sometimes smaller than those of known prostheses of the proper A/P dimension. This discrepancy is small on the smaller A/P size prostheses and increases as the A/P size increases. For example, referring to Fig. 5, a representative mid-box MIL vs. AIP dimensional relationship with respect to the actual human anatomy of distal femurs for males and females is shown. Representative female data is generally grouped together at lower values of mid-box ML and representative male data is generally grouped together at higher values of mid-box ML. Best fit lines for female and male data have been included on Fig. 5 to show the general trend of representative mid-box MIL dimensions. As may be seen from Fig. 5, there exists a clear distinction between the representative M/L dimension vs, the A/P dimension for a female distal femur as compared to a male distal femur, Figs. 5A and 5B show exemplary anatomic overall A/P and mid-box MAL dimensions for a representative femur. 13 [0061] In Fig, 2, the overall A/P ("Overall A/P") dimension is the distance between two lines perpendicular to distal non-articular surface 80 that pass through the most posterior point on the posterior face of exterior articulating surface 58 and through the most anterior point on the anterior face of exterior articulating surface 58, respectively. Fig. 2 also shows a dashed outline of a resected femur with prosthesis 50 positioned thereon. [00621 As an exemplary comparison, the dimensions "Posterior", "B-B", "A-A", and "Overall A/F" and the ratios of these values for conventional prostheses ("Conventional 1" including five increasing sizes C through G) are compared with corresponding dimensions and ratios of a set of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention ("Embodiment 1", including five increasing sizes C through 0). These values are presented in Table I below. Unless otherwise indicated, all numerical dimensional values presented herein are in millimeters ("mm"). Table I Embodiment I Conventional I. Overall 'overall SIZE A/P Post, "B-Bi "A-A" A/P "Post" "B-B" "A-A C 52.2-58.0 49.6 41 535i 60.0 536 451 D 56.3 61.3 1 5 42.6 57.6 640 55.8 46.5 E 60.2 64.553.5 43.7 615 680 59. 49.1 64.2 67.9 55A 45.0 65.4 72 63 2 52.0 G 69.2 7L, 57.3 46,3 704 76.5 67 562

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_ _ _ Embodiment -M/L / "Overal Conventional 1 - M./L / "Overal AP" RATIOS A/P" RATIOS Overall Overall. SIZE A/P "Post." "B-B" "A-A" A/P "Post," "B-B" "A-A" C 52.2 1.11 05 0.79 53.5 -12 1.00 0.84 563 1.09 0.92 076 57.6 L 11 0.97 0.81 E 60.2 107 0.89 0.73 61 5 .11 0.96 0.80 F 64.2 1.06 0.86 10.70 1 65.4 1 10 0.97 029 Cx 69.2 L 0.83 0.67 704 1.09 0.96 0.80 [00631 Table 2 below sets forth the results of a first order equation fit to data sets for. several sets of prostheses including Conventional 1, Conventional 2 (which is similar to Conventional 1), Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 (which is similar to Embodiment 1), as well as five other sets of known competitive prostheses, designated Competitive 1, Competitive 2, Competitive 3, Competitive 4, and Competitive 5. The data sets include Posterior MI vs. Overall A/P and the Ratio (Posterior M/L vs. Overall A/P) vs. Overall A/P. 14 Table 2, Ratio (Posterior M/L / Overall PosteriorMlL A/P) vs. Overall A/P vs. Overall AlP Best fit regression line Best fit regression line Equation Slope Equation Slope y =0.9811x + Conventional 1 7.595 0.9811 y -0.002x + L2277 -0.0020 y = 0.9878x + -- - y =-0.0015x + Conventional 2 6.0634 0.9878 L1798 -0.0015 y = 0.8036x + y = -0.0044x + Embodiment 1 16.228 0.8036 L3431 -0.0044 y = 0.809x 4 y -0.0039x + Embodiment 2 14.987 0.8090 1.2965 -0.0039 y = 0411x y= -0.0016x+ Competitive 1 7.1008 0.9411 11565 -0.0016 y =: .987x y -0,0017x + Competitive 2 6.8225 0,9870 .2015 -0.0017 y = 0.976x + y =--0.0013x + Competitive 3 5.7825 09760 11521 -0.0013 y = 0.9757x+ y = -0.0016x ± Competitive 4 6-6279 0.9757 1.1836 -0.0016 y =0.9336x + y =-0.0031x + Competitive 5 11.318 0.9336 1.3111 _0.0031 [00641 From the data in Table 2, it may be seen that there is a difference in the slopes of the sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2 as compared to the slopes of the sets of the known prostheses, In particular, it may be seen from the data in Table 2 that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2 have a narrowing posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by slopes less than 0.93, for example, as opposed to a substantially parallel or one-to-one relationship between the posterior M/L dimension and the AlP dimension with increasing A/P size as in the sets of known prostheses, as indicated by slopes of 0.93 and above. Thus, in the sets of known prostheses, the posterior M/L dimension and the A/P dimension increase at substantially the same rate with increasing A/P size. Also, the slope of the ratio (posterior M/L / overall A/P) vs. overall A/P is less than -0.0032 for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 1 and 2 while the corresponding slope for the known sets of prostheses is greater than -0.0032, indicating that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2 have an increasingly more pronounced narrowing of the posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size. In this manner, the sets of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant posterior M/L widths with varying A/P size for an overall system or set of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses 15 are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [00651 Table 3 below sets forth the results of a first order equation fit to data sets for several sets of prostheses including Conventional 1, Conventional 2 (which is similar to Conventional 1), Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 (which is similar to Embodiment 1), as well as five other sets of known competitive prostheses, designated Competitive , Competitive 2, Competitive 3, Competitive 4, and Competitive 5, The data sets include B-B MIL vs. Overall A/P and the Ratio (B-B M/L vs. Overall A.P) vs, Overall A/P. Table 3. Ratio (Anterior M/L B-B" / Anterior M/L "B-B" Overall A/P) vs. Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P Best fit regression line Best fit regression line Ectuation Slope - Eqation- Slope Conventional 1 y = 0.834x + 8.3768 0.8340 y = -0.0023x -+ 1.112 -0,0023 y =08432x + y = -0.0018x + Conventional 2 6.9003 0.8432 1.0681 -0.0018 y =0.4626x + y = -0.0071x + Embodiment 1 25.012 0.4626 13 3173 -0.0071 y 0.4626x + y = -0.0066x + Embodiment 2 25.012 0.4626 L2797 -0.0066 y =0.9062x + y -0.0007x + Competitive 1 3.2306 0,9062 1.0017 -0.0007 y 0.8057x + y = -0.0031x + Competitive 2 12.588 0.8057 1.2033 -0.0031. y = -0.00 12x + Competitive 3 y =0.893x±+ 5.5381 0.8930 L0578 -0.0012 y = 1.0588x + y -0.0001x + Competitive 4 0.1731 L0588 1.0697 -0.0001 y=0.7937x + Competitive 5 12.218 0.7937 j = -0,0036x + 1.217 -0.0036 [0066] From the data in Table 3, it may be seen that there is a significant difference in slope for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2 as compared with the slopes of the known sets of prostheses. The magnitudes of the anterior M/L "B-B" values for a given A/P dimension are more pronounced, i.e., the variance in width at dimension B-B, namely, an anterior width, over various A/P sizes between the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 1 and 2 and the known sets of prostheses is more dramatically pronounced. Specifically, sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2 have a narrowing anterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by slopes less than 0.78, for example, as opposed to a 16 substantially parallel or one-to-one relationship between the anterior M/L dimension and the A/P dimension wi th increasing A/P size as in the sets of known prostheses, as indicated by slopes of 0.78 and above. Thus, in the sets of known prostheses, the anterior M/L dimension and the A/P dimension increase at substantially the same rate with increasing A/P size. Also, the slope of the ratio (anterior M/L "B-B" / overall A/P) vs. overall A/P is greater than 0.003 8 for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2, while the corresponding slope for the known sets of prostheses is less than -0.0038, indicating that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments I and 2 have increasingly more pronounced narrowing of the anterior M/L "B B" dimension with increasing A/P size. In this manner, the prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant M/L widths as an overall system of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [0067] As another exemplary comparison, the dimensions "Posterior", "MB", "B-B", and "Overall AiP" for conventional prostheses ("Conventional 3", "Conventional 4", and "Conventional 5" including five increasing sizes C through G) are compared with corresponding dimensions of a set of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention ("Embodiment 3", "Embodiment 4", and "Embodiment 5" including five increasing sizes C through G). In one embodiment, the values for Conventional 5 and Embodiment 5 may be average values of Conventionals 3 and 4 and Embodiments 3 and 4, respectively. These values are presented in Table 4 below. Table 4, Embodiment 4 Conventional 4 P ost rio - -- SIZE Overallt P8sterior BI R-B Overall A/P Posterior MB B-B 533 58.0 559 50.2 54.460.058.6453.6 D_ 8. 553,6 57.5 61.4 58.4 52.0 58.6 64.0 62.1 55.8 E 61,2 64, 60.8 54.0 62.5 680 65.9 59.3 F 65. 68.1 63.5 56,0 1 66.5 j 72.0 70,2 63.2 70.4 71.5 66.0 58.0 71.5 76.5 740 63 Embodiment 3 Conventional 3 17 SIZE Overall I/P Posterior MB B-B Overall A/P Posterior MB -B C 523 58,0 559 50.2 53,5 60.0 58.6 53.6 D 56,4 61.4 58.4 52.0 57.6 64.0 62.0 55.7 E 60,2 64 7 60,8 54.0 615 68.0 65,9 59.3 F 64 681 63.5 56.0 65,5 72.0 70.2 63.2 G 69.4 71f5 66.0 58.0 70.5 765 74.0 67.2 Embodiment 5 Conventional 5 SZE Overall A/P Posterior MB B B Overall A/P Posterior MB B-B C 52.8 58.0 55.9 50.2 54.0 60.0 58.6 53.6 56.9 614 58.4 52.0 58.1 64.0 62.0 55.8 E 60.7 64.7 60.8 540-------,0 620 68.0 65.9 59. 64.8 68.1 635 56.0 i 66.0 72.0 70.2 63.2 G 69.9 71.5 66.0 58.0 71.0 76.5 74.0 67.3 [0068] Fig. 6 is a graph of the dimension mid-box M/L vs. overall A/P for the following sets of prostheses, each in increasing sizes C through G: Conventional 5, Embodiment 5, as well as eight other sets of known competitive prostheses, designated Competitive 1, Competitive 2, Competitive 3, Competitive 4, Competitive 5. Competitive 6, Competitive 7, and Competitive 8. [0069] Fig. 7 is a graph of the dimension B-B M/L vs. overall A/P for the following sets of prostheses, each in increasing sizes C through G: Conventional 5, Embodiment 5, as well as eight other sets of known competitive prostheses, designated Competitive 1, Competitive 2, Competitive 3, Competitive 4, Competitive 5, Competitive 6, Competitive 7, and Competitive 8. [0070] Fig. 8 is a graph of the dimension Posterior MIL vs. overall A/P for the following sets of prostheses, each in increasing sizes C through G: Conventional 5, Embodiment 5, as well as eight other sets of known competitive prostheses, designated Competitive 1, Competitive 2, Competitive 3, Competitive 4, Competitive 5, Competitive 6, Competitive 7, and Competitive 8. 18 [0071] Table 5 below sets forth the results of a first order equation fit to each of the data sets shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 as well as for the data sets of EmbodLrents 3 and 4 and Conventional 3 and 4 in Table 4. Table 5. Implant I Posterior M/L vs. Mid-box M/L vs. B-B M/L vs. Overall Overaff A/P Best Overall A/P Best Fit A/P Best Fit Regression Fit Regression Line Regression Line Line Slope y-Intercept Slope ymntercept Slope tercept Conventional 3 0.98 7.53 0.93 8.63 0.83 8.35 - - - - _ - ------ ------ Conventional 4 0.98 6.82 0.93 802 0.83 7.66 Conveniona1 7.17 0.93 8.32 0,83 8.01 -- --- - --------------- - - ----- ------- - - Embodiment 3 0.80 16.31 0.60 24.39 0.46 26.02 Embodiment 4 0.80 -- 5.51 060 24.30 0.46 25.55 Embodiment 5 0.80 15.91 0.60 24.59 0.46 25.79 Competitive 1 1.06 1 27 L.01 3.36 1 0.94 1.61 Competitive 2 0.99 6.82 1.09 -1.10 0.80 12.80 Competitive 3 0.98 5.78 0.91 11,72 0.83 10.13 Competitive 4 0.98 6.63 1.02 3.40 L06 0.17

----

_ - - - - -_ _ _ _ ---- - - ---- Competitive 5 0.90 1 13.67 0.91 11.72 0.82 10.34 - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- _ Competitive 6 1.06 0.61 1.08 -0.70 1.06 -4.03 Competitive 7 0.86 19.80 0.77 19.86 0.78 9.00 Competitivej8 0.91 -0.64 0.91 -1.64 091 -2,64 [0072] From the data in Table 5, it may be seen that there is a difference in the slopes of the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as compared to the slopes of the sets of the known prostheses. in particular, it may be seen from the data in Table 5 that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have a narmwing posterior M[L dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by slopes less than approximately 0.85, for example, as 19 opposed to a substantially parallel or one-to-one relationship between the posterior M.L dimension and the A/P dimension with increasing A/P size as in the sets of known prostheses, as indicated by slopes of 0.86 and above. In exemplary embodiments, the slope of posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, or 0.65 or as large as approximately 0.85, 0.84, 0.3, 0.81, 0.80, 0.75, or 0.70. In an exemplary embodiment, the slope of posterior MIL dimension with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 is approximately 0.80. Thus, the posterior M/L dimension for prostheses 50 increases at a lesser rate than the corresponding overall A/P dimension. In contrast, in the sets of known prostheses, the posterior M/L dimension and the A/P dimension increase at substantially the same rate with increasing A/P size. In this manner, the sets of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant posterior MIT widths with varying A/P size for an overall system or set of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [0073] Furthermore, from the data in Table 5, it may be seen that there is a significant difference in slope for the sets of prostheses of Embodimems 3, 4, and 5 as compared with the slopes of the known sets of prostheses when looking at the B-B and MB dimensions. The magnitudes of the B-B values and MB values for a given A/P dimension are more pronounced, i.e., the variance in width at dimension B-B or MB over various A/P sizes between the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 and the known sets of prostheses is more dramatically pronounced. [0074i Specifically, sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have a narrowing B-B M/L dimension with increasing AP size, as indicated by slopes less than approximately 077, for example, as opposed to a substantially parallel or one-to-one relationship between the B-B MTL dimension and the A/P dimension with increasing A/P size as in the sets of known prostheses, as indicated by slopes of 0.78 and above. In exemplary embodiments, the slope of the B-B M/L dimension with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, or 0.45 or as large as 0.77, 0.76, 0.75, 0.74, 0,72, 0.70, 0,65, 0.60, or 0.50. In an exemplary embodiment, the slope is of the B-B M/L dimension with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 is approximately 0.46. Thus, the B-B M/L dimension for prostheses 50 increases at a lesser rate than the corresponding overall A/P dimension. In contrast, in the sets of known prostheses, the B-B M/L dimension and the A/P dimension increase at substantially the same rate with increasing AP size. 20 [0075] Furthermore, sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have a narrowing MB MITL dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by slopes less than 0,76, for example, as opposed to a substantially parallel or one-to-one relationship between the MB M/L dimension and the A/P dimension with increasing A/P size as in the sets of known prostheses, as indicated by slopes of 0.77 and above. In exemplary embodiments, the slope of the MB M/L dimension with increasing A/P size for pros theses 50 may be as small as approximately 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, or 0,57 or as large as approximately 0.76, 0.75, 0.74 0.73, 0.72, 0.71, 0.70, 0.65, or 0.60. In an exemplary embodiment, the slope of the MB M/L dimension with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 is approximately 0.60. Thus, the MB M/L dimension for prostheses 50 increases at a lesser rate than the corresponding overall A/P dimension, In contrast, in the sets of known prostheses, the MB M/L dimension and the A/P dimension increase at substantialy the same rate with increasing A/P size. [0076] in this manner, the prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant M/L widths as an overall system of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [0077] Referring again to Fig. 6, the range of values for Embodiment 5 generally falls within the lines of a conceptual boundary, such as a parallelogram, as shown in solid dashed lines. Clearly, no other known prostheses have MB M/L dimensions that fall within this range of values for the MB MiL dimensions and corresponding Overall A/P' dimensions. The parallelogram is essentially defined by four points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimiensio4 MB Dimension): A first point or upper left corner ("First Point") - (52.0, 55.0); A second point or lower left comer ("Second Point") - (52.0, 47.0); A third point or upper tight comer ("Third Point") - (77.0, 78.5); and a fourth point or lower right comer ("Fourth Point") - (77.0, 70.0). Thus, the upper boundary of the parallelogram defined by First Point and Third Point may be given by the equation MB M/L = 0.94 * Overall A/P + 6.12 and the lower boundary defined by Second Point and Fourth Point may be given by the equation MB ML = 0.92 * Overall A/P - 0.84, [0078] - As set forth in Table 6 below, the Overall A/P dimensions and the ratios of the dimensions "Posterior", "MB", and "B-B" vs. "Overall A/P" are given for Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as well as for conventional prostheses Conventional 3, 4, and 5. 21 Table 6. Embodiment 4 Conventional 4 SIZE Overall Ratio Ratio Ratio Overall/P Ratio Ratio Ratio A/P (seLM (-B (Posterior (MB (B-B ML/ M/L/ Al/LI M/L/ M/L Overall Overall Overall Overall Overall Overall A/P) A/P) AIP) A/P) ALP) N/P) C 53.3 LO9 1.05 0.94 54.4 1.10 1.08 0.98 -------- -- ------- -- ---- ------- D 57.5 1.07 1.02 0.91 58.6 1.09 1.06 0.95 E 612 106 0.99 0.88 62.5 L09 L05 0.95 F 65.3 104 0.97 0.86 66.5 L 18 16 0.95 G 70.4 1.02 0.94 0.82 7-5 L07 1.04 0.94 ......... -- ------- -__ _ _ - ---- __ Embodiment 3 Conventional 3 SIZE Overall Ratio I Ratio Ratio Overall A/P Ratio Ratio Ratio A/P (Posterior (MB (B-B (Posterior (MB (B-B M/L/ MILl M'L/ I M/LI MIL / ML/ Overall Overall Overall Overall Overall Overall ALP) A/P) A/P) A/P) A/P) A/P) C 52. Ll O7 0.96 53,5 L12 109 1.00 D 56.4 1.09 1.04 0.92 57.6 1.11 1.08 0.97 E 602 L08 L01 0.90 61.5 1.11 L07 106 F 64.2 06 099 0.87 65.5 L1 1.07 0.97 G 69 1 L03 0.95 0.84 70. L09 5 95 Embodiment 5 Conventional 5 ZE Overall Ratio-Ratio Ratio Overall AP Ratio Ratio Ratio A/P (Posterior (MB (B-B (Posterior (MB (B-B M/Ll MILl M/L/ M/L/ M'L/ MILl Overall Overall Overall Overall Overall Overall 22 A/P) A/P) A/PD) AlP) A/P) AlP) C 52.8 110 LO6 0.95 54.0 1 .9 0.99 D 569 1.08 103 0.91 58.1 1,10 1.07 0.96 1.600 LO7 100 0,89 62.0 L10 LOG 0.96 F 64.8 105 0.98 0.86 66.0 1.09 1 06 0S6 G 69.9 L02 0.94 0.83 710 LO8 L4 [0079] Fig. 9 is a graph of the ratio of (MB M/L / Overall A/P) vs. Overall A/P for the prostheses described above with respect to Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a graph of the ratio of (B--B M/L I Overall ALP) vs. Overall A/P for the prostheses described above with respect to Fig. 7. Fig. I is a graph of the ratio of (Posterior M/VL / Overall A/P) vs. Overall A/P for the prostheses described above with respect to Fig. 8. [0080] Table 7 below sets forth the results of a first order equaton fit to each of the data sets shown in Figs. 9, 10, and I1 as well as for the data sets of Embodiments 3 and 4 and Conventional 3 and 4 in Table 6. Table 7. plant Ratio (Posterior Ratio (Mid-box M/L Ratio (B-B M/L vs. M/L vs. Overall vs. Overall AlP) vs. Overall A/P) vs. A/lP) vs. Overall Overall A/P Best Fit Overall A/P Best Fit A/P Best Fit Regression Line Regression Line Regression Line Slope y - Slope y-Intercept Slope y-lntercept Intercept Conventional 3 -0.0020 123 -0.0023 1.21 -0.0023 111 Conventional 4 -0.0017 1.20 -0.0020 1,18 -0.0020 1.08 Cnntoa5 