Ultrasound image guided acetabular implant orientation during total hip replacement

• US 6,607,487 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2001
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Chang, John, Trauner, Kenneth, Kluiwstra, Jan-Ulco, Haddad, Waleed, Matthews, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Maulin M
• Application Number:
  US09/767,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20020099288A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/443, 600/444, 600/459, 600/447, 600/460, 600/426, 600/424, 600/407, 395/94, 364/413
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1746 for the acetabulum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3413 guided by ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3916 Bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4609 of acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30606 Sets comprising both cemented and non-cemented endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3611 Heads or epiphyseal parts of femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4668 for measuring angles

Abstract

A system for assisting in precise location of the acetabular implant during total hip replacement. The system uses ultrasound imaging for guiding the placement and orientation of the implant.

Claims

1. A surgical method for assisting a surgeon in precise location of an acetabular implant during total hip replacement by positioning said acetabular implant in a patient'"'"'s joint socket in said patient'"'"'s pelvic region, comprising the steps of:

interrogating said patient'"'"'s pelvic region using an ultrasound imaging head,

positioning an ultrasonic adapter cup in said patient'"'"'s joint socket and located between said ultrasopic imaging head and said patient'"'"'s pelvic region,

marking reference alignment markings in said patient'"'"'s joint socket relative to said patient'"'"'s pelvic region, and

using said reference alignment markings to locate said ultrasonic adapter cup and said acetabular implant in said patient'"'"'s joint socket during total hip replacement.

2. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein in said step of interrogating said patient'"'"'s pelvic region using an ultrasonic imaging head, said ultrasonic imaging head is used for real-time in-vivo imaging of said patient'"'"'s pelvic region.

3. The surgical method of claim 1 wherein in said step of marking reference alignment markings in said patient'"'"'s joint socket relative to said patient'"'"'s pelvic region, milling or drilling is used to mark said reference alignment markings relative to said patient'"'"'s pelvic region.

4. The surgical method of claim 3 wherein real time imaging is used in said step of marking reference alignment markings in said patient'"'"'s joint socket relative to said patient'"'"'s pelvic region to locate said acetabular implant in in said patient'"'"'s joint socket during total hip replacement.

5. An apparatus to assist a surgeon in precise location of an acetabular implant during total hip replacement by positioning said acetabular implant in a patient'"'"'s joint socket in said patient'"'"'s pelvic region, comprising:

an ultrasonic imaging head for real-time in-vivo imaging of said patient'"'"'s joint socket and pelvic region during hip joint replacement,

an ultrasonic adapter cup operatively connected to said ultrasonic imaging head, said ultrasonic adapter cup having a portion that fits within said joint socket, and

alignment markings operatively positioned in said joint socket for accurate positioning of said ultrasonic adapter cup and said acetabular implant in said joint socket.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ultrasonic adapter cup portion that fits within said joint socket substantially matches the shape of said joint socket and said acetabulum.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 including a drill operatively connected to said ultrasonic imaging head and said ultrasonic adapter cup that operates to operatively position said alignment markings in said joint socket.