We claim:
1. A surgical cutting block for creating both a posterior cut and an anterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, b) a posterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur; and c) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
2. The cutting block of claim 1 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
3. The cutting block of claim 2 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
4. The cutting block of claim 1 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
5. The cutting block of claim 4 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
6. The cutting block of claim 5 wherein the material is zirconia.
7. The cutting block of claim 1 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
8. The cutting block of claim 7 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
9. The cutting block of claim 7 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
10. The cutting block of claim 9 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
11. The cutting block of claim 10 wherein the material is zirconia.
12. The cutting block of claim 1 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting
guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
13. The cutting block of claim 12 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
14. The cutting block of claim 13 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
15. The cutting block of claim 14 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
16. The cutting block of claim 15 wherein the material is zirconia.
17. A surgical cutting block for creating both an anterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over an angled surface created by a combination of a distal femoral cut and an anterior chamfer cut on the distal end of the femur, b) an anterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the
distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and c) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
18. The cutting block of claim 17 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
19. The cutting block of claim 18 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
20. The cutting block of claim 17 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
21. The cutting block of claim 17 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
22. The cutting block of claim 21 wherein the material is zirconia.
23. The cutting block of claim 17 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the
cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
24. The.cutting block of claim 23 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
25. The cutting block of claim 23 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
26. The cutting block of claim 23 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
27. The cutting block of claim 26 wherein the material is zirconia.
28. The cutting block of claim 17 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
29. The cutting block of claim 28 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
30. The cutting block of claim 28 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides .
31. The cutting block of claim 28 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
32. The cutting block of claim 31 wherein the material is zirconia.
33. A surgical cutting block for creating both an anterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, b) an anterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and c) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
34. The cutting block of claim 33 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
35. The cutting block of claim 34 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
36. The cutting block of claim 33 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
37. The cutting block of claim 33 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
38. The cutting block of claim 37 wherein the material is zirconia.
39. The cutting block of claim 33 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
40. The cutting block of claim 39 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0 - 4 per cent.
41. The cutting block of claim 39 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
42. The cutting block of claim 39 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
43. The cutting block of claim 42 wherein the material is zirconia.
44. The cutting block of claim 33 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
45. The cutting block of claim 44 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
46. The cutting block of claim 44 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
47. The cutting block of claim 44 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
48. The cutting block of claim 47 wherein the material is zirconia.
49. A surgical cutting block for making creating both a posterior cut and an anterior
chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over a pre-formed, angled surface created by the a combination of a distal femoral cut and a posterior chamfer cut, b) a posterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur,- and c) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
50. The cutting block of claim 49 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
51. The cutting block of claim 50 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
52. The cutting block of claim 50 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
53. The cutting block of claim 50 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
54. The cutting block of claim 53 wherein the material is zirconia.
55. The cutting block of claim 49 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
56. The cutting block of claim 55 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
57. The cutting block of claim 55 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
58. The cutting block of claim 55 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
59. The cutting block of claim 58 wherein the material is zirconia.
60. The cutting block of claim 49 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting
guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
61. The cutting block of claim 60 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
62. The cutting block of claim 60 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
63. The cutting block of claim 60 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
64. The cutting block of claim 63 wherein the material is zirconia.
65. A cutting block system for use with a surgical saw blade in cutting and shaping a femur to receive a knee prosthesis, the femur having a distal end at a knee joint and a long axis substantially defined by the intramedullary channel component, said cutting block system comprising: a) a first cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said first cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut,
ii) a posterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur,- and b) a second cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said second cutting block means over a pre-formed angled surface created by a combination of a distal femoral cut and an anterior chamfer cut on the distal end of the femur, ii) an anterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
