a smoothing device of the present invention will be further described with reference to the drawing , where fig1 shows top ( a ), side ( b ), bottom ( c ) and end ( d ) perspectives - of a - preferred smoothing device of this invention . as shown , the device is comprised of a substantially flat metallic ( e . g ., stainless steel ) blade - shaped piece ( 110 ), having on its proximal end an integral or fixably attached shaft ( 112 ) for attachment to a powered surgical instrument , such as a reciprocating saw device ( not shown ), and on its distal end both a center punched hole or dimple ( 114 ) denoting the proximal end of the smoothing portion , and on one major surface the smoothing portion itself ( 116 ). fig2 and 3 show detailed perspectives of the distal , smoothing portion of the bottom perspective of fig1 , having both fine and course smoothing textures , respectively . the device can have any suitable dimensions , e . g ., with a blade length of between about 100 mm and 150 mm ( 117 mm as shown ), including a grit portion of between about 20 mm and about 40 mm in length ( 27 mm as shown ). the blade can be of any suitable width , e . g ., between about 5 mm and about 10 mm ( 7 . 5 mm as shown ), and have a thickness ( proximal to the smoothing portion ) sufficient to provide desired flexibility , e . g ., between about 0 . 3 mm and about 5 mm ( 0 . 56 mm as shown ). the smoothing portion of fig2 is shown as a plurality of closely placed pegs ( here shown having slightly raised edges ) extending through the blade , machined to have a total thickness of between about 0 . 5 and about 1 mm ( 0 . 77 as shown ), having staggered centers and each having a diameter of 0 . 8 mm with a height of 0 . 28 mm . a smoothing portion having such dimensions can provide a relative fine smoothing portion , as compared to the coarser portion shown in fig3 , where the pegs again have staggered centers , with centers separated by 1 . 625 mm along the x - axis and by 2 . 5 mm along the y - axis , as well as each having a diameter of 2 . 2 mm , a height of 0 . 28 mm . osteophytes and entheseophytes are proliferative cartilaginous and bony growths formed by acute injury , chronic irritation or degeneration of joint tissue . they can destabilize a joint , by undergoing endochondral ossification , and have the potential to cause substantial damage by encroaching into the joint space or breaking off and becoming loose bodies . when present in contact with an implant as described herein , and particularly in articulating contact over long periods of time , these structures can result in accelerated degradation of the implant surface . a system of this invention includes a reciprocating blade device having one or more major surfaces , at least one of the major surfaces being provided in a textured form suitable to compress and / or remove tissue , including optionally bone , in order to smooth the bone surface . the device itself can be formed of any suitable material , and is preferably formed of metal or other suitably flexible but strong material . the abrasive texture can be formed in different ways , either within and / or upon the material forming the reciprocating blade itself , or as a separate layer or portion attached thereto . the textured surface can , for instance , include a series of machined holes through a substantially flat metallic blade , or as a plurality of raised pegs , rising above but preferably integral with the plane of the device itself . by varying the size and spacing of the holes different cutting effects can be achieved . the holes can be made using various techniques including laser , electrical discharge machining ( edm ), or chemical etching . creating a plurality of raised portions with sharp edges can also be used to provide suitable texture . similarly , conventional processes of chemical etching and die stamping can be used to make this type of abrasive surface . preferably , the smoothing portion is textured to a desired extent , sufficient to permit it to be used for smoothing bone in reciprocating movement , e . g ., reciprocating at high speed and with an excursion of between about ½ mm and about 10 mm , and more preferably between about 1 mm and about 5 mm . ideally , the surface is itself of a type that will not dislodge any particles ( e . g ., abrasive debris ) in the course of its use . in turn , the device is preferably adapted to be used in a minimally invasive fashion , and without the substantial release of debris from the device surface . the blade device can be adapted to be attached to and operated by a conventional reciprocating cutting instrument , such as those available from medtronic , inc . as the “ midas rex ” line of powered surgical instrumentation , or from stryker as the model 2106 reciprocating saw . a reciprocating smoothing system of this invention has particular use in the preparation of a joint site for receiving a polymeric implant of the type described in applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending u . s . application ser . no . 10 / 167 , 963 filed jun . 12 , 2002 . the system of this invention can be used for smoothing the surface of a bone in the knee , hip , spine , wrist , elbow , shoulder or ankle . a smoothing system of this invention can be used with an array of methods and systems for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints , - including one or both of two articulating surfaces and / or portions thereof , and particularly articulating joints such as the knee . in one preferred embodiment , the repair / resurfacing method relies , at least in part , upon the manner in which the various stages of curing a curable biomaterial , and in turn , the various stages of forming a component from the cured or curing biomaterial , can be correlated and optimized in a desired manner . in turn , such a method provides the ability to both generally and specifically form the component for use in situ . fig1 of applicant &# 39 ; s above - captioned , co - pending published us application ( reproduced as fig4 herein ) shows a top and side perspective of a preferred preformed knee implant ( 10 ) prepared using an ex vivo mold according to the present invention . the implant provides a first major surface ( 12 ) adapted to be positioned upon the tibial surface , and a generally planar second major surface ( 14 ) adapted to be positioned against the femoral condyle . in a typical embodiment , the second major surface , in turn , is preferably provided with a femoral glide path ( 16 ) to facilitate its performance in situ , in the form of a generally central ( e . g ., oval ) depression about 0 . 