SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORTHOPEDIC DYNAMIC DISTRACTION

• US 20100249787A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Martin Roche
• Original Assignee: Martin Roche
• Inventors: Roche, Martin
• Application Number:
  US12/748,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249787A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/87
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0268 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4509 Bone density determination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4666 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies

Abstract

At least one embodiment is directed to a dynamic distractor (100) for distracting bones of a muscular-skeletal system. The dynamic distractor (100) comprises at least one sensor (108, 110), a handle (112, 804), a lift mechanism (302), and one or more alignment aids (502, 802). The position and measurement sensors (108, 110) are in communication with the processing unit (406) to display, process, and store measured data. The process of distraction separates two components such as bones of the muscular-skeletal system. A gap created by dynamic distractor (100) is adjustable under load. The at least one sensor (108, 110) can provide loading, loading differential, and position information as well as other measured parameters. Dynamic distractor (100) can aid in the alignment of the skeletal systems and to verify that alignment is correct. Soft tissue release can be performed with dynamic distractor (100) in place over a full range of motion.

Claims

1. A distractor system comprising:

a first support structure having a superior surface;

a second support structure having an inferior surface;

a lift mechanism coupled to the first and second support structures to adjustably separate the first support structure from the second support structure; and

a sensor overlying one of the superior surface or the inferior surface to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system.

2. The system of claim 1 further including:

a first cavity in the superior surface of the first support structure;

a second cavity in the superior surface of the first support structure;

a first sensor fitted in the first cavity having a surface for receiving a medial condyle; and

a second sensor fitted in the second cavity having a surface for receiving a lateral condyle.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a handle operatively coupled to the lift mechanism.

4. The system of claim 1 further including a rod operatively coupled to the handle.

5. The system of claim 4 where the rod is used to align one or more bones of the muscular skeletal system.

6. The system of claim 4 further including a cutting block coupled to the rod.

7. The system of claim 1 where the lift mechanism comprises:

a scissor mechanism coupled to an interior surface of the first and second support structures; and

a threaded shaft operatively coupled to the scissor mechanism where rotation of the threaded shaft raises and lowers the scissor mechanism thereby increasing or decreasing a gap between the first and second support structures.

8. The system of claim 1 further including a handle operatively coupled to the lift mechanism where at least one laser pointer is coupled to the handle and directed to at least one target to aid in alignment.

9. The system of claim 1 further including

a processing unit;

a communication circuit coupled to the processing unit; and

a display operatively coupled to the processor for displaying information received wired or wirelessly from the sensor.

10. The system of claim 1 where the sensor measures one of force, pressure, or load.

11. A method of distracting a muscular-skeletal system comprising the steps of:

placing a sensor in the dynamic distractor;

inserting a dynamic distractor between a first surface and a second surface of the muscular-skeletal system;

expanding the dynamic distractor to create a gap of a predetermined height;

measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system at the predetermined height; and

removing the sensor from the dynamic distractor.

12. The method of claim 11 where the step of expanding the dynamic distractor further includes the steps of:

expanding the dynamic distractor until the loading is within a predetermined range;

measuring the distance from the superior surface to the inferior surface of the dynamic distractor when the loading on the dynamic distractor is within the predetermined range; and

selecting an insert thickness.

13. The method of claim 11 further including the steps of:

transmitting measurement data from the sensor to a processing unit;

adjusting the loading applied by the first and second surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system using soft tissue release with the dynamic distractor in place.

14. The method of claim 11 further including the steps of:

measuring loading on at least two regions of the first or second surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system; and

adjusting the differential loading using soft tissue release to modify a balance between the at least two regions with the dynamic distractor in place.

15. The method of claim 11 further including the steps of:

generating relational positioning information using one or more accelerometers;

transmitting the relational positioning information to a processing unit;

emitting a signal from the dynamic distractor to a first target;

emitting a signal from the dynamic distractor to a second target where a position of the first target, the dynamic distractor, and the second target correspond to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system; and

measuring misalignment of the first and second surfaces to the mechanical axis.

16. A distractor system comprising:

a first support structure having a superior surface;

a second support structure having an inferior surface;

a lift mechanism coupled to the first and second support structures to adjustably separate the first support structure from the second support structure;

at least one cavity in either the superior or inferior surfaces; and

a sensor in the at least one cavity to measure a parameter coupled thereto.

17. The system of claim 16 further including:

a handle coupled to the lift mechanism; and

a cutting block;

an uprod coupled between the handle and the cutting block to align and stabilize the cutting block along a mechanical axis.

18. The system of claim 16 where the cutting block and uprod are removed from the distractor system and where a rod is coupled to the handle to aid in alignment verification.

19. The system of claim 16 further including a handle operatively coupled to the lift mechanism where at least one laser pointer is coupled to the handle and directed to at least one target to aid in alignment.

20. The system of claim 16 further including

a processing unit;

a communication circuit coupled to the processing unit; and

a display operatively coupled to the processor for displaying information received wired or wirelessly from the sensor.

21. The system of claim 16 where the lift mechanism comprises:

a scissor mechanism coupled to an interior surface of the first and second support structures; and

a threaded shaft operatively coupled to the scissor mechanism where rotation of the threaded shaft raises and lowers the scissor mechanism thereby increasing or decreasing a gap between the first and second support structures.