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`l. A method for using a patient specific alignment device for arthroplasty of a portion of a
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`joint, the method comprising:
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`providing an alignment device, the alignment device being configured to at least a portion
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`of a bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint;
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`cutting only a portion of the joint; and
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`positioning a tray and a bearing with respect to a portion of the joint,
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`wherein the bearing is configured to move in at least one direction with respect to the tray.
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`2. The method of claim 1, wherein the arthroplasty includes unicompartmental knee
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`arthroplasty.
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`3. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint includes a knee joint and the tray includes a
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`tibial tray.
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`4. The method of claim 1, wherein the bearing includes a mobile bearing.
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`5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a metal and the bearing includes a
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`polymer.
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`6. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of cutting is performed while the joint is free of
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`an extramedullary or intramedullary alignment rod.
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`7. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of cutting is performed with an articular surface
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`of a patella of the joint facing a femur of the joint.
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`8. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligment device is a single use device that is
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`configured to be sterily packaged.
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`9. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment device is configured to at least a portion
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`of an uncut bone surface of the joint.
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`10. The method of claim 1, wherein imaging includes MRI, X-ray based, fluoroscopic,
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`arthroscopic, endoscopic, or fiber optic imaging device.
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`ll. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of cutting includes preserving at least a portion
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`of a ligament.
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`12. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment device includes at least one cannulation.
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`13. The method of claim 12, filrther comprising positioning at least a portion of a secondary
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`alignment device or a cutting guide with respect to at least one cannulation.
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`14. The method of claim 1, wherein a width of the alignment device is smaller than a width
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`of a bone of the joint.
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`15. The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment device includes a slot.
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`16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of a guide surface of the slot
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`includes metal.
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`17. The method of claim 1, further comprising an act of providing a kit including the
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`alignment device, tray, and bearing.
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`18. The method of claim 1, wherein the bearing is configured to at least a portion of a
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`bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint of the specific patient.
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`19. A method for using a patient specific alignment device for arthroplasty of a portion of a
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`joint, the method comprising:
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`providing an alignment device, the alignment device being configured to at least a portion
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`of the joint based on preoperative imaging of the patient;
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`cutting only a portion of the joint; and
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`positioning a tray and a bearing with respect a portion of the joint,
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`wherein the bearing is configured to be fixed relative to the tray.
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`20. The method of claim 19, wherein the arthroplasty includes unicompartmental knee
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`arthroplasty.
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`21. The method of claim 19, wherein the joint includes a knee joint and the tray includes a
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`tibial tray.
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`22. The method of claim 19, wherein the bearing includes a fixed bearing.
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`23. The method of claim 19, wherein the tray includes a metal and the bearing includes a
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`polymer.
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`24. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of cutting is performed while the joint is fiee
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`of an extramedullary or intramedullary alignment rod.
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`25. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of cutting is performed with an articular
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`surface of a patella of the joint facing a femur of the joint.
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`26. The method of claim 19, wherein the aligment device is a single use device that is
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`configured to be sterily packaged.
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`27. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment device is configured to at least a portion
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`of an uncut bone surface of the joint.
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`28. The method of claim 19, wherein imaging includes MRI, X-ray based, fluoroscopic,
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`arthroscopic, endoscopic, or fiber optic imaging device.
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`29. The method of claim 19, wherein the act of cutting includes preserving at least a portion
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`of a ligament.
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`30.The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment device includes at least one cannulation.
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`3 l. The method of claim 30, fiarther comprising positioning at least a portion of a secondary
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`alignment device or a cutting guide with respect to at least one cannulation.
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`32. The method of claim 19, wherein a width of the alignment device is smaller than a
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`width of a bone of the joint.
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`33. The method of claim 19, wherein the alignment device includes a slot.
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`34. The method of claim 33, wherein at least a portion of a guide surface of the slot
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`includes metal.
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`35. The method of claim 19, further comprising an act of providing a kit including the
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`alignment device, tray, and bearing.
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`36. The method of claim 19, wherein the bearing is configured to at least a portion of a
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`bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint of the specific patient.
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`37. A method for using a patient specific alignment device for unicompartmental
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`arthroplasty of a joint, the method comprising:
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`providing an alignment device, the alignment device being configured to at least a portion a
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`bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint;
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`cutting only a medial or lateral condyle of a tibia and a femur of the joint; and
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`positioning a tibial tray and a bearing with respect to a portion of the joint.
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`l7l
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`38. The method of claim 37, wherein the tray includes a metal and the bearing includes a
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`polymer.
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`39. The method of claim 37, wherein the act of cutting is performed while the joint is free
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`of an extramedullary or intramedullary alignment rod.
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`40. The method of claim 37, wherein the act of cutting is performed with an articular
`
`surface of a patella of the joint facing a femur of the joint.
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`41. The method of claim 37, wherein the aligment device is a single use device that is
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`configured to be sterily packaged.
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`42. The method of claim 37, wherein the alignment device is configured to at least a portion
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`of an uncut bone surface of the joint.
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`43. The method of claim 37, wherein imaging includes MRI, X-ray based, fluoroscopic,
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`arthroscopic, endoscopic, or fiber optic imaging device.
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`44. The method of claim 37, wherein the act of cutting includes preserving at least a portion
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`of a ligament.
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`45.The method of claim 37, wherein the alignment device includes at least one cannulation.
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`46. The method of claim 45, fiarther comprising positioning at least a portion of a secondary
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`alignment device or a cutting guide with respect to at least one cannulation.
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`47. The method of claim 37, wherein a width of the alignment device is smaller than a
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`width of a bone of the joint.
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`48. The method of claim 37, wherein the alignment device includes a slot.
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`49. The method of claim 48, wherein at least a portion of a guide surface of the slot
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`includes metal.
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`50. The method of claim 37, further comprising an act of providing a kit including
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`alignment device, tray, and bearing.
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`51. The method of claim 37, wherein the bearing is configured to at least a portion of a
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`bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint of the specific patient.
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