Patient-Specific Alignment Guide For Multiple Incisions

• US 20080114370A1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schoenefeld, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,298,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1721 for applying pins along or parallel to the axis of the femoral neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/744 the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/568 produced with shape and dimensions specific for an individual patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/00 Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/56; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devicesbandages, dressings or absorbent pads A61F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/98 Drill guide

Abstract

A patient-specific alignment guide for an orthopedic implant. The alignment guide can include a body having first and second opposing surfaces, the second surface adapted for positioning over a skin surface, and at least one extension extending from the second surface body. The extension has a distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy, and at least one guiding passage extending between the first surface of the body and the distal end of the extension.

Claims

1. A patient-specific alignment guide for orthopedic surgery comprising:

a body having first and second opposing surfaces, the second surface adapted for positioning over a skin surface;

at least one extension extending from the second surface body, the extension having a distal end, the distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy; and

at least one guiding passage extending between the first surface of the body and the distal end of the extension.

2. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the extension is modularly coupled to the body.

3. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the extension is integral to the body forming one monolithic piece.

4. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the extension is telescopically coupled to the body.

5. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the extension is pivotably coupled to the body.

6. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the guiding passage is an internal bore passing through the extension.

7. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the guiding passage is an open channel along an outer surface of the extension.

8. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the guiding passage has a slot-like cross-section.

9. The alignment guide of claim 1, wherein the distal end of each extension defines a three-dimensional patient-specific contour.

10. A patient-specific alignment guide for orthopedic surgery comprising:

a body having first and second opposing surfaces, the second surface for positioning over the skin; and

a plurality of extensions extending from the body, each extension having a distal end, at least one extension having a distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy, the at least one extension having a longitudinal guiding passage communicating with the first surface of the body and extending to the distal end of the at least one extension.

11. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the guiding passage is aligned along a longitudinal axis and the orientation and position of the axis is patient-specific.

12. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the orientation of the guiding passage can be changed intraoperatively.

13. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the at least one extension is telescopically coupled to the body.

14. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portion is a vertebral portion.

15. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portion is a long bone portion.

16. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portion is a subcutaneous soft tissue portion overlying a bone portion.

17. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein the extensions have different lengths determined by the patient'"'"'s anatomy.

18. The alignment guide of claim 10, wherein each extension has a distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy, and each extension has a longitudinal guiding passage communicating with the first surface of the body and extending to the distal end of the extension.

19. A method for multiple incision orthopedic surgery comprising:

making a plurality of incisions through the skin of the patient to a plurality of corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portions;

supporting a body of an alignment guide outside the incisions, the alignment guide having a plurality of extensions extending from the body of the alignment guide, wherein at least one extension has a patient-specific distal end surface conformable in form-fitting manner with a corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion;

percutaneously passing each extension through the corresponding incision;

mating the end surface of the at least one extension to the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion;

inserting a tool through a guiding passage extending from the body and along the at least one extension to the distal end surface of the at least one extension; and

preparing the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion for the surgical procedure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein preparing the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion for the surgical procedure comprises drilling a hole through the subcutaneous anatomic portion.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portions are vertebral portions.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portions are portions of a long bone.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein mating the end surface of the at least one extension to the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion, includes telescopically moving the at least one extension to the subcutaneous anatomic portion.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein mating the end surface of the at least one extension to the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion includes pivoting the at least one extension toward the subcutaneous anatomic portion.