MEDICAL ALIGNING DEVICE

• US 20110257657A1
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Turner, Nicholas Robert, Wozencroft, Robert Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,052,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/103
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1721 for applying pins along or parallel to the axis of the femoral neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/175 for preparing the femur for hip prosthesis insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8866 for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators joint distractors A61B17/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre

Abstract

A device (1) for aligning a guide wire with a bone, comprising: an attachment means (2) reversibly attachable to a bone; an alignment means (31) connected to the attachment means, the alignment means being moveable so as to locate a portion of the bone for insertion of the guide wire. A method for aligning a guide wire with a bone.

Claims

1. A device for aligning a guide wire with a bone, comprising:

an attachment means reversibly attachable to a bone;

an alignment means connected to the attachment means, the alignment means being moveable so as to locate a portion of the bone for insertion of the guide wire.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means is reversibly connected to the attachment means.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means receives a guide wire, in use.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises:

an alignment guide for receiving, in use, at least one of a goneometer and a guide wire; and

a support arm connected to the attachment means, wherein the alignment guide is moveably connected to the support arm.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the alignment guide is reversibly connected to the support arm.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the support arm is reversibly connected to the attachment means.

7. A device according to claim 4, wherein the support arm is pivotally connected to the attachment means.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises a centring mechanism for locating the centre of the bone.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the centring mechanism, is reversibly connected to the attachment means.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the centring mechanism comprises two moveable arms, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the arms being pivotally connected together at their distal ends, the arms being pivotally connected to the attachment means at their proximal ends, and wherein, in use, the pivot connection between the distal ends of the arms locates the centre of the bone.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the alignment guide is pivotally connected to the distal ends of the centring mechanism arms.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a clamp.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the clamp comprises at least two jaws.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the at least two jaws are opposed.

15. A device according to claim 12, wherein the clamp comprises a self-locking mechanism.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the self-locking mechanism is a ratchet mechanism having a release means for unlocking the clamp.

17. A device according to claim 12, wherein the clamp comprises a resilient means for biasing the jaws apart.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the resilient means is a spring.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises two arms that are pivotally connected along their length, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal ends being attachable to a bone, the proximal ends enabling a user to reversibly attach the distal ends to the bone.

20. A device according to claim 4, wherein the alignment guide comprises a drill guide.

21. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixation means.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the fixation means comprises at least one retractable spike.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the fixation means comprises a retractable spiked tube.

24. A method of aligning a guide wire with a bone, comprising the steps of:

providing a device according to any preceding claim and a power source;

attaching the attachment means to a bone;

moving the alignment means so as to locate a portion of the bone for insertion of the guide wire; and

inserting the guide wire into the bone using the power source.

25. A method of aligning a guide wire with a bone, comprising the steps of:

providing a device according to any of claims 4 to 24 and a power source;

attaching the attachment means to a bone;

moving the alignment means so as to locate a portion of the bone for insertion of the guide wire;

attaching a goneometer to the alignment guide so as to indicate the eventual position of the guide wire in the bone;

attaching a guide wire to the alignment guide; and

inserting the guide wire into the bone using the power source.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the goneometer is detached from the alignment guide before the guide wire is attached.

27. A method according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the power source is a rotary power source.

28. A method according to any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the bone is a femur.

29. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.