66. The cutting block of claim 65 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
67. The cutting block of claim 66 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
68. The cutting block of claim 65 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
69. The cutting block of claim 65 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
70. The cutting block of claim 69 wherein the material is zirconia.
71. The cutting block of claim 65 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
72. The cutting block of claim 71 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
73. The cutting block of claim 71 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
74. The cutting block of claim 71 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
75. The cutting block of claim 74 wherein the material is zirconia.
76. The cutting block of claim 65 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
77. The cutting block of claim 76 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
78. The cutting block of claim 76 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
79. The cutting block of claim 76 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
80. The cutting block of claim 79 wherein the material is zirconia.
81. A cutting block system for use with a surgical saw blade in cutting and shaping a femur to
receive a knee prosthesis, the femur having a distal end at a knee joint and a long axis substantially defined by the intramedullary channel component, said cutting block system comprising: a) a first cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said first cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, ii) an anterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur,- and b) a second cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said second cutting block over an angled surface created by a combination of a distal femoral cut and a posterior chamfer cut on the distal end of the femur, ii) a posterior cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior portion of the distal end of the
femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
82. The cutting block of claim 81 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
83. The cutting block of claim 82 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a
Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater), a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
84. The cutting block of claim 82 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
85. The cutting block of claim 82 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
86. The cutting block of claim 85 wherein the material is zirconia.
"87. The cutting block of claim 81 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
88. The cutting block of claim 87 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
89. The cutting block of claim 87 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
90. The cutting block of claim 87 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
91. The cutting block of claim 90 wherein the material is zirconia.
92. The cutting block of claim 81 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
93. The cutting block of claim 92 wherein the cutting guide is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
94. The cutting block of claim 92 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium and borides.
95. The cutting block of claim 92 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia and alumina.
96. The cutting block of claim 95 wherein the material is zirconia.
97. A surgical cutting block for making creating both a posterior cut and an anterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block provided with a first through channel and a second through channel and further comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, b) a posterior cutting guide means within said first channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur; and c) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means within said second through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
98. The cutting block of claim 97 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior
chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
99. The cutting block of claim 98 wherein the cutting reference surface is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
100. The cutting block of claim 97 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
101. The cutting block of claim 97 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
102. A surgical cutting block for making creating both an anterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block provided with a first through channel and a second through channel and further comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over an angled surface created by a combination
of a distal femoral cut and an anterior chamfer cut on the distal end of the femur, b) an anterior cutting guide means within said first through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and c) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means within said second through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
103. The cutting block of claim 102 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
104. The cutting block of claim 103 wherein the cutting reference surface is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
105. The cutting block of claim 102 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide,, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
106. The cutting block of claim 102 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
107. A surgical cutting block for creating both an anterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block provided with a first through channel and a second through channel and further comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, b) an anterior cutting guide means within said first through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and c) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means within said second through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
108. The cutting block of claim 107 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
109. The cutting block of claim 108 wherein the cutting reference surface is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
110. The cutting block of claim 107 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
111. The cutting block of claim 107 wherein the anterior cutting guide means and the posterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
112. A surgical cutting block for making creating both a posterior cut and an anterior chamfer cut to a distal end of a femur at a knee joint, the cuts configured for receipt of a knee prosthesis component, said cutting block provided with a first through channel and a second through channel and further comprising: a) means for coupling said cutting block over a pre-formed, angled surface created by the a combination of a distal femoral cut and a posterior chamfer cut,
b) a posterior cutting guide means within said first through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur; and c) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means within said second through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
113. The cutting block of claim 112 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
114. The cutting block of claim 113 wherein the cutting reference surface is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
115. The cutting block of claim 112 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form cutting reference surface.
116. The cutting block of claim 112 wherein the posterior cutting guide means and the anterior chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical
objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
117. A cutting block system for use with a surgical saw blade in cutting and shaping a femur to receive a knee prosthesis, the femur having a distal end at a knee joint and a long axis substantially defined by the intramedullary, channel component, said cutting block system comprising: a) a first cutting block provided with a first through channel and a second through channel, said first cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said first cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, ii) a posterior cutting guide means within said first through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means within said second through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur; and b) a second cutting block provided with a third through channel and a fourth through
channel, said second cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said second cutting block means over a pre-formed angled surface created by a combination of a distal femoral cut and an anterior chamfer cut on the distal end of the femur, ii) an anterior cutting guide means within said third through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means within said fourth through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
118. The cutting block of claim 117 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
119. The cutting block of claim 118 wherein the cutting reference surface is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
120. The cutting block of claim 117 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having
two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
121. The cutting block of claim 117 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
122. A cutting block system for use with a surgical saw blade in cutting and shaping a femur to receive a knee prosthesis, the femur having a distal end at a knee joint and a long axis substantially defined by the intramedullary channel component, said cutting block system comprising: a) a first cutting block provided with a first through channel and a second through channel, said cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said first cutting block over a pre-formed, planar surface created by a distal femoral cut, ii) an anterior cutting guide means within said first through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and
iii) a posterior chamfer cutting guide means within said second through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior section of the distal end of the femur in a plane lying at an angle to the long axis of the femur; and b) a second cutting block provided with a third through channel and a fourth through channel, said second cutting block provided with: i) means for coupling said second cutting block over an angled surface created by a combination of a distal femoral cut and a posterior chamfer cut on the distal end of the femur, ii) a posterior cutting guide means within said third through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of a posterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane substantially parallel to the long axis of the femur, and iii) an anterior chamfer cutting guide means within said fourth through channel for guiding the surgical saw blade in the removal of an anterior portion of the distal end of the femur in a plane at an angle to the long axis of the femur.
