SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOFT TISSUE TENSIONING IN EXTENSION AND FLEXION

• US 20100249790A1
• 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:
  US12/748,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249790A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/90
• 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 method of distracting two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system comprising:

placing a spacer between two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system where the two surfaces are in a first relational position; and

positioning the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system in a second relational with the spacer in place.

2. The method of claim 1 where the spacer is a distractor and further includes the steps of:

changing a gap between a first and a second support structure of the distractor with the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system in the first relational position;

measuring at least one parameter with a sensor coupled to the distractor in the first relational position; and

measuring at least one parameter with the sensor coupled to the distractor in the second relational position.

3. The method of claim 2 further including the steps of:

transmitting the at least one parameter measurement data from the sensor to a processing unit; and

displaying the measured data on a display.

4. The method of claim 1 further including a step of adjusting loading on the spacer using soft tissue release where the spacer remains between the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system during the soft tissue release.

5. The method of claim 4 further including a step of adjusting balance using soft tissue release where the spacer remains between the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system during the soft tissue release.

6. The method of claim 1 further including a step of moving a handle of the spacer away from a surgical area in proximity to the two surfaces to provide surgical access.

7. The method of claim 6 further including the steps of:

changing the measured parameter through modification of the muscular-skeletal system in the surgical area with the two surfaces in the first relational position; and

changing the measured parameter through modification of the muscular-skeletal system in the surgical area with the two surfaces in the second relational position

8. The method of claim 2 further including a step of removing a handle from the distractor to provide surgical access in proximity to the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system and in the gap between the first and second support surfaces of the distractor.

9. A method of distracting two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system comprising:

placing a first and second support structure of a distractor between two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system;

changing a gap between the first and second support structures with the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system in a first relational position measuring at least one parameter of the muscular-skeletal system with a sensor coupled to the distractor in the first relational position;

changing the at least one parameter through modification of the muscular-skeletal system; and

positioning the two surfaces in a second relation position while the distractor remains in place.

10. The method of claim 9 further including the steps of:

measuring at least one parameter of the muscular-skeletal system with a sensor coupled to the distractor in the second relational position; and

changing the at least one parameter through modification of the muscular-skeletal system.

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

measuring misalignment of the muscular-skeletal system to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system; and

aligning the muscular-skeletal system to the mechanical axis through modification of the muscular-skeletal system.

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

measuring load, pressure, or force on the first or second support structures of the distractor;

moving a handle of the distractor away from a surgical area; and

cutting soft tissue through anterior, medial, or lateral access provided by the distractor to reduce the load, pressure, or force on the first and second support structures.

13. The method of claim 12 further including a step of removing the handle from the distractor to gain anterior access and access between the first and second support structures to perform soft tissue release.

14. The method of claim 9 further including the steps of:

transmitting parameter measurement data to a processing unit; and

displaying parameter measurement data on a display.

15. A method of distracting a knee joint of a leg comprising the steps of:

distracting a joint of the muscular-skeletal with a spacer where surfaces of the joint are in a first relational position;

performing soft tissue release on the muscular-skeletal system with the spacer in place to adjust joint loading; and

moving the surfaces of the joint in a second relational position with the spacer in place.

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

moving a handle of the spacer away from a surgical area with the joint in the first relational position;

reducing the load applied by the joint on the spacer through soft tissue release where the handle is positioned to allow a cutting tool anterior access to the soft tissue of the joint and where a gap between surfaces of the spacer provides interior and peripheral access to the soft tissue.

17. The method of claim 16 further including the steps:

measuring load, pressure, or force on two regions of the joint where the joint in the first relational position;

comparing the load, pressure, or force between the two regions;

reducing the differential loading between the two regions through soft tissue release where load, pressure, or force measurement of each region is within a predetermined range and where the differential loading between the two regions is within a predetermined range.

18. The method of claim 17 further including the steps of:

comparing an alignment of the joint to a mechanical axis of the leg; and

reducing misalignment through modification of the muscular-skeletal system.

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

reducing a height of the spacer to allow movement of the surfaces of the joint to be placed in the second relational position; and

adjusting the height of the spacer when the surfaces of the joint are in the second relational position.

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

moving a handle of the spacer away from a surgical area with the joint in the second relational position;

reducing the load applied by the joint on the spacer through soft tissue release where the handle is positioned to allow a cutting tool anterior access to the soft tissue of the joint and where a gap between surfaces of the spacer provides interior and peripheral access to the soft tissue.

21. The method of claim 20 further including the steps:

measuring load, pressure, or force on two regions of the joint where the joint in the second relational position;

comparing the load, pressure, or force between the two regions;

reducing the differential loading between the two regions through soft tissue release where load, pressure, or force measurement of each region is within a predetermined range and where the differential loading between the two regions is within a predetermined range.