Patient Specific Alignment Guide With Cutting Surface and Laser Indicator

• US 20100087829A1
• Filed: 10/01/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Metzger, Robert, Uthgenannt, Brian A., Schoenefeld, Ryan J., Belcher, Nathan E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,173,661 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/15 Guides therefor arrangements for guiding straight saw blades in general B23D51/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/154 for preparing bone for knee prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/155 Cutting femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/157 Cutting tibia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1675 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1703 using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1764 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/568 produced with shape and dimensions specific for an individual patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/108 Computer aided selection or customisation of medical implants or cutting guides
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3945 Active visible markers, e.g. light emitting diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/13 guided by light, e.g. laser pointers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30617 Visible markings for adjusting, locating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4662 for measuring penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4687 Mechanical guides for implantation instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 Visible markings, e.g. indicia

Abstract

A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient. The patient-specific guiding system includes a patient-specific guide. The guide includes a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface. The first portion also includes a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature. The guide also includes a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface. The second portion is removably connected to the first portion.

Claims

1. A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to a portion of an anatomical feature of a patient, the patient-specific guiding system comprising:

a patient-specific guide having;

a first portion having a first patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a first surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the first patient-specific inner surface, the first portion including a guide surface for use in guiding the instrument relative to the anatomical feature; and

a second portion having a second patient-specific inner surface that conforms to a second surface of the anatomical feature and an outer surface opposite the second patient-specific inner surface, the second portion being removably connected to the first portion;

wherein the first and second patient-specific inner surfaces each have a three dimensional contour that nests and closely conforms to the first and second surfaces, respectively, of the anatomical features, to align the guide relative to the anatomical feature.

2. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 1, wherein the second portion is removably connected to the first portion by at least one of a dovetail coupling, a pinned coupling, a scored coupling, a magnetic coupling, and a snap-fit coupling.

3. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism that couples the first portion directly to the anatomical feature, and wherein the second portion is coupled to the anatomical feature only through the coupling mechanism.

4. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 1, wherein the guide surface is an opening that receives the instrument.

5. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 1, further comprising a laser coupled to the guide that emits a light that identifies a reference plane for use in aligning the guide surface relative to the anatomical feature.

6. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 5, wherein the reference plane is substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane of the instrument, the instrument cutting the portion of the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

7. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 5, wherein the reference plane lies in a cutting plane of the instrument, the instrument cutting the portion of the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

8. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 1, further comprising a cutting guide having a cutting surface that guides a cutting tool for cutting the anatomical feature, the guide surface removably supporting the cutting guide to align the cutting guide relative to the anatomical feature.

9. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 8, wherein the cutting guide is removably connected to the first portion by at least one of a dovetail coupling, a pinned coupling, a scored coupling, a magnetic coupling, and a snap-fit coupling.

10. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 8, further comprising a spacer that is removably interposed between the cutting guide and the first portion to space the cutting guide and the first portion apart at a predetermined distance.

11. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 1, further comprising a secondary cutting guide that guides a cutting tool for cutting the anatomical feature, and a secondary coupling mechanism that couples the secondary cutting guide to the anatomical feature, the guide surface removably supporting the secondary cutting guide to align the secondary cutting guide relative to the anatomical feature, the first portion being removable from the anatomical feature while the secondary cutting guide is coupled to the anatomical feature.

12. A method of guiding an instrument relative to an anatomical feature of a patient comprising:

nesting a patient-specific guide that includes a first portion and a second portion on the anatomical feature by fitting a patient-specific inner surface of the first portion to a first surface of the anatomical feature and by fitting a patient-specific inner surface of the second portion to a second surface of the anatomical feature;

securing the first portion to the anatomical feature;

removing the second portion from the first portion;

leaving the first portion secured to the anatomical feature; and

guiding the instrument with a guide surface of the first portion relative to the anatomical feature.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the first portion comprises pinning the first portion to the anatomical feature.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the guide surface is slot that receives the instrument.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising emitting a laser light that identifies a reference plane for use in aligning the guide surface relative to the anatomical feature.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising guiding the instrument relative to the reference plane.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the reference plane is substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane of the instrument, and further comprising cutting the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the reference plane lies in a cutting plane of the instrument, and further comprising cutting the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising removably supporting a cutting guide on the guide surface to align the cutting guide relative to the anatomical feature, and guiding a cutting tool for cutting the anatomical feature with a cutting surface on the cutting guide.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising placing a spacer between the cutting guide and the first portion to space the cutting guide and the first portion apart at a predetermined distance.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising removably supporting a secondary cutting guide on the guide surface to align the secondary cutting guide relative to the anatomical feature, securing the secondary cutting guide to the anatomical feature, removing the first portion from the anatomical feature while the secondary cutting guide is coupled to the anatomical feature, and guiding a cutting tool for cutting the anatomical feature with a cutting surface on the secondary cutting surface.

22. A patient-specific guiding system for guiding an instrument relative to an anatomical feature of a patient, the patient-specific guiding system comprising:

a patient-specific guide with a patient-specific inner surface, the patient-specific inner surface having a three-dimensional contour that closely conforms to a surface of the anatomical feature, the patient-specific guide having a guide surface that guides the instrument relative to the anatomical feature; and

a laser coupled to the guide that emits a light that identifies a reference plane for use in aligning the guide surface relative to the anatomical feature.

23. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 22, wherein the reference plane is substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane of the instrument, the instrument cutting the portion of the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

24. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 22, wherein the reference plane lies in a cutting plane of the instrument, the instrument cutting the portion of the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

25. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 22, wherein the laser emits at least one of a straight line of light and a dot of light.

26. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 22, wherein the laser is embedded within the patient-specific guide.

27. The patient-specific guiding system of claim 22, wherein the laser is removably coupled to the patient-specific guide.

28. A method of guiding an instrument relative to an anatomical feature, the method comprising:

nesting a patient-specific guide on the anatomical feature by fitting a patient-specific inner surface of the guide to a surface of the anatomical feature, the guide including a guide surface that guides the instrument relative to the anatomical feature;

securing the guide to the anatomical feature;

emitting a laser light that identifies a reference plane for use in aligning the guide surface relative to the anatomical feature; and

guiding the instrument relative to the reference plane.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the reference plane is substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane of the instrument, and further comprising cutting the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the reference plane lies in a cutting plane of the instrument, and further comprising cutting the anatomical feature along the cutting plane.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein emitting the laser light includes emitting at least one of a straight line of light and a dot of light.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising removably coupling a laser to the patient-specific guide.