00018 L21 0.0021 L.20 -0.0022 L 1 Embodiment 3 0.0044 1.34 -0.0068 142 -0.0071 133 Embodiment 4 -0.0041 131 -0.0064 1.39 .0.0068 L30 23 ----- ------- 23 Embodiment 5 -0.0042 132 -0.0066 141 0.0069 1.31 Competitive 1 -0UO003 1,10 00008 1 11 -0.0004 0.99 Competitive 2 400017 L20 00003 L06 -0.0032 1.21 Competitive 0.0013 15 0.0003 1,09 -0.0024 L14 Competitive 4 -0.0016 1.18 OO09 L13 -0,0001 L 07 Competitive 5 -0.0032 132 0.0032 1 -31 -0.0025 115 Compet--ve--- -01 ----- ____ ,31 ___ __ 1 .08 0.0001 L.6 0.010 094 Competitive 7 -0.0053 1.51 -0.0054 L43 -0.0024 08 Competitive 8 0.0001 0.89 0.0004 0.86 0.0006 083 [0081] From the data in Table 7 it may be seen that there is a difference in the slopes of the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as compared to the slopes of the sets of the known prostheses. I particular, it may be seen from the data in Table 7 that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have a narrowing posterior MV/L dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by the slope of the ratio (posterior M/L / overall A/P) vs. overall A/P being less than -0.0032 for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 while the corresponding slope for the known sets of prostheses is greater than or equal to -0.0032, except for the Competitive 7 prosthesis, indicating that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have an increasingly more pronounced narrowing of the posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size. In this manner, the sets of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant posterior M/L widths with varying AlP size for an overall system or set of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [0082] Furthermore, it may be seen that there is a significant difference in slope for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as compared with the slopes of the known sets of prostheses when looking at the MB and B-B M/L dimensions. The magnitudes of the anterior M/L "B-B" values for a given A/P dimension are more pronounced, e., the variance in width at dimension B-B, namely, an anterior width, over various A/P sizes between the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 and the known sets of prostheses is more 24 dramadcally pronounced, Specifically, the slope of the ratio (B-B M/L / overall A/P) vs. overall A/P is less than -0,0032 for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5, while the corresponding slope for the known sets of prostheses is greater than or equal to -0.0032, indicating that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have increasingly more pronounced narrowing of the B-B M/L dimension with increasing A/P size. [0083] Furthermore, the slope of the ratio (MB MA / Overall A/P) vs. Overall A/P is less than -0.0054 for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5, while the corresponding slope for the known sets of prostheses is greater than or equal to -0.0054, indicating that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have increasingly more pronounced narrowing of the B-B ML dimension with increasing A/P size. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the ratios of MB M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which may be as small as -0.0075, -0.0072, -0.0069, -0,0066, or -0.0063 or as large as -0.0055, -0.0057, -0.0059, or -0.0061. In this manner, the prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant MIL widths as an overall system of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [0084] Referring again to Fig. 9, the range of values for Embodiment 5 generally falls within the lines of a conceptual boundary, such as a four-sided polygon, as shown in solid dashed lines. Clearly, no other known prostheses have 'vB M/L / Overall A/P ratios that fall within this range of values for the MB M/L / Overall A/P ratios and corresponding Overall A/P dimensions. The polygon is essentially defined by four points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimension, MB M/L / Overall A/P ratio): A first point or upper left corner ("First Point") - (52.0. 1.06); A second point or lower left corner ("Second Point") (52.0, 0.90); A third point or upper right corner ("Third Point") - (77,0, 1 02); and a fourth point or lower right corner ("Fourth Point") - (77.0, 0.91). Thus, the upper boundary of the parallelogram defined by First Point and Third Point may be given by the equation MB M/L / Overall A/P Ratio = -00015 * Overall A/P + 1.14 and the lower boundary defined by Second Point and Fourth Point may be given by the equation MB M/L / Overall A/P Ratio= 0.0002 Overall A/P + 0.89. [0085] As another exemplary comparison, the dimensions "A-A" and "Overall A/P" for conventional prostheses ("Conventional 3", "Conventional 4", and "Conventional 5" including five increasing sizes C through G) are compared with corresponding dimensions of 25 a set of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention ("Embodiment 3", "Embodiment 4", and "Embodiment 5" including five increasing sizes C through G). In one embodiment, the values for Conventional 5 and Embodiment 5 may be average values of Conventionals 3 and 4 and Embodiments 3 and 4, respectively. These values are presented in Table 8 below. Table 8. Embodiment 4 Conventional 4 SIZE Overall A/P A-A Overall A/P A-A C 53.3 4L 54.4 45.0 D 576 426 5 46.3 E6-2 43 62.5 48.9 F 65.3 44.9 66.5 51.7 G- 704 46.1 71.5 56.0 - ----------- - - -. ___________ ___________________ Embodiment 3 Conventional 3 SZE Overall A/P A-A Overail A/P A-A C 52.3 4L 53.5 45.0 D 56.4 42.6 57.6 46.4 E 60.2 436 6L5 48.5 F 65____ _ _4361.5 F 64.2 44.9j 65 51.6 G 694 46.1 70.5 55.7 --------- -- --- - ----- ___ Embodiment 5 Conventional 5 SZE Oe P A-A Overall A/P A-A C 52.8 4L0 54.0 45.0 D569 421 58,46 I~~--- -____ -____ ___ _____ ____-------- --- ~------------- -- L0. -7 43.6 162 0 483 F 1 64.8 44.9 6.0766.0 26 F 69.9 46.1 71O 5I [0086] Fig, 18 is a graph of the dimension A-A JL vs. overall A/P for the following sets of prostheses, each in increasing sizes C through G: Conventional 5, Embodiment 5, as well as eight other sets of Imown competitive prosthesis, designated Competitive 1, Competitive 2, Competitive 3, Competitive 4, Competitive 5, Competitive 6, Competitive 7, and Competitive 8. [0087] Table 9 below sets forth the results of a first order equation fit to the data sets shown in Fig. 18 as well as for the data sets of Embodiments 3 and 4 and Conventional 3 and 4 in Table 8. Table 9. Implant A-A M/L vs. Overall AIP Best Fit Regression Line Slope | y-/nercept Conventional 3 0.64 9.66 Conventional 4 0.65 8.59 Conventional 5 0.65 9.13 Embodiment 3 0.30 25.78 Embodiment- 4--,3 -- 25.47 Embodiment 4 0.30 25.47 Embodiment 5 0.30 25.63 Competitive 1 0.54 13.2O Competitive 2 0.46 19.33 Competitive 3 0.68 9 93 Competitive 4 0.76 6.05 Competitive 5 0.28 30,4 Competitive 6 0.86 2.98 Competitive 7 0.68 .54 27 Competitive 8 0.57 13.19 [00881 From the data in Table 9, it may be seen that there is a difference in the slopes of the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as compared to the slopes of the sets of the known prostheses. In particular, it may be seen from the data in Table 9 that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have a narrowing A-A M/L dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by slopes less than approximately 0.46, except for Competitive 5, for example, as opposed to a substantially parallel or one-to-one relationship between the posterior MiL dimension and the A/P dimension with increasing A/P size as in the sets of known prostheses, as indicated by slopes greater than or equal 0.46. In an exemplary embodiment, the slope of A-A MIL dimension with increasing A/ size for prostheses 50 is approximately 0.30. [0089] As set forth in Table 10 below, the Overall A/P dimensions and the ratios of the dimension "A-A" vs. 'Overal AlP" are given for Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as well as for conventional prostheses Conventional 3, 4, and 5. Table 10. Embodiment 4 Conventional 4 SIZE Overall Ratio (A-A Mt/ Over I Overall A/P Ratio (A-A Mi /Overal A/P A/P) A/P) C 53.3 0.77 54.4 0.83 D 57.5 0.74 58,6 0,9 E 6L2 0.71 62.5 0.78 F 0.69 66.5 028 G 70.4 0.66 71.5 0,78 Embodiment 3 Conventional 3 SEZE Ratio (A-A M/t / Overall Overall A/P Rado (A-A MiL / 0veraI A/P A/P) A/P) 523 10 535 0.84 28 D A 056 57.6 0.81 E 60,2 072 61 . 0.9 ---- £ 1- -_

