LASER ASSISTED TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY

• US 20090234360A1
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vladimir Alexander
• Original Assignee: Vladimir Alexander
• Inventors: Alexander, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US11/955,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234360A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/15 Guides therefor arrangements for guiding straight saw blades in general B23D51/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/155 Cutting femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/157 Cutting tibia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved method of performing bone resection, including during arthroplasty procedures, wherein a laser guide is utilized to align cutting blocks and/or measuring devices. The present invention also provides laser guidance platforms for use in the methods of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of performing a laser assisted total joint arthroplasty comprising the use of a laser guidance system to determine the location and/or angle and/or depth of those cuts in the bone required to fit the replacement joint to a subject in need thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser guidance system comprises one or more lasers, wherein the system or the lasers are directly affixed to a cutting block and/or a measuring device via an attachment means.

3. The method of claim 2 comprising placing the cutting block and/or measuring device over the bone to be cut and aligning the one or more lasers along the desired plane such that the cutting block and/or measuring device is appropriately aligned in relation to the bone.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the laser is aligned in the sagittal or coronal planes.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the laser guidance system can be reversed for use on the left or the right side of a patient.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein reversal of the laser guidance system comprises attachment of the laser to the cutting block and/or measuring device with an attaching means having a reverse configuration.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the laser guidance system additional comprises an attaching means for attaching the laser guidance system to the bone.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the attaching means is engaged following alignment of the laser to lock the cutting block and/or measuring device into the appropriate position.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the total joint arthroplasty is selected from one of the following:

total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, total ankle arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty.

10. A laser guidance system comprising one or more lasers and an attaching means, wherein the attaching means can be secured to a cutting block and/or a measuring device.

11. The laser guidance system of claim 10, further comprising an additional attaching means whereby the laser guidance system can be secured to the bone.

12. The laser guidance system of claim 10, wherein the system is disposable.

13. An apparatus for guiding the resection of a bone during arthroplasty, comprising:

a) attaching means for anchoring the apparatus to the bone;

b) a resection guide or cutting guide operably engaged to said attaching means; and

c) means for locating the resection guide relative to the attaching means, said means comprising a laser guide.

14. An apparatus for guiding the resection of a bone during arthroplasty, comprising:

a) a laser guide and b) attaching means for removably attaching said laser guide to a resection guide, wherein the resection guide comprises means for attaching the resection guide to bone.

15. A surgical method in accordance with the description and/or figures provided herein.

16. A laser guidance system in accordance with the description and/or figures provided herein.

17. An apparatus for use in the surgical methods provided herein.