Craniofacial External Distraction Apparatus

• US 20150238228A1
• Filed: 02/27/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Langenfeld, Christopher C., Smith, Stanley B. III, Altobelli, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,730,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/60 for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/62 Ring frames, i.e. devices extending around the bones to be positioned A61B17/6433 , A61B17/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/64 Devices extending alongside the bones to be positioned
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6433 specially adapted for use on body parts other than limbs, e.g. trunk or head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/645 comprising a framework A61B17/6425, A61B17/6441 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/663 for jaw bones, e.g. subcutaneous distractors with external access periodontal bone regeneration A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site

Abstract

An external distraction apparatus for performing a craniofacial distraction is disclosed. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a stationary member. The stationary member may be configured to be affixed to a head of a patient. The external distraction apparatus may also comprise laterally disposed distractors. The laterally disposed distractors may extend inferiorly from the stationary member and be moveable relative to the stationary member. The external distraction apparatus may comprise a motor and controller. The motor may be powered with the controller to perform a craniofacial distraction in an automated fashion.

Claims

1. An external distraction apparatus for performing a craniofacial distraction, the external distraction apparatus comprising:

a stationary member configured for being affixed to a head of a patient such that at least a portion of the stationary member is anterior to the head of the patient; and

laterally disposed distractors extending inferiorly from the stationary member and being moveable relative to the stationary member.

2. The external distraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the laterally disposed distractors are each comprised of at least one moveable unit, each of the at least one moveable unit is configured to be moveable relative to the stationary member.

3. The external distraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first distractor of the laterally disposed distractors is comprised of at least two moveable units, each of the two moveable units is configured to be moveable relative to the stationary member, wherein a first moveable unit of the two moveable units is moveable relative to a second moveable unit of the moveable units.

4. The external distraction apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first moveable unit is a sub unit of a second moveable unit, the first moveable unit being configured to move in tandem with the second moveable unit when the second movable unit is displaced, wherein the first moveable unit is configured for displacement relative to the second moveable unit.

5. The external distraction apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first moveable unit on a laterally disposed distractor of the laterally disposed distractors is displaceable along a first displacement axis.

6. The external distraction apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second moveable unit on the laterally disposed distractor is displaceable along a second displacement axis.

7. The external distraction apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first moveable unit on a laterally disposed distractor of the laterally disposed distractors is displaceable about a pitch axis.

8. The external distraction apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first moveable unit is associated with a displacement means configured to displace the first moveable unit.

9. The external distraction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the laterally disposed distractors are each comprised of a plurality of moveable units, each of the moveable units being moveable relative to the stationary member along or about a displacement axis.

10. An external distraction apparatus for performing automated craniofacial distraction, the external distraction apparatus comprising:

a stationary member configured to be affixed to a head of a patient;

a moveable portion moveable relative to the stationary member;

a motor having a drive output configured to move the moveable portion relative to the stationary member; and

a controller configured to power the motor on a preprogrammed schedule.

11. The external distraction apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller is disposed in a separate housing separate from a motor housing, the separate housing being in electrical communication with the motor.

12. The external distraction apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to power the motor to affect a preprogrammed amount of relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member in accordance with the preprogrammed schedule.

13. The external distraction apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to put the external distraction apparatus into a sleep state after powering the motor to affect the preprogrammed amount of relative movement.

14. The external distraction apparatus of claim 10, wherein the external distraction apparatus further comprises a first sensor, the first sensor arranged to sense relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member.

15. The external distraction apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to power the motor until a predetermined amount of relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member has been sensed by the first sensor.

16. The external distraction apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first sensor is a rotary encoder.

17. The external distraction apparatus of claim 14, wherein the external distraction apparatus further comprises a second sensor, the second sensor configured to sense relative movement between the moveable portion and the stationary member.

18. The external distraction apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to compare data from the first sensor and second sensor and place the external distraction apparatus into a fail-safe state in the event that data from the first sensor and second sensor are outside of a predetermined range or proportionality to one another.

19. The external distraction apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a force sensor operatively coupled to the external distraction apparatus and configured to estimate a force applied by the moveable portion to the head of the patient, the force sensor is in operative communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to apply a predetermined force profile in accordance with preprogrammed schedule to the head of the patient.

20. The external distraction apparatus of claim 19, wherein the predetermined force profile defines a constant-force distraction vector.

21. The external distraction apparatus of claim 19, wherein the predetermined force profile defines a variable-force distraction vector.

22. The external distraction apparatus of claim 19, wherein the predetermined force profile defines a variable, distraction vector.

23. The external distraction apparatus of claim 19, wherein the predetermined force profile defines an upper and lower range of forces that define an error condition, wherein the preprogrammed schedule includes a distraction velocity vector.

24. A method for performing a craniofacial distraction, the method comprising:

affixing a stationary member of an external distraction apparatus to a head of a patient;

programming a controller for the external distraction apparatus with a distraction schedule;

commanding motor movement with the controller based on the distraction schedule, each motor movement causing a predetermined amount of movement of a moveable portion of the apparatus relative to the stationary member.