123. The cutting block of claim 122 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a planar cutting reference surface.
124. The cutting block of claim 123 wherein the cutting reference surface is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
125. The cutting block of claim 122 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means each comprises a cutting guide having two or more rods partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
126. The cutting block of claim 122 wherein each of the cutting guide means and the chamfer cutting guide means comprises a cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
127. A surgical cutting block comprising at least one cutting guide, said cutting guide provided with a cutting reference surface having ridged friction reduction means for reducing the frictional contact between a surgical blade and the cutting reference surface as the surgical saw blade passes over the cutting reference surface during a bone incision.
128. The surgical cutting guide of claim 127 wherein said ridged friction reduction means comprises two or more convexly curved rails elevated
above the cutting guide, said convexly curved rails defining the cutting reference surface.
129. The surgical cutting guide of claim 128 wherein the two or more convexly curved rails are comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
130. The surgical cutting block of claim 129 wherein the material is zirconia.
131. A surgical cutting block comprising at least one cutting guide having a through channel, said cutting guide provided within the through channel a cutting reference surface having ridged friction reduction means for reducing the frictional contact between a surgical blade and the cutting reference surface as the surgical saw blade passes over the cutting reference surface during a bone incision.
133. The surgical cutting guide of claim 131 wherein said ridged friction reduction means comprises two or more convexly curved rails elevated above the cutting guide, said convexly curved rails defining the cutting reference surface.
133. The surgical cutting guide of claim 132 wherein the two or more convexly curved rails are comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
134. The surgical cutting block of claim 133 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium, and borides.
135. The surgical cutting block of claim 134 wherein the material is zirconia.
136. A surgical cutting block comprising at least one cutting guide, said cutting guide having two or more rods, each rod partially captured within a track formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a lengthwise portion of each rod being exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
137. The surgical cutting guide of claim 136 wherein the two or more rods are comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
138. The surgical cutting block of claim 137 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium, and borides.
139. The surgical cutting block of claim 138 wherein the material is zirconia.
140. A surgical cutting block comprising at least one cutting guide provided with a through channel, said cutting guide having two or more rods, each rod partially captured within a track formed on a surface of the cutting guide within the through channel, a lengthwise portion of each rod being
exposed and elevated above the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
141. The surgical cutting guide of claim 140 wherein the two or more rods are comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
142. The surgical cutting block of claim 141 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium, and borides.
143. The surgical cutting block of claim 142 wherein the material is zirconia.
144. A surgical cutting block comprising at least one cutting guide, said cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
145. The surgical cutting guide of claim 144 wherein the plurality of spherical objects is comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
146. The surgical cutting block of claim 145 wherein the material is selected from the group
consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium, and borides.
147. The surgical cutting block of claim 146 wherein the material is zirconia.
148. A surgical cutting block comprising at least one cutting guide provided with a through channel, said cutting guide having a plurality of substantially spherical objects partially captured within two or more tracks formed on a surface of the cutting guide within the through channel, a more or less equal portion of each spherical object being exposed and elevated above the surface of the cutting guide to form a cutting reference surface.
149. The surgical cutting guide of claim 178 wherein the two or more rods are comprised of a material having a Knoop hardness of 466 or greater (under a 500 gm load or greater) , a chrome content of 0-10 per cent, and a nickel content of 0-4 per cent.
150. The surgical cutting block of claim 149 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, nitrogen-hardened titanium, and borides.
151. The surgical cutting block of claim 150 wherein the material is zirconia.