-

------

F 64.2 0.70 65.5 0.79 G 69A4 M.6 70. 0:79 Embodiment 5 Conventional 5 SiZE Overail Ratio(A A ME/ Overal Overall A/P Ratio (A-A MIL / Overal A/P A/P) A/P) C 52.8 0,78 54.0 -083 D 56.9 d3 58.1 0.80 B 60:7 072 62.0 0,78 P 64.8 069 66.0 0.8 G 0.66 7L 0.79 [0090] Fig 19 is a graph of the ratio of (A-A M/L / Overall ALP) vs. Overall A/P for the prostheses described above with respect to Fig. 18. [0091] Table 11 below sets forth the results of a first order equation fit to the data sets shown in Fig. 19 as well as for the data sets of Embodiments 3 and 4 and Conventional 3 and 4 in Table 10. Table 1. Implant Ratio (A-A M/L vs. Overall A/P) vs. Overall AIP Best Fit Regression Line Slope y-intercept Conventional 3 -0.0027 0.97 Conventional 4 -0.0023 0.94 Conventional 5 , -0.0025 095 Embodient 3 -------- -2 29 Embodiment 4 -00067 .3 Embodiment 5 -0.0069 114 Competition ve 1 0.0031 0.94 Competitive 2 -0.0049 1,0g Competitive 3 -0.0024 0,99 Competitive 4 -0.0016 0.96 Competitive 5 -0.0073 1.24 Competitive 6 O00007 0.77 Competitive 7 0.0019 0.90 ompetitve 8 -0.003-3 0.99 [0092] From the data in Table 11 it may be seen that there is a difference in the slopes of the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 as compared to the slopes of the sets of the known prostheses. In particular, it may be seen from the data in Table 7 that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have a narrowing A-A MIL dimension with increasing A/P size, as indicated by the slope of the ratio (A-A M/L / overall A/P) vs. overall A/P being less than -0.0049, for the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 while the corresponding slope for the known sets of prostheses is greater than or equal to -0.0049, except for the Competitive 5 prosthesis, indicating that the sets of prostheses of Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 have an increasingly more pronounced narrowing of the A--A M/L dimension with increasing A/P size. In this manner, the sets of prostheses designed in accordance with the present invention offer a surgeon a unique combination of implant A-A M/L widths with varying A/P size for an overall system or set of prostheses, wherein such sets of prostheses are more anatomically optimized for the female anatomy as compared with the sets of known prostheses. [0093] Referring again to Fig. 18, the range of values for Embodiment 5 generally falls below the line of a conceptual boundary. The boundary may be defined by two points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimension, A-A ML2 dimension): a First Point (52.0, 40.3) and a Second Point (77.0, 51.8). Thus, the boundary defines a line given by the following equation A-A ML = 0.46 * Overall A/P + 16.38. 30 [0094] Referring again to Fig. 19, the range of values for Embodiment 5 generally falls below the line of a conceptual boundary. The boundary may be defined by two points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimension, A-A MIL / Overall A/P ratio): a First Point (52.0, 0.78) and a Second Point (77.0, 0,67). Thus, the boundary defines a line given by the following equation: A-A M/L / Overall A/P = -0.0041 * Overall A/P + 0.99. [00951 Another way of characterizing the design of the present prostheses is by distal taper angle, "DT". As used herein and referring to Fig. 12, in which the profile 86 of prosthesis 50 is superimposed upon profile 88 of a known prosthesis, the distal taper angle "DT" is the angle between two lines on opposite sides of the prosthesis each connecting a point 90 on the edge of the anterior distal chamfer, i.e., along dimension "B-B" and a point 92 on the edge of the posterior distal chamfer, i.e., along dimension "C-C". In Fig. 12, distal taper angles DT and DT 2 for prosthesis 50 and for a known prosthesis are illustrated, respectively. It may be seen from Fig. 12 that the distal taper angle DT 1 for prosthesis 50 is greater than the distal taper angle DT 2 for the known prosthesis. [0096] Fig, 13 is a chart of distal taper angle vs. overall A/P for several of the prostheses described above. As before, a first order curve fit was applied to the data in Fig. 13 and the results are set forth below in Table 12. Table 12. Distal Taper Angle vs. Overall A/P Best fit regression line Equation slope Conventional 3 ± = 18.72 0.01J Conventional 4 y =0.ix + 18.79 0.01 Conventional 5 y =00Ix + 17.75 0.01 Embodiment 3 y= 0.28x + 7.10 0.28 Embodiment 4 y= 0.28x + 6.80 0.28 Embodiment S y =0.28x+6.95 0.28 Competitive I y = -015x + 24.81 -0,15 Competitive 2 y 0.20x + 3.04 0.20 Competitive 3 y = -0.08x + 19.43 -0.08 Competitive 4 y =-.24x + 18.77 -0.24 Competitive 5 = -U.18x + 33.07 10.18 Competitive 6 y= 0.19x + 21.99 -0.19 Competitive 7 Y = -0.

