METHOD OF USING AN ALIGNMENT GUIDE

• US 20110276053A1
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy International Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy International Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gowers, Steven, Birkbeck, Alec, Moore, Gary, Freeman, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,095,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/91
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4603 for insertion or extraction of endoprosthetic joints or of accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4609 of acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4687 Mechanical guides for implantation instruments

Abstract

A method of aligning an alignment guide relative to a reamed acetabulum of a patient is provided. The method includes the step of manipulating an alignment guide comprising a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a guide arm having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion attached to the shaft and configured to be rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second portion extending from the first portion at a first predetermined angle along a second axis, and the third portion extending from the second portion at a second predetermined angle. The guide arm is rotated about the first axis relative to the shaft. A cup or trial is attached to the distal end of the shaft and positioned to contact the reamed acetabulum. The third portion of the guide arm is then oriented with respect to the long axis of the patient and the surface of the table on which the patient is positioned.

Claims

3-1. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step comprises the step of locating the cup or trial within the reamed acetabulum.

8. A method of aligning an alignment guide relative to a reamed acetabulum of a patient positioned on an operating table, the patient being positioned on an operating table and having a long axis, comprising the steps of:

manipulating an alignment guide comprising a shaft having a longitudinal axis;

a housing configured to be attached to the shaft and being rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

a guide arm having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being attached to the housing and extending from the housing along a second axis, the second portion extending from the first portion at a first predetermined angle;

attaching a cup or trial to the distal end of the shaft;

rotating the guide arm about the first axis relative to the shaft;

contacting the cup or trial with the reamed acetabulum; and

while maintaining contact between the cup or trial and the reamed acetabulum, adjusting the position of the alignment guide such that the second portion of the guide arm is substantially parallel to the surface of the operating table when viewed from the side of the table and is substantially parallel to the long axis of the patient.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the guide arm is attachable to the shaft and comprising the step of attaching the guide arm to the shaft.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the guide arm and shaft have respective mating components and the attaching step comprises the steps of engaging the mating components of the guide arm with the mating components of the shaft.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the contacting step comprises the step of locating the cup or trial within the reamed acetabulum.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting step comprises the step of positioning the alignment guide such that the shaft is substantially parallel to the operating table and substantially parallel with the long axis of the patient.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting step comprises the step of moving the proximal end of the shaft anteriorly until the third portion of the guide arm is substantially parallel to the operating table when viewed from the side of the table.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the guide arm is rotated through a range of between 0 and 35 degrees.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of surgically accessing the patient'"'"'s acetabulum, and wherein the rotating step is performed after the accessing step.

16. A method of aligning an alignment guide relative to a reamed acetabulum of a patient positioned on an operating table, the patient being positioned on an operating table and having a long axis, comprising the steps of:

manipulating an alignment guide comprising a shaft having a longitudinal axis;

a housing configured to be attached to the shaft;

a guide arm having a first portion, a second portion and third portion, the first portion configured to be at least partially received in the housing and extending from the housing along a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second portion extends from the first portion at a first predetermined angle, the third portion extends from second portion at a second predetermined angle, the guide arm configured to be rotatable about the first axis;

attaching a cup or trial to the distal end of the shaft;

rotating the guide arm about the first axis relative to the shaft;

contacting the cup or trial with the reamed acetabulum; and

while maintaining contact between the cup or trial and the reamed acetabulum, adjusting the position of the alignment guide such that the third portion of the guide arm is substantially parallel to the surface of the operating table when viewed from the side of the table and is substantially parallel to the long axis of the patient.