Surgical laser guide and method of use

• US 20070073296A1
• Filed: 09/13/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Panchbhavi, Vinod
• Granted Patent: US 8,388,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for aligning two or more longitudinally space parts of a body, such as leg bones, prior to and/or during a surgical procedure using a laser light guide assembly are described. The apparatus may have a saddle for attachment to a specific body part, and comprises a first horizontally rotatable structural member pivotably secured to the saddle or other support means, and a second rotatable structural member aligned vertically and perpendicular to the first structural member. A laser light guide which includes a laser is attached to the second structural member, the laser capable of generating a laser light beam of sufficient strength and intensity to allow for alignment of the body parts prior to and during a surgical procedure.

Claims

1. A laser guide assembly for visually assessing the alignment of bones in one or more appendages of a mammal during surgical procedures, the assembly comprising:

a first horizontally rotatable structural member pivotally secured to the saddle;

a second structural member secured perpendicular to the first structural member;

a laser emitting means movably secured to the second structural member; and

an adjustment assembly capable of adjusting the height of the laser emitting means in a vertical direction.

2. The laser guide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a saddle intermediate between a surface of the appendage and the first horizontally rotatable structural member.

3. The laser guide assembly of claim 2, wherein the saddle further comprises at least one radio-opaque element embedded in the surface.

4. The laser guide assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one radio-opaque element is a metal-containing, chemical-containing, or periodic element-containing radiographic marker.

5. The laser guide assembly of claim 2, wherein the saddle is attached to the appendage undergoing the surgical procedure.

6. The laser guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the laser emitting means comprises a laser selected from the group consisting of class 1, class 1 M, class 2, class 2M, class 3, class 3a, class 3R, class 3B, class 2M/3R, class 4 lasers, or combinations thereof.

7. The laser guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the laser emitting means comprises a laser generating laser radiation in the range from about 600 nm to about 700 nm.

8. A method for projecting a reference line onto a part of a mammal'"'"'s body so as to assess the alignment of bones during surgical procedures, the method comprising:

contacting a laser guide assembly of claim 1 to a first surface of the mammal'"'"'s body;

adjusting the laser guide assembly relative to the first surface; and

projecting a laser onto a second surface of the mammal'"'"'s body to display the reference line.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mammal is a human being.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting of the laser guide assembly is performed using radio-opaque markers or objects.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising maintaining the laser guide assembly and projected reference line in position for substantially the entirety of the surgical procedure.

12. A method of aligning one or more bones of an appendage of a patient'"'"'s body in preparation for a medical procedure, the method comprising:

contacting a laser guide assembly of claim 1 to a first surface of the appendage;

adjusting the laser guide assembly relative to the first surface of the appendage,

projecting a laser light ray emitting from a laser light emitting means associated with the laser guide assembly onto a second surface of the patient'"'"'s body, so as to display a laser light reference line; and

aligning the one or more bones of the appendage so as to be in a position that is substantially anatomically correct.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the medical procedure to be performed is an intramedullary nailing.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the appendage is a mammalian leg.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the adjusting of the assembly relative to the first surface of the appendage is effected at least in part by one or more radio-opaque elements associated with the laser guide assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein one or more radio-opaque elements is a metal-containing, chemical-containing, or periodic element-containing radiographic marker.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the laser light ray projected has a wavelength ranging from about 600 nm to about 700 nm.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more bones to be aligned include the tibia, the fibia, or both the tibia and the fibia.