Bone cutting guides for use in the implantation of prosthetic joint components

• US 6,187,010 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1997
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1995
• 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): Woo, Julian W.
• Application Number:
  US08/932,277
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 626/86, 626/87, 626/88, 626/82, 626/76, 626/96, 623/20
• US Class Current: 606/86.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/154 for preparing bone for knee prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/155 Cutting femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/157 Cutting tibia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3859 Femoral components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3009 Transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30777 Oblong apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0091 transparent or translucent

Abstract

Improved bone cutting guides enable a surgeon to better gauge required resection characteristics. In one embodiment at least a portion of the guide is transparent, thereby enabling the user to optimize cut estimates and to visualize the resection as it is being performed. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the body is shaped to interact with another bone or prosthetic element associated with a joint, thereby enabling the device to function both as a trial and as a cutting guide. In this embodiment as well the guide may be at least partially transparent to improve visualization. Although primarily intended for use in femoral-side knee arthroplasty, the invention is applicable to any procedure which might benefit from improved bone-cutting accuracy.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in conjunction with joint-replacement surgery, the apparatus comprising:

a stem adapted for intimate contact within an intramedullary canal of a bone following preparation of the canal to receive the stem, the stem including a connection point which is accessible when the stem is installed;

a shaped body adapted for removable attachment to the connection point with the stem installed, the body including an outer surface configured to co-act in the joint and at least two bone-cutting guides extending through the body corresponding to a level of bone resection; and

one or more bone-cutting fixtures physically separate from the shaped body adapted for removable attachment to the connection point without removing the stem.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaped body further includes:

an outer, articulating surface adapted to co-act in a knee joint; and

wherein

one of the cutting fixtures physically separable from the shaped body includes one or more surfaces associated with performing a box cut of the type associated with cruciate-sacrifice knee-replacement surgery.

3. Apparatus for use in conjunction with joint-replacement surgery, the apparatus comprising:

a stem adapted for installation into the intramedullary canal of a bone associated with the joint replacement, the stem including a connection point which is accessible when the stem is installed;

a shaped body adapted for removable attachment to the connection point with the stem installed, the body including a plurality of slots corresponding to resections which may be required to receive a final joint-replacement implant; and

one or more bone-cutting guides physically separate from the shaped body adapted for removable attachment to the connection point whithout removing the stem.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the joint-replacement implant is a distal femoral component associated with knee arthroplasty.