SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORTHOPEDIC DISTRACTION AND STABILIZATION

• US 20100249788A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin Roche
• Original Assignee: Martin Roche
• Inventors: Roche, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,906,027 B2
• 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 system 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. Dynamic distractor (100) can aid in the alignment of the skeletal system and to verify that alignment is correct. A rod (604) couples a cutting block (602) to the distractor (100). The rod (604) fixes a position of the cutting block (602) in relation to the distractor (100). The cutting block (602) is coupled to the distractor (100) to stabilize and align the muscular-skeletal system while shaping a bone.

Claims

1. An orthopedic system comprising:

a spacer having a superior surface and an inferior surface for coupling between at least two bones of a muscular-skeletal system;

a handle coupled to the spacer

a cutting block; and

a rod coupled to the handle and the cutting block to stabilize and align the cutting block.

2. The system of claim 1 where the handle has a predetermined alignment to a surface of one of the at least two bones of the muscular-skeletal system and where the surface is aligned to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system.

3. The system of claim 2 further including an alignment tool coupled to the handle to measure misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis.

4. The system of claim 3 where the alignment tool is a rod coupled to the handle.

5. The system of claim 3 where the alignment tool comprises:

at least one laser coupled to the handle; and

at least one target coupled to the muscular-skeletal system where the target is positioned to be in alignment with the mechanical axis and where the beam of the laser hits the target to measure the misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis.

6. The system of claim 3 further including at least one sensor in a recess on either the superior or inferior surface of the spacer to measure at least one parameter of the muscular-skeletal system.

7. The system of claim 3 where the handle intersects the mechanical axis.

8. The system of claim 2 where a gap between the superior surface and the inferior surface is adjustable.

9. The system of claim 2 where the at least two bones apply a compressive force on the spacer and where the spacer, rod, and cutting block rigidly position the at least two bones in alignment to the mechanical axis.

10. A method of shaping a bone of a muscular-skeletal system comprising the steps of:

placing a spacer having a superior and inferior surface between a first bone surface and a second bone surface;

coupling a cutting block to an exposed portion of the second bone surface; and

coupling the spacer to the cutting block to rigidly position the first and second bone surface in a predetermined position.

11. The method of claim 10 further including the steps of:

measuring misalignment of one of the first bone surface or the second bone surface to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system; and

modifying the muscular-skeletal system to reduce the misalignment within a predetermined range.

12. The method of claim 11 further including a step of aligning the spacer between the first and second bone surfaces such that a handle extending from the spacer intersects the mechanical axis.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the steps of:

coupling a rod through the handle where the handle is aligned to the mechanical axis within the predetermined range; and

coupling the rod to the cutting block where the rod places the spacer and the cutting block in a fixed relational position and where a first bone and a second bone respectively corresponding to the first bone surface and the second bone surface is in alignment with the mechanical axis within the predetermined range.

14. The method of claim 13 further including a step of changing a gap of the spacer such that the first and second bone surfaces apply a compressive force on the spacer.

15. The method of claim 15 further including a step of shaping the second bone surface.

16. A distraction system comprising:

a distractor comprising;

a first support structure having a superior surface;

a second support structure having an inferior surface;

a lift mechanism coupled to interior surfaces of the first and second support structures;

a handle operatively coupled to the lift mechanism;

a cutting block; and

a rod coupled to the handle and the cutting block to stabilize and align the cutting block to the distractor.

17. The system of claim 16 further including:

at least one sensor coupled to either the first or second support structure for measuring a parameter of a muscular-skeletal system; and

a processing unit external to the at least one sensor where the processing unit is in communication with the at least one sensor for receiving measured parameter data.

18. The system of claim 16 further including an alignment tool coupled to the handle of the distractor where at least one surface of the handle has a predetermined alignment with either the superior or inferior surface of the support structure.

19. The system of claim 18 further including a rod coupled to the handle where the handle aids in determining misalignment to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system.

20. The system of claim 19 further including:

at least one laser coupled to the handle; and

at least one target coupled to the muscular-skeletal system where the target is positioned to be in alignment with a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system and where the beam of the laser hits the target to measure the misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis.