Guide pin locating tool and method

• US 4,037,592 A
• Filed: 05/04/1976
• Issued: 07/26/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard F. Kronner
• Original Assignee: Richard F. Kronner
• Inventors: Kronner, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/682,833
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 128/92 EB, 128/92 E, 128/92 BA, 128/92 R, 128/92 F, 128/83
• US Class Current: 606/97
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1703 using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1721 for applying pins along or parallel to the axis of the femoral neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A tool and method for use by a surgeon in the insertion of a hip nail guide pin within upper end of a femur. The tool includes a base for temporary abutment against the femur which base is supported by an initial guide pin in place within the femur. A first guide member is positionably carried by the base and is indexed through 90 degrees for the taking of X-ray photographs within perpendicular planes. An optimum location for a second guide pin is plotted on the resulting X-ray photographs. The surgeon, in inserting the second guide pin, utilizes the first guide member, and a second guide member if necessary, to provide a reference point outwardly spaced from the femur to aid him in seating the guide pin through a window in the femur wall into position within the femur neck and head. A method of inserting a second guide pin is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A tool for use in the positioning of a surgical guide pin within the neck and head portions of a femur preparatory to hip nail installation, said tool comprising,

a base adapted for surfacial abutment against the femur exterior offset from the guide pin axis and supported by a first surgical guide pin projecting outwardly from the femur, said base including an outwardly extending arm and arm extension,

a guide member rotatably mounted on said base and positionable about the axis of said first surgical guide pin preparatory to the taking of AP and lateral X-ray photographs of the femur with inserted surgical guide pin and attached tool,

retention means holding said guide member against undesired rotational movement in perpendicularly related position during the taking of the X-ray photographs, and

said guide member having indices thereon discernible on the AP and lateral X-ray photographs to enable the plotting of a corrected course for a second guide pin, said indices also facilitating the positioning and axial guidance of a second surgical guide pin for entry of same into the femur along said corrected course.

2. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein said retention means includes a resilient member and a guide member lock the latter including a first guide pin engaging member for securing the guide member lock thereto.

3. The tool claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide member and said guide member lock include interengaging means engageable upon rotation of the guide member through 90°

.

4. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein said base includes means for varying the angular relationship of the base arm to the major axis of the femur.

5. The tool claimed in claim 1 additionally including a second guide member adapted for selective supported attachment in a crosswise manner to the first mentioned guide member to provide a course for the entry of the second guide pin when pin course corrections must be made in two planes.

6. The tool claimed in claim 5 wherein said first and second guide members are of elongate arcuate shape and provided with indices therealong in the form of transverse grooves.

7. The tool claimed in claim 6 wherein said indices are spaced along said second guide member in a manner corresponding to the spacing of indices along the first mentioned guide member whereby corrections plotted on the X-ray photographs of said first guide member may be applied to the second guide member when pin course corrections must be made in two planes.

8. The tool claimed in claim 7 wherein said second guide member and the first mentioned guide member mutually embody interengaging means enabling crosswise attachment of said second guide member at a point along said first guide member.

9. The method of positioning a guide pin within the neck and head portions of a femur preparatory to the installation of a hip nail, said method consisting of the steps of,

inserting a guide pin into the femur neck and head positions,

mounting a guide member on said pin,

X-ray photographing the femur, inserted guide pin with guide member thereon in one photographic plane,

repositioning the guide member about the pin axis,

X-ray photographing the femur, inserted guide pin with repositioned guide member thereon along a second photographic plane normal to the first X-ray photograph,

plotting a corrected guide pin course on the X-ray photograph to determine the course for a second guide pin, and

inserting a second guide pin into the femur offset from the first guide pin with the axis of the second guide pin located so as to intersect the guide member at a point corresponding to the intersection of the plotted guide pin course and guide member on the photograph.

10. The method claimed in claim 9 including the additional step, subsequent to plotting of the correction, of applying a second guide member transversely on said first guide member to provide a corrected guide pin course with corrections made within two planes.