Disclosed is a method of forming at least a portion of a mask (4) that is structured to engage at least a portion of the face of a patient (52). The method can be generally stated as including employing at least a portion of a data set (74) that is stored on a machine-readable storage medium (72) and that is representative of the shape of at least a portion of the face in generating a configuration for an cushion element (24) of the mask. The cushion element is structured to extend from a support (20) of the mask and to have an engagement end (50) bopposite the support that corresponds with the shape of the at least portion of the face. The method can be generally stated as further including subjecting a workpiece (78) to a formation operation to cause at least a portion of the workpiece to be formed into the cushion element having the engagement end.

This invention is directed to orthopedic implants and systems. The invention also relates to methods of implant design, manufacture, modeling and implantation as well as to surgical tools and kits used therewith. The implants are designed by analyzing the articular surface to be corrected and creating a device with an anatomic or near anatomic fit; or selecting a pre-designed implant having characteristics that give the implant the best fit to the existing defect.