4 8x + 67.89 -0,48 Competitive 8 y =006x + 9.37 -0.06 31 [0097] As may be seen from the data in Table 12, the ratio between distal taper angle and overall A/P of the prostheses of Embodiments 3-5 differs from the known prostheses. In particular, the foregoing data indicates that prostheses of Embodiments 3-5 have a more pronounced and consistent increase in distal taper angle with increasing A/P size, as evidenced by a slope of greater than 0.20. Additionally, as may be seen from Fig. 13, the set of prostheses of Embodiment 5 has greater distal taper angles throughout the range of sizes of the prostheses than the known sets of prostheses with positive slopes as set forth in Table 12. Further, the distal taper angle curie for the set of prostheses of Embodiment 5 has a consistent upward lope as opposed to the randomized "see-saw" curves or flattened curves of the known sets of prostheses, indicating a more precise, parallel or substantial one-to-one relationship between distal taper angle and overall A/P with increasing A/P size for the set of prostheses of Embodiment 5. In exemplary embodiments, the slope of the distal taper angle with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, or 0.30 or as large as approximately 0.42, 0.39, 0.36, or 0.33. i an exemplary embodiment, the slope of the distal taper angle with increasing A/P size for prostheses 50 is approximately 0.28. [0098] As shown in Fig. 13, the range of values for Embodiment 5 generally fall within the lines of a conceptual boundary, such as a four-sided polygon, as shown in solid dashed lines. Clearly, no other known prostheses have distal taper angle values that faL within this range of values for the distal taper angle and corresponding Overall A/P dimensions, The four-sided polygon is essentially defined by four points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimension, Distal Taper Angle): An apper left corner ("1B") - (52.0, 27.0*); A lower left corner ("4") - (58.0, 22.5*); An upper right corner ("2") (77.0, 32.0"); and a lower right corner ("3") - (77.0, 26.0"). Alternatively, the upper left corner may be at coordinates (52.0, 34.0*) ("IA"). Alternatively, points IA, IB, 2, 3, and 4 define a five-sided polygon which defines the conceptual boundary. The distal taper angles for Embodiment 5 may be approximately equal to or greater than 214. The values of distal taper angles for prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 214, 22", 23", 25", or 27, or as large as approximately 35", 334, 31, or 29". [00991 Referring again to Fig. 8, the sets of prostheses may be grouped into a standard aspect ratio category and a non-standard aspect ratio category, As used herein, the term "standard aspect ratio" describes a set of prostheses which, for overall A/P values ranging from approximately 52.0 mm to 77.0 mm, have corresponding posterior M/L 32 dimensions which generally fall between an Upper Boundary and a Lower Boundary. The Upper Boundary and Lower Boundary may be defined by lines having points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimemsion, Posterior M/1. dimension). The Upper Boundary may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Upper Point") - (52.0, 59.0) and a second or upper right point ("Second UpperPoint") - (77.0, 83.5). The Lower Boundary may be defined by three exemplary boundaries, In one exemplary embodiment, Lower Boundary I may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Lower Point 1 ") - (52.0, 5 1.0) and a second or upper right point ("Second Lower Point I ") - (77.0, 73.0). In another exemplary embodiment, Lower Boundary 2 may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Lower Point 2") - (520, 53.0) and a second or upper right point ("Second Lower Point 2") - (77.0, 75.0). In yet another exemplary embodiment, Lower Boundary 3 may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Lower Point 3") - (52.0, 55.0) and a second or upper right point ("Second Lower Point 3") - (77.0, 77.0). For prostheses having overall A/P values ranging from approximately 52.0 mm to 77.0 mm, the following equations may define the Upper and Lower Boundaries: the Upper Boundary line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M/L = 0.98 * Overal A/P + 8.04; the Lower Boundary I line may be defined by thqe following equation: Posterior M/L= 0.88 * Overall A/P + 5.24; the Lower Boundary 2 line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M/L = 0.88 * Overall A/P + 7.24; and the Lower Boundary 3 line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M.L = 0.88 * Overall A/P + 9.24. [00100] Referring again to Fig, 11, the Upper Boundary and Lower Boundary described above which are used to define the standard aspect ratio category for sets of prostheses may also be used with the posterior MI / Overall A/P ratio for overall A/P values ranging from approximately 52,0 mm to 77.0 mm. The Upper Boundary and Lower Boundary may be defined by lines having points defined by coordinates given by (Overall A/P dimension, Posterior M/IL/ Overall A/P Ratio). The Upper Boundary may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Upper Point") - (52.0, 1.13) and a second or upper right point ("Second Upper Point") - (77.0, L08). The Lower Boundary may be defined by three exemplary boundaries. Lower Boundary 1 may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Lower Point I") - (52.0, 0.98) and a second or upper right point ("Second Lower Point 1") - (77.0, 0.95). Lower Boundary 2 may be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Lower Point 2") - (52.0, 1,02) 33 and a second or upper right point ("Second Lower Point 2") - (77.0, 0.97). Lower Boundary 3 may. be defined by a line connecting a first or lower left point ("First Lower Point 3") (52.0, 1.06) and a second or upper right point ("Second Lower Point 3") -(77.0, LO.). For prostheses having overall A/P values ranging from approximately 52.0 mm to 77.0 rm, the following equations may define the Upper and Lower Boundaries: the Upper Boundary line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M/L / Overall A/P -0.0020 * Overall A/P + 1.24; the Lower Boundary I line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M/L / Overall A/P = -0.0013 * Overall A/P + 1O5 the Lower Boundary 2 line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M/L / Overall A/P = -0.0018 * Overall A/P + 1.11; and the Lower Boundary 3 line may be defined by the following equation: Posterior M/L / Overall AIP = -0.0023 * Overall A/P - 1 18. [00101] Referring to Figs. 8 and 11 and applying the foregoing definition of standard aspect ratio, it may be seen that the prostheses described by Competitive 5, Competitive 7, and Competitive 8 fall within the non-standard aspect ratio category. [00102] Referring again to Fig. 13, Embodiment 5 has a distal taper angle greater than or equal Eo 21', In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have a distal taper angle less than 21'. [00103] Referring again to Fig. 6, Embodiment 5 has MIB MIL dimensions below the boundary defined by a line connecting the First Point (52.0, 55.0) and the Third Point (77,0, 78.5), Thus, for the range of Overall A/P values between 52.0 and 77.0, Embodiment 5 has MB M/L dimensions which fall below the line given by the following equation: MB M/L = 0.94 * Overall AR + 6.12. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have MB M/L dimensions which fall above the line given by the foregoing equation. [00104] Referring again to Fig, 9, Embodiment 5 has MB M/VL / Overall A/P ratios below the boundary defined by a line connecting the First Point (52.0, L06) and the Third Point (77.0, 12). Thus, for the range of Overall A/P values between 52.0 and 77.0, Embodiment 5 has MB M/L / Overall A/P ratios which fall below the line given by the following equation: MB M/L / Overall A/P = -0.0015 * Overall A/P + 1.14. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio.prostheses have MB M/L / Overall A/P ratios which fall above the line given by the foregoing equation. [00105] Referring again to Fig. 7, Embodiment 5 has B-B MIL dimensions below the boundary defined by a line connecting the First Point (52,0, 50.0) and the Second Point (77.0, 34 70.5), Taus, for the range of Overall A/P values between 52.0 and 77.0, Embodiment 5 has B-B MIL dimensions which fall below the line given by the following equation: B-B M/L 0.82 * Overall A/P + 7.36. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have B-B M/L dimensions which fal above the line given by the foregoing equation. [00106] Refering again to Fig. 10, Embodiment 5 has B-B M/L / Overall A/P ratios below the boundary defined by a line connecting the First Point (52.0, 0.96) and the Second Point (77.0, 0.92). Thus, for the range of Overall A/P values between 52.0 and 77.0, Embodiment 5 has B-B M/L/ Overall A/P ratios which fall below the line given by the following equation: B-B M/L / Overall A/P = -0.0018 * Overall A/P + L06. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have B-B M/L / Overall A/P ratios which fall above the line given by the foregoing equation. [00107] Referring again to Fig. 18, Embodiment 5 has A-A M/L dimensions below the boundary defined by a line connecting the Third Point (52.0, 40.1) and the Fourth Point (77.0, 535). Thus, for the range of Overall A/P values between 52.0 and 77.0, Embodiment 5 has A-A M/L dimensions which fall below the line given by the following equation: A-A M/L= 0.54 * Overall A/P + 12.23, In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have A-A M/L dimensions which fall above the line given by the foregoing equation. [00108] Referring again to Fig. 19, Embodiment 5 has A-A MIL / Overall A/P ratios below the boundary defined by a line connecting the Third Point (52.0, 0.77) and the Fourth Point (77.0, 0.69). Thus, for the range of Overall A/P values between 52.0 and 77.0, Embodiment 5 has A-A MiL / Overall A/P ratios which fall below the line given by the following equation: A-A M/L / Overall A/P = -0.0031 * Overall A/P - 0.93. ft contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have A-A Ml i Overall A/P ratios which fall above the line given by the foregoing equation. [00109] Referring again to Table 5, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes of Posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are less than 0,98. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the Posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which may be as small as approximately 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, or 0.65 or as large as approximately 0.96, 0.95, 0.,94, 0.91, 0.88, 0.85, 0.84, 0.83, 0.81, 0.80, 0.75, or 0.70. In contrast, al other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes of Posterior M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to 0.98. 35 [M0110] Referring still to Table 5, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes of MB M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are less than 0.91. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the MB M/L dimension with increasing A/? size which may be as small as approximately 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, or 0.57 or as large as approximately 0.90, 0,89, 0.87, 0.84, 0,81,079, 0.6, 0.75, 0.74, 0.73, 0.72, 071, 0.70, 0.65, or 0.60. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes of MB MI/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to 0.91. [001111 Referring again to Table 5, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes of B-B M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are less than 0.80. