Bone anchored fixation for displacement of facial bones

• US 6,096,079 A
• Filed: 01/08/1999
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Arkansas
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas (University of Arkansas System)
• Inventors: Eaton, L. Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hieu
• Application Number:
  US09/227,270
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 623/16, 623/17, 606/53, 606/54, 606/60, 128/898
• US Class Current: 623/17.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0059 Cosmetic or alloplastic implants A61F2/10 - A61F2/16, A61F2/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2878 for orbital repair
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2882 Malar or zygomatic implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30433 using additional screws, bolts, dowels, rivets or washers e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30451 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30957 using a positive or a negative model, e.g. moulds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00155 Gold or Au-based alloys

Abstract

A process for non-surgical repositioning of craniofacial bones following surgery for severe disease or trauma. At least two osseointegrated, i.e. bone implanted, fixtures are implanted in the patient. A malleable bar, preferably of a gold, platinum and nickel alloy, is fastened between the two fixtures. The gold bar initially has a flexed shape that could include loops, curves or other nonlinear segments. The flexed gold bar is periodically bent to a more straightened position which thus applies a force between the two bone implanted fixtures. The force between the two fixtures tends to reposition the facial bones over a period of time to restore function and/or form to the injured area.

Claims

1. A process for the non-surgical repositioning of the craniofacial bones of a patient following surgery for disease or trauma in order to restore form and/or function to the craniofacial anatomy of the patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting at least two points on the craniofacial bones of the patient between which relative movement to a predetermined position is desirable to restore normal form and/or function to the craniofacial anatomy;

(b) implanting an osseointegrated fixture into each of the selected points on the craniofacial bones of the patient, said osseointegrated fixture comprising a percutaneous osseointegrated implant and an external abutment extending beyond the skin of the patient;

(c) attaching a malleable bar between the abutments of each pair of adjacent osseointegrated fixtures, said malleable bar having at least one non-linear segment;

(d) straightening periodically each of said non-linear segments in situ so as to apply a force between each of said pair of adjacent osseointegrated fixtures until said predetermined position is achieved.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein at least one of said non-linear segments comprises a loop.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein at least one of said non-linear segments comprises a curve.