5 mm , or more preferably about 1 mm to about 5 mm deep at its lowest point ( 2 mm as shown ) and about 20 mm , and more preferably about 30 mm to about 50 mm in length by 10 mm to 30 mm in width ( 40 mm by 20 mm as shown ). those skilled in the art , given the present description , will readily determine the actual dimensions for optimal use , in both absolute and relative terms , depending on such factors as the actual joint size and desired results ( e . g ., angular correction ). as shown , the implant is also provided with a tibial projection ( 18 ), adapted to catch the posterior portion of the tibial plateau by extending over the rim of the tibial plateau distally . the body of the implant can have dimensions on the order of between about 35 mm , and preferably about 40 mm to about 60 mm in the anterior - posterior dimension , between about 20 mm , and preferably 30 mm to about 35 mm , or even about 40 mm in the medial - lateral dimension , and a maximum thickness ( at the posterior lip of between about 8 mm , more preferably about 10 mm , and about 20 mm , or about 2 mm to about 4 mm ( e . g ., 3 mm ) greater than the thickness of the implant at the center . as a result , it can be seen that fixation is accomplished by effectively capping the tibial plateau with one or more projections extending distally over the rim of the plateau . fig1 of applicant &# 39 ; s co - pending published application ( reproduced as fig5 herein ) shows various views of a particularly preferred implant of the present invention , of the general type shown in fig1 and described above , including a top plan view ( a ), front plan view ( b ), side plan view ( c ), section view ( d ) taken along a - a of fig1 ( a ) and a section view ( e ) taken along c - c of fig1 ( a ). fig1 , in turn , ( reproduced as fig6 herein ) show side by side top plan views ( a ) and ( b ) of corresponding implants for the left and right knees , respectively . reference numbers for the various portions correspond to those described in fig1 , including preformed knee implant ( 10 ), the first major surface ( 12 ) adapted to be positioned upon the tibial surface , and a generally planar second major surface ( 14 ) adapted to be positioned against the femoral condyle . the second major surface is shown having a femoral glide path surface ( 16 ) to facilitate its performance in situ , adapted to form a generally central depression having the dimensions described herein . the glide path is fully formed in situ , by a suitable combination of both shaping and repositioning of the femoral condyle in the manner described herein . an implant of the type shown provides various benefits , including the correction of varus deformities , based in significant part upon the presence and configuration of the posterior mesial lip ( 18 ), and the cutout ( kidney bean shaped ) for the intercondylar eminence . the tibial projection ( 18 ) is adapted to catch the posterior portion of the tibial plateau . the implant itself has dimensions as provided herein , and can be provided using one of a collection of molds of multiple sizes and / or styles in accordance with the various parameters of the present invention . a kit can be provided containing molds of various sizes , e . g ., varying by 1 mm or 2 mm 30 increments in thickness and providing a range of anterior to posterior dimensions . such molds can also be used to provide implants having bottoms of various shapes , e . g ., either a flat or curved bottom , and for either the left or right knee . an implant such as the configuration shown in fig5 herein is preferably used in a method that includes first determining the proper implant thickness needed to match physiological valgus . the surgeon prepares the site arthroscopically , removing excess cartilage and removing the medial meniscus to the medial ring , using a portal of about 1 cm in order to provide suitable arthroscopic access while maintaining the presence of fluid in the joint . the implant can be initially molded ex vivo , using a mold selected from those available and including one or more embedded or attached fixation portions ( e . g ., anterior sutures or tabs ), at which time it is inserted into the knee . the surgeon will then typically feel the implant once in position , to confirm that the implant is properly seated , and will extend the knee to provide varus stress on the lower leg , obtaining congruency as the implant continues to cure by finally molding both surfaces of the implant ( to both the tibial surface and condyle , respectively ). in the preferred embodiment , the patient will have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and have loss of cartilage on the articulating surface . a determination will be made of the amount of correction needed for the reestablishment of a normal angle of articulation . the ligaments will be balanced so that there is no loss of range of motion with the implant in place and the surface will be placed in such a position that the eventual resulting surface geometry reestablishes the same plane and orientation of the original articular surface . access to the site is preferably obtained in a minimally invasive way . in a particularly preferred embodiment , this is accomplished through arthroscopic means with arthroscopic portals . in an alternative embodiment , the access is accomplished by a mini arthrotomy with a small incision that allows access to the joint without sacrificing nerves , vessels , muscles or ligaments surrounding the joint . in the preferred embodiment fibrillated articulating cartilage that is degenerated is removed down to the subchondral surface . a medial arthrotomy is created to provide access for the implant . this also provides an opening to use a smoothing device of the present invention on either the femoral and / or tibial surfaces . the smoothing