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the B-B M/L dimension with increasing AlP size which may be as small as approximately 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, or 0.45 or as large as 0.79, 078, 037, 0.76, 075, 034, 032, 0M0, 0.65, 0.60, or 0.50. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes of B-B MJL dimension with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to 0.80. [001121 Referring to Table 9, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes of A-A M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are less than 0.46, Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the A-A M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which may be as small as 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, or 0.30 or as large as 0.45, 0.44, 0.42, 0.40, 0.37, 0.34, or 0.31. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes of A.-A M/L dimension with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to 0.46. [00113] Referring to Table 7, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes for the ratios of Posterior MIL / Overall A/P vs. OveraU A/P with increasing A/P size which are less than -0.0020. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the ratios of Posterior M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing AP size which may be as small as -0.0060, -0.0055, -0.0050, -0.0045, 0.0040 or as large as -0.0021, -0.0092-0.0025, -0.0030, or -0.0035. In contrast, al other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes for the ratios of Posterior M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to -0.0020. [00114] Referring again to Table 7, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes for the ratios of MB M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which are less than -0.0023. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the ratios of MB M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which may be as small as -0.0075, -0.0072, -0.0069, -0.0066, or 0.0063 or as large as -0.0022, -0.0025, -0.0030, -0.0035, -0.0040, -0.0045, -0.0050, -0.0055, or -0.0060. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes for the ratios of 36 MB M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to -0.0023. [00115] Referring again to Table 7, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes for the ratios of B-B M/L / Overall A/P vs, Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which are less than -0.0032. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the ratios of B-B M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which ray be as small as -0.0085, -OOS80 -0.0075, or -0.0070 or as large as -0.0031, -0.0032, -0.0034, -0.0037, -0.0040, -0.0045, -0.0050, -0.0055, -0.0060, or 0,0065. In an exemplary embodiment, the slope value for the ratio of B-B MYL / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size is approximately -0.0069. In another exemplary embodiment, the slope value for the ratio of B-B M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size is approximately -0.0068. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the slope value for the ratio of B-B M/l / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/F with increasing A/P size is approximately -0.0071. In contrast, all other prostheses have slopes for the ratios of B-B M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall AlP with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to -0.0032, [00116) Referring again to Table 11, Embodiments 3-5 have slopes for the ratios of A A M/L / Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which are less than -0.0049. Prostheses 50 may have slope values for the ratios of A-A M/L / Overall All' vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which may be as small as -0.0080, -0.0075, -0,0070, or -0.0065 or as large as -0.0050, -0.0051, -0.0053, -0.0055, or -0.0060. In contrast, all other standard aspect ratio prostheses have slopes for the ratios of A-A M/L Overall A/P vs. Overall A/P with increasing A/P size which are greater than or equal to -0,0049. [00117] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the prosthesis 50 includes a recessed or reduced profile patellar sulcus as well as a thinned or reduced profile anterior flange condyles in comparison with known prostheses to alleviate the potential for the thicknesses of the patellar sulcus and the anterior flange condyles to be greater than the thickness of the femoral bone which is resected during the TKR/TKA procedure. [00118] Referring to Fig, 14, a distal view of prosthesis 50 is shown, including uicus 70 disposed between lateral and medial anterior condyles 66 and 68, respectively. Fig. 15 is a side view of prosthesis 50, in which the anterior profile of sulcus 70 of prosthesis 50 in accordance with the present invention is shown as curve 94, and the anterior profile of the sulcus of a known prosthesis is represented by curve 96. A line parallel to non-articular 37 anterior surface 76 and tangent to curve 94 or 96 at an anterior most point thereof may be used to define dimension DI. Dimension DI represents the maximum. thickness of sulcus 70, i.e., the width of sulcus 70 between non-articular anterior surface 76 and an anterior most point along curve 94 or curve 96. As may be seen from Fig. 15, curve 94 of sulcus 70 of prosthesis 50 is recessed, or shifted posteriorly, as compared to curve 96 of the sulcus of a known prosthesis, wherein dimension D1 of prosthesis 50 is less than dimension D1 of the known prosthesis, Advantageously, recessing the patellar sulcus 70 of prostheses 50 will allow the pate'la to articulate slightly more posterior than in known prostheses which will reduce the likelihood of the thickness of the patellar sulcus to be greater than the thickness of the femoral bone which is resected when the joint is in extension and early flexion. [00119] Referring to Fig. 16, the anterior profile of lateral or medial anterior condyle 66 or 68 of prosthesis 50 in accordance with the present invention is shown as curve 102, and the anterior profile of an anterior condyle of a known prosthesis is shown as curve 104. Dimension D2 represents the maximum thickness, or depth, of one or both of the lateral and medial anterior condyles between non-articular anterior surface 76 and a line drawn parallel to surface 76 and tangent to curve 102 or curve 104 at an anterior most point thereof. As may be seen from Fig. 16, curve 102 of at least one of the lateral and medial anterior condyles 66 and 68 of prosthesis 50 is recessed, or shifted posteriorly, as compared to curve 104 of the anterior condyles of a known prosthesis, wherein dimension D2 of prosthesis 50 is less than dimension D2 of the known prosthesis. Advantageously, the reduction of the anterior flange condyle thickness reduces the anterior flange profile and creates smoother, less abrupt changes in geometry as the condyles blend to the edges of the components while maintaining adequate height to prevent subluxation of the patella. [00120] In Table 13 below, dimensions D1 and D2 described above are shown in accordance with a set of prostheses 50 (Embodiment 5) compared to a known set of prostheses (Conventional 5), as well as the differences between dimensions DI and D2 of the present prosthesis and known prosthesis. Unless otherwise indicated, all numerical dimensional values presented herein are in millimeters ("mm"). Table 13. Differences (Conventional 5 Embodiment 5 Conventional 5 - Embodiment 5) SIZE 1" 'D2" T "D1 "D2" ".D1" ''D2 C 2.5 1 3.5 6. 1.0 1.1 38 D 25 3.6 6 A,. E 2.6 5 0 3.6 6.2 I 12 F 2.5 5.3 16 64 1.I G 3,2 64 4-2 7- 3---L1 - 0.9 [00121] As may be seen from 'able 13, the sulcus and condyle thicknesses D1 and D2 respectively, of prostheses of Embodiment 5 are considerably reduced as compared to the known prostheses (Conventional 5). In particular, the sulcus thickness DI of an exemplary embodiment may range from about 2.5 mm to 3.2 mm and the condyle thickness 12 may range from about 5.0 m to 6.4 mm. In exemplary embodiments, the sulcus thickness DI of prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, or 2.8 mm or as large as approximately 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, or 2.9 mm. In exemplary embodiments, the condyle thickness D2 of prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 4,0, 4.3, 4.7 5.0, 52,5.4, or 5.6mm or as large as approximately 6.4, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, or 5.8 mm, [001221 The present prostheses further include a modified patellar sulcus tracking to further optimize conformance of the prostheses with female anatomy. The Q-angle ("quadriceps angle") is formed in the frontal plane by a pair of line segments, one extending from the tibial tubercle to the middle of the patella and the other extending from the middle of the patella to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). In adults, the Q-angle is typically 140 for males and 17* for females, wherein the Q-angle for females is approximately 3* more lateral than that of males. Responsive to this observation, and as described in detail below, the end point of the patellar sulcus 70 of prostheses 50 is shifted 3* laterally with respect to known prostheses, i.e, in an exemplary embodiment, lateralization angle 108 is approximately 70 in Fig. 17A and approximately 100 in Fig. 17B. [00123] Figs. 17A and 17B show A/P views of a known prosthesis and prosthesis 50, respectively, with simulated patellas shown in Figs. 17A and 17B as circular structures "PA" superimposed upon the anterior flanges of the prostheses. During articulation of the prosthesis, the patella will track within the patellar sulcus of the prosthesis. Referring to Figs. 15, 17A, and 17B, the vertex 106 of lateralization angle 108 (Figs. 17A and 17B) is located at the intersection of a plane coincident with the flat, distal non articular surface 80 (Fig. 15) of prosthesis 50 with curve 94 (Fig. 15) of the patellar sulcus 70. From vertex 106, line 110 is drawn orthogonal to distal non articular surface 80, and the end point 112 of the patelliar sulcus 70 is defined as the center of the patellar sulcus 70 at a line 114 paralel to distal non articular surface 80 and disposed at varying heights "H" in accordance with varying 39 prosthesis size. Line 118 connects vertex 106 with end point 112 of the patellar sulcus and the angle originating at vertex 106 between lines 110 and 118 is lateralization angle 108. For a range of sizes C through G of prostheses represented in Figs. 17A and 1.7B having varying height dimensions "H" indicated in Table 14 below between distal non articular surface 80 and line 114, the distance between line 110 and point 112, i.e, the lateralization distance, also varies as indicated in Figs. 17A and 17B, wherein the foregoing data is summarized below in Table 14 for a known prosthesis (Conventional 1, Fig. 17A) and prosthesis 50 (Embodiment 1, Fig. 17B). Unless otherwise indicated, all numerical dimensional values presented herein are in millimeters ("mm"). Table 14. Vertical Position Lateralization Distance Change Height From Conventional 1 Embodiment I Conventional I Size Distal Face (H) (Fig. 17A) (Fig. 1713) Embodiment 1 C 28.6 38 5,3 L5 D 31.3 4.1 5.8 L7 E 313 4.2 5,8 1.6 34.8 4.5 6.5 2,0 38,8 50 7.0 2.0 [001241 As may be seen from Table 14, the lateralization distance of prostheses 50 is increased with respect to known prostheses to optimize patella tracking with the prostheses to more closely conform to female anatomy. In an exemplary embodiment, the lateralization distance is greater than 5.0 rnm In an exemplary embodiment, the lateralization distance for prostheses 50 may be as small as approximately 5.0, 5.3, 5.6, or 5.9 mm or as large as approximately 7.0, 6.7, 6.4, or 6.1 mm. [00125] While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims 40

