Extracapsular surgical procedure

• US 7,905,924 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ralph Richard White
• Original Assignee: Ralph Richard White
• Inventors: White, Ralph Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): PREBILIC, PAUL B
• Application Number:
  US11/221,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,016 Days
• Field of Search: 623/18.11, 623/914, 623 1311- 132
• US Class Current: 623/18.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1714 for applying tendons or ligaments implements for applying tendons or ligaments A61F2/0805
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0619 thermoplastic, e.g. for bonding, welding, fusing or cutting the suture by melting it
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/914 Bone

Abstract

A method and device for finding isometric points in the joints of mammals for use in surgical repair of a joint. Isometric points are first identified in radiographic or other two dimensional images and then located in the actual joint. A method for repairing a cruciate ligament-deficient canine stifle employing the method and device for finding isometric points is described. A method and apparatus for locating the axis of rotation of a joint is also described.

Claims

1. A method of providing a stabilizing extracapsular surgical repair for an articulating joint between two bones in a mammalian subject, comprising:

(a) obtaining a pair of images, a first image of said pair showing said articulating joint in a fully flexed position and a second image of said pair showing said articulating joint in a fully extended position;

(b) in said images identifying a pair of points between which to provide an extracapsular tension-carrying structure interconnecting said two bones, said pair of points being a reference point on a first one of said two bones and an isometric point on the second one of said two bones, said reference and isometric points being located in said joint so as to be separated by a separation distance that is equal in both of said first and second images;

(c) providing a measuring and locating device having;

(i) a body;

(ii) a pair of locating portions associated with a said body, at least one of said locating portions being adjustably located with respect to said body; and

(iii) a scale capable of providing an indication of a separation distance between said locating portions;

(d) locating said reference point in said first one of said bones in said articulating joint in said subject;

(e) thereafter, locating a trial isometric point on said second one of said bones in said articulating joint in said subject by fastening a first marking element at said reference point and holding a second marking element in said second locating portion of said device at said separation distance with said articulating joint in a first one of a fully extended position and a fully flexed position;

(f) moving said articulating joint to the other one of said fully extended and fully flexed positions and observing whether said reference point and said trial isometric point are then separated by said separation distance; and

adjusting the position of said second locating member with respect to said trial isometric point until an isometric point is located on said second one of said bones of said articulating joint; and

(g) surgically attaching a tension-bearing repair structure to said bones as necessary to provide tension-bearing structure extending between respectively said reference point and said isometric point as thus located in said joint.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said locating portions includes a threaded component adjustably carried in said locating portions.

3. The method of claim 1, when said device includes a releasable fastener selectively holding said locating portions at a predetermined distance from each other.

4. The method of claim 1, including the further step of using said scale and thereby verifying that said separation distance between said reference point and said isometric point is equal when said joint is flexed and when it is extended.