Method and apparatus for aligning a prosthetic element

• US 5,976,149 A
• Filed: 02/10/1998
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MedIdea LLC
• Original Assignee: MedIdea LLC
• Inventors: Masini, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/021,218
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 606/53, 606/81, 606/86, 606/91, 606/92, 606/99, 623/22, 623/23, 422/99, 422/104
• US Class Current: 606/91
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1746 for the acetabulum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8808 with sealing collar for bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8811 characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8825 characterised by syringe details A61B17/8822, A61B17/8827 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30724 Spacers for centering an implant in a bone cavity, e.g. in a cement-receiving cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3007 Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of elastic material, e.g. of elastomer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30154 square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30378 Spherically-shaped protrusion and recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30538 for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30672 temporary
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3403 Polar aperture
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3429 with an integral peripheral collar or flange, e.g. oriented away from the shell centre line
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3611 Heads or epiphyseal parts of femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0021 : square
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0006 : for adjusting angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00011 : Metals or alloys

Abstract

Methods and apparatus facilitate the positioning of a prosthetic element relative to a bone so as to achieve a desired orientation. An anchoring unit rigidly attaches to a point of the bone surrounding a region associated with receiving the prosthetic element, and at least one structural member is used to physically couple the prosthetic element to the anchoring unit. The combination of the anchoring unit and structural member includes one or more fasteners which may be loosened to temporarily remove the prosthetic element once a desired orientation is achieved, while facilitating re-installation of the element in accordance with the desired orientation following the temporary removal. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthetic element is an acetabular implant, and the surrounding bone forms part of a human pelvis. Regardless of the application, the element may take the form of a trial or a final implant.

Claims

1. Apparatus for achieving a desired orientation of an acetabular implant, comprising:

an acetabular implant;

an anchoring mechanism for rigidly attaching the implant to a point of bone surrounding a region associated with receiving the implant, the anchoring mechanism including one or more fasteners which may be loosened to temporarily remove the implant once a desired orientation is achieved; and

physical tracking means facilitating re-installation of the implant in accordance with the desired orientation following the temporary removal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including one or more adjustment devices enabling the anchoring mechanism to be movably positioned prior to its rigid attachment to the surrounding bone with the implant positioned at the desired orientation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, including a plurality of adjustment devices facilitating a multidimensional desired orientation of the implant.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism includes a sleeve which may be used for the delivery of a rod having a threaded portion adapted for removable insertion into the surrounding bone.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the implant is a final.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the implant is a trial.