Apparatus and methods for making intraoperative orthopedic measurements

• US 20030105470A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael R White
• Original Assignee: Michael R White
• Inventors: White, Michael R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,001,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for making intraoperative orthopedic measurements are provided. Using telemetry devices attached to a patient, relative measurements of the positions and orientations of the patient'"'"'s bones may be determined. Using the relative measurements of the positions and orientations of the patient'"'"'s bones, a differential measurement may be determined in connection with the orthopedic medical procedure.

Claims

1. A method for making orthopedic measurements during an orthopedic medical procedure, wherein a plurality of telemetry devices are attached to a patient, and wherein each telemetry device of the plurality of telemetry devices is connected to a processing device via a communication link, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that the plurality of telemetry devices are in a first position;

recording the first position of the plurality of telemetry devices;

receiving an indication that the plurality of telemetry devices are in a second position;

recording the second position of the plurality of telemetry devices; and

determining a differential measurement in connection with the orthopedic medical procedure, wherein the differential measurement is based at least in part on the first position and the second position.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing on a display an output that corresponds to the differential measurement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a first one of the plurality of telemetry devices is a first electromagnetic receiver, wherein a second one of the plurality of telemetry devices is a second electromagnetic receiver, and wherein a third one of the plurality of telemetry devices is a magnetic field generator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of telemetry devices consists of a first telemetry device and a second telemetry device, wherein the first telemetry device is an electromagnetic receiver, and wherein the second telemetry device is a magnetic field generator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of telemetry devices are a plurality of radio frequency telemetry devices, and wherein the communication link between each radio frequency telemetry device of the plurality of radio frequency telemetry devices and the processing device is a wireless communication link.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic medical procedure is a hip joint replacement procedure, and wherein the differential measurement is a leg length difference.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic medical procedure is a hip joint replacement procedure, and wherein the differential measurement is an offset.

8. An apparatus having a processing device, the apparatus for making orthopedic measurements during an orthopedic medical procedure, wherein a plurality of telemetry devices are attached to a patient, and wherein each telemetry device of the plurality of telemetry devices is connected to the processing device via a communication link, the apparatus comprising:

the processing device comprising;

a storage device;

a processor connected to the storage device, the storage device storing a processing device program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the processing device program to;

receive an indication that the plurality of telemetry devices are in a first position;

record the first position of the plurality of telemetry devices;

receive an indication that the plurality of telemetry devices are in a second position;

record the second position of the plurality of telemetry devices; and

determine a differential measurement in connection with the orthopedic medical procedure, wherein the differential measurement is based at least in part on the first position and the second position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further operative with the processing device program to provide on a display an output that corresponds to the differential measurement.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a first one of the plurality of telemetry devices is a first electromagnetic receiver, wherein a second one of the plurality of telemetry devices is a second electromagnetic receiver, and wherein a third one of the plurality of telemetry devices is a magnetic field generator.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of telemetry devices consists of a first telemetry device and a second telemetry device, wherein the first telemetry device is an electromagnetic receiver, and wherein the second telemetry device is a magnetic field generator.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of telemetry devices are a plurality of radio frequency telemetry devices, and wherein the communication link between each radio frequency telemetry device of the plurality of radio frequency telemetry devices and the processing device is a wireless communication link.

13. An apparatus for attachment of a telemetry device to a bone of a patient in an orthopedic medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

a U-shaped piece having a front face and a back face;

a bone screw; and

an anti-rotation pin, wherein the U-shaped piece has a hole extending therethrough from the front face to the back face for receiving the bone screw, and wherein the anti-rotation pin extends from the back face of the U-shaped piece.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an end portion of the anti-rotation pin that is inserted into the bone has three substantially triangular faces to prevent rotation of the U-shaped piece.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the U-shaped piece has a rectangular opening extending from the front face to the back face.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the rectangular opening in the U-shaped piece receives the telemetry device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the telemetry device is encased within a telemetry device housing, and wherein the U-shaped piece is integral with the telemetry device housing.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein U-shaped piece and the telemetry device housing are a one-piece plastic injection molding.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the telemetry device is an electromagnetic receiver, and wherein the U-shaped piece, the bone screw, and the anti-rotation pin are each constructed of a non-magnetic material.

20. An apparatus for attachment of a telemetry device to a bone of a patient in an orthopedic medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

a U-shaped channel for receiving the telemetry device having two side portions and a base portion; and

a plurality of pins, wherein the base portion of the U-shaped channel has a plurality of holes to receive the plurality of pins, and wherein each pin of the plurality of pins has a sharpened end portion for insertion into the bone.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a driver, wherein the driver is received within the confines of the U-shaped channel to drive the pins into the bone.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the two side portions of the U-shaped channel exert a force on the telemetry device to hold the telemetry device in place within the U-shaped channel.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the telemetry device is an electromagnetic receiver, and wherein the U-shaped channel and the pins are each constructed of a non-magnetic material.