Claims (21)

1. A set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, the set of distal femoral prostheses including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis, the set of distal femoral prostheses wherein: at least some of said prostheses having a said distal taper angle greater than or equal to approximately 21'.

2. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claim 1, wherein at least some of said prostheses have a said distal taper angle between approximately 21' and 35'

3. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims I or 2, wherein at least some of said prostheses have a said distal taper angle between approximately 23' and 27'.

4. A set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, the set of distal femoral prostheses including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses each having an overall anterior/posterior dimension defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and a medial/lateral dimension defined between points located most medially and most laterally at anterior/posterior locations substantially equidistant from the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface, the set of distal femoral prostheses wherein: 41 at least some of said prostheses having a said overall anterior/posterior dimension and a said medial/lateral dimension falling below a conceptual boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a second point, said first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 55.0 medial/lateral dimension, and said second point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 78.5 medial/lateral dimension; wherein said line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension)= (0.94 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) + 6.12.

5. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claim 4, wherein substantially all of said overall anterior/posterior dimensions and said medial/lateral dimensions fall below said conceptual boundary.

6. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 4 or 5, wherein said medial/lateral dimensions of said prostheses respectively increase at a first rate, said overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increase at a second rate, said first rate and said second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.89.

7. A set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, the set of distal femoral prostheses including a plurality of standard aspect ratio prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and respectively having increasingly greater medial/lateral dimensions defined between points located most medially and most laterally at an anterior/posterior location defined by the anterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis, the set of distal femoral prostheses wherein: at least some of said prostheses having a said overall anterior/posterior dimension and a said medial/lateral dimension falling below a conceptual boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a second point, said first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 50.0 medial/lateral dimension, and said second point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 70.5 medial/lateral dimension; 42 wherein said line is defined by the following equation: (medial/lateral dimension)= (0.82 * overall anterior/posterior dimension) + 7.36.

8. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claim 7, wherein substantially all of said overall anterior/posterior dimensions and said medial/lateral dimensions fall below said conceptual boundary.

9. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 7 or 8, wherein said medial/lateral dimensions of said prostheses respectively increase at a first rate, said overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increase at a second rate, said first rate and said second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or less than 0.78.

10. A set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, the set of distal femoral prostheses including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis, the set of distal femoral prostheses wherein: said distal taper angles of said prostheses respectively increasing at a first rate, said overall anterior/posterior dimensions of said prostheses respectively increasing at a second rate, said first rate and said second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or greater than 0.22.

11. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claim 9, wherein said ratio is between approximately 0.22 and 0.42.

12. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 9 or 10, wherein said ratio is substantially equal to approximately 0.28. 43

13. A set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, the set of distal femoral prostheses including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis, the set of distal femoral prostheses wherein: at least some of said overall anterior/posterior dimensions and said distal taper angles falling within a conceptual boundary defined by an upper boundary and a lower boundary, said upper boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a third point, said lower boundary defined by a line connecting a second point and a fourth point, said first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 27.0 distal taper angle. said second point having an approximately 58.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 22.5' distal taper angle, said third point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 32.00 distal taper angle, and said fourth point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 26.0' distal taper angle.

14. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claim 12, wherein substantially all of said overall anterior/posterior dimensions and said distal taper angles fall with said conceptual boundary.

15. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 12 or 13, wherein said conceptual boundary defines a four-sided polygon.

16. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 12, 13 or 14, wherein said distal taper angles of said prostheses respectively increase at a first rate, said overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increased a second rate, said first rate and said second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or greater than 0.22. 44

17. A set of distal femoral prostheses particularly adapted for female anatomy, each femoral prosthesis including a distal nonarticulating surface having an anterior end and a posterior end, the set of distal femoral prostheses including a plurality of prostheses respectively having increasingly greater overall anterior/posterior dimensions defined between points located most anteriorly and most posteriorly on each prosthesis and having increasingly greater distal taper angles defined between a lateral line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface and a medial line connecting the anterior end and the posterior end of the distal nonarticulating surface on each prosthesis, the set of distal femoral prostheses wherein: at least some of said overall anterior/posterior dimensions and said distal taper angles falling within a conceptual boundary defined by an upper boundary and a lower boundary, said upper boundary defined by a line connecting a first point and a third point, said lower boundary defined by a line connecting a second point and a fourth point, said first point having an approximately 52.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 34.0 distal taper angle. said second point having an approximately 58.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 22.5' distal taper angle, said third point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 32.00 distal taper angle, and said fourth point having an approximately 77.0 overall anterior/posterior dimension and an approximately 26.0' distal taper angle.

18. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claim 16,wherein substantially all of said overall anterior/posterior dimensions and said distal taper angles fall with said conceptual boundary.

19. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 16 or 17, wherein said conceptual boundary defines a four-sided polygon.

20. The set of distal femoral prostheses of Claims 16, 17 or 18, wherein said distal taper angles of said prostheses respectively increase at a first rate, said overall anterior/posterior dimensions respectively increased a second rate, said first rate and said second rate defining a ratio substantially equal to or greater than 0.22. 45

21. A distal femoral prosthesis including a non-articulating surface including a distal plane and an anterior non-articular surface; lateral and medial anterior condyles, the distal femoral prosthesis wherein: a patellar sulcus defined between said condyles, said patellar sulcus having a maximum thickness between approximately 2.5 mm and 3 2 min between an anterior most point on said sulcus and said anterior non-articular surface. 46