device can be secured to the powered driver ( e . g ., a triton brand reciprocating saw ) by inserting the shaft of the device and tightening the collett on the driver . the speed of the driver is controlled in two ways , namely , by either limiting the air pressure delivered to the driver using an air regulator , and / or by a variable speed valve on the driver , which provides more speed ( strokes per second ) with increased depression of the control lever . the smoothing device can be manipulated around and within the joint space , usually guided by placing an - index finger on the non - cutting side of the - blade . the blade is sufficiently flexible to permit it to be bended by finger pressure alone , without undue fatigue on the part of the surgeon . ridges and shape points can be removed from the femur , while taking care not to cut through to trabecular bone . the relatively non - aggressive cutting surface of the device , relative to conventional rasps and rotating burrs , makes this easier to accomplish . osteophytes should also be removed if they might impinge on the implant or limit range of motion . smoothness of the femoral and / or tibial surfaces can be judged in any suitable manner , including by finger palpation . when the surfaces are deemed smooth enough , the joint is thoroughly irrigated to remove any debris . although typically powered , the excursion can be kept within a range sufficient to permit the surgeon &# 39 ; s finger to be kept on the opposite ( non - smoothing ) surface of the blade - like device , in order to gently oscillate with it . this , combined with the desired flexibility of the device permit it to be moved around the joint , assuming different conformations , in order to smooth any particular surface . in an optional approach for smoothing the femoral surface and removing osteophytes , the smoothing device can be placed on the tibial plateau , in a manner that permits it to be contoured congruent with the femur . in this approach the device need not be powered by a reciprocator or oscillator . instead , the joint can be put through a range of motion with gentle pressure on the medial compartment applied by placing varus pressure on the lower leg . this motion sweeps the femur across the textured surface of the device , thus smoothing the femoral surface . fig7 provides a depiction of such alternative embodiment in which movement of the knee itself , ranging between flexion and extension , is used to achieve smoothing using a device as described herein . as shown , the smoothing device can be substantially thicker than a powered device ( e . g ., on the order of about 2 mm to about 4 mm , and is provided with a raised distal rim adapted to contact the posterior femoral surface , in order to remove osteophytes there . the distal rim serves the added benefit of helping to release the posterior capsule , which is particularly helpful for patients with extension deficits . in yet another approach , as shown in fig8 , the smoothing device can be provided with a lower smoothing surface sized and adapted , upon its full range of excursion ,- to smooth - and shape an area upon - that tibial - surface that closely resemble the shape and dimensions of the implant itself . the smoothing device can then be held in position upon the tibial plateau and reciprocated , e . g ., using a suitable powered instrument . in a related approach , the device and method of this invention can be used to achieve a predetermined , standardized conformation and / or degree of smoothness . for instance , suitably shaped devices and / or guides can be used to provide the condylar surface with a predetermined radius , corresponding to the particular implant to be used . a system , including smoothing device , of this invention can be used to prepare the surface of the condyle prior to delivery of a polymeric implant as described herein . in use , the textured section of the smoother can be adjusted to the anatomy by bending so it can access areas not accessible with a straight rasp or shaver . for example , the bend allows the smoother to remove osteophytes from the posterior portion of the condyle , which would not be accessible with a commonly used rasp or shaver . the smoother can also be guided into contact with different areas of the bone by flexing and extending the joint . since the operator need only guide the smoother into position and the motion of the smoother which causes the bone removal is provided by the reciprocating action of the aw , it can easily be used through 1 cm portal as well as a small arthrotomy . since the abrasive surface is non - aggressive to soft tissue the surgeon can use a gloved indexed finger to direct , enhance and evaluate the smoothing of a bony surface . the surface is dried and prepared for appropriate anchoring . this may include anchor points that give a mechanical lock or that alternatively simply supply horizontal and lateral stability . the surface may be prepared by drying and roughening in case a tissue adhesive is used . pre - made anchors may be installed . these may be made of various metallic materials or of polymers and may consist of pegs that would extend up through the implant to anchor it to the underlying surface . this surrounding subchondral bone may be roughened to enhance tissue ingrowth or implant adhesion . once appropriate size , shape have been determined , an appropriate final implant can be selected and / or made , and in turn implanted and secured , e . g ., in the manner described in applicant &# 39 ; s above - captioned co - pending published application .
a method and system for preparing a bone surface , as by smoothing the surface , in preparation for contacting and / or receiving a prosthetic implant . the smoothing system and method are particularly well suited for use with articulating joints , in which a polymeric biomaterial such as polyurethane is implanted and retained upon one bone surface , in order to provide a corresponding surface for opposing , articulating bone . smoothing condylar bone , for instance , can significantly decrease the friction between a the condylar surface , and particularly one that is itself diseased or damaged , and to remove osteophytes and entheseophytes .