Universal positioning block
First Claim
1. A method of installing a positioning block on a bone element, the positioning block having a reference surface and being operatively engageable with a cutting tool, the method comprising:
- fastening the positioning block to the bone element;
determining a desired position of the reference surface of the positioning block relative to the bone element;
adjusting at least one of the position and orientation of the positioning block, until the reference surface is in the desired position; and
using the reference surface in the desired position as a reference for locating the cutting tool in a predetermined location on the bone element, such that a cut can be made in the bone element at the predetermined location.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A positioning block for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element to which it is fixed. The positioning block comprises a rotational mounting element that is removably engaged to the bone element such that the mounting element is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation. A guide body portion is engaged with the mounting element such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis and an anterior-posterior axis, while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element such that the guide body portion and the mounting element rotate together relative to the bone element.
206 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of installing a positioning block on a bone element, the positioning block having a reference surface and being operatively engageable with a cutting tool, the method comprising:
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fastening the positioning block to the bone element;
determining a desired position of the reference surface of the positioning block relative to the bone element;
adjusting at least one of the position and orientation of the positioning block, until the reference surface is in the desired position; and
using the reference surface in the desired position as a reference for locating the cutting tool in a predetermined location on the bone element, such that a cut can be made in the bone element at the predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A positioning block for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element to which it is fixed, the positioning block comprising:
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a rotational mounting element being removably engageable to the bone element such that the mounting element is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation; and
a guide body portion being engaged with the mounting element such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis and an anterior-posterior axis, while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element such that the guide body portion and the mounting element rotate together relative to the bone element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer assisted total knee replacement surgery system comprising:
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a positioning block being fastenable to a bone element;
means for determining the position and orientation of the positioning block relative to the bone element;
the positioning block having a reference surface and being operatively engageable with a cutting tool;
means for identifying a desired position of the positioning block relative to the bone element, such that the reference surface is located in a position relative to the bone element whereby the cutting tool, disposed in a known position relative to the reference surface, is located in a selected position relative to the bone element, such that a cut can be made in the bone element at the selected position; and
a display capable of indicating when the desired location of the positioning block is reached. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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27. The system as defined in 26, wherein the display can indicate the position of the polyaxial screw relative to the bone element, and when to stop the insertion of the polyaxial screw using the screwdriver, such that the polyaxial screw is located at a position permitting the positioning block to be at the desired location when engaged thereto.
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32. A positioning block permitting at least two independently adjustable degrees-of-freedom relative to a bone element to which it is attached, the positioning block comprising:
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a bone anchoring element being fastenable to the bone element;
a cutting tool guide element operatively engageable with a cutting tool and adjustably engageable with the bone anchoring element such that selective displacement in at least two degrees-of-freedom relative to the bone element is permitted, enabling the cutting tool to be disposed in a desired position and orientation for cutting the bone element; and
at least two independent adjustment mechanisms, each being adjustable in substantial isolation for respectively displacing the cutting tool guide element in one of the at least two degrees-of-freedom. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification