Devices, methods, and systems for prosthetic meniscus selection, trialing, and implantation

Abstract

Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. In some instances, the during-implantation selection method includes monitoring loads and/or pressures applied to the prosthetic device and/or the adjacent anatomy. In some instances, the loads and/or pressures are monitored by a trial prosthetic device comprising one or more sensors. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed.

1 . A surgical method, comprising:
 utilizing a pre-implantation matching process to identify at least two suitable meniscus prosthetic devices from a library of available meniscus prosthetic devices for replacing a meniscus of a knee joint of a patient;   obtaining at least two trial prosthetic devices corresponding to the at least two suitable prosthetic devices identified by the pre-implantation matching process;   positioning a first trial prosthetic device of the at least two trial prosthetic devices within the knee joint of the patient;   loading the knee joint of the patient with the first trial prosthetic device positioned within the knee joint;   obtaining a first contact pressure across the first trial prosthetic device during loading of the knee joint with the first trial prosthetic device positioned within the knee joint;   evaluating the first trial prosthetic device based on the contact pressure distribution;   removing the first trial prosthetic device from the knee joint;   positioning a second trial prosthetic device of the at least two trial prosthetic devices within the knee joint of the patient;   loading the knee joint of the patient with the second trial prosthetic device positioned within the knee joint;   obtaining a second contact pressure across the second trial prosthetic device during loading of the knee joint with the second trial prosthetic device positioned within the knee joint;   evaluating the second trial prosthetic device based on the second contact pressure distribution;   identifying a best prosthetic device for the patient based on the evaluations of the at least two trial prosthetic devices; and   implanting the best prosthetic device for the patient into the knee joint of the patient.