Patient-specific alignment guide for multiple incisions

• US 8,298,237 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schoenefeld, Ryan J., Metzger, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Kevin T
• Assistant Examiner(s): BATES, DAVID W
• Application Number:
  US12/025,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20080114370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,730 Days
• Field of Search: 606 87- 90, 606/96, 600/215, 302/86, 408/115.B, 408/202, 408/241.G
• US Class Current: 606/87
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1721 for applying pins along or parallel to the axis of the femoral neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1728 for holes for bone plates or plate screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/744 the longitudinal elements coupled to an intramedullary nail
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/568 produced with shape and dimensions specific for an individual patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/00 Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/56; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devicesbandages, dressings or absorbent pads A61F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/98 Drill guide

Abstract

A patient-specific alignment guide for an orthopedic implant. The alignment guide can include a body having first and second opposing surfaces, the second surface adapted for positioning over a skin surface, and at least one extension extending from the second surface body. The extension has a distal end defining a patient-specific end surface that is mateable in form-fitting manner with a subcutaneous portion of the patient'"'"'s anatomy, and at least one guiding passage extending between the first surface of the body and the distal end of the extension.

Claims

1. A method for multiple incision orthopedic surgery comprising:

making a plurality of incisions through the skin of the patient to a plurality of corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portions;

supporting an undersurface of a body of an alignment guide on an outer skin surface of the patient, the alignment guide having a plurality of extensions extending from the undersurface of the alignment guide, wherein at least one extension has a patient-specific distal end surface preoperatively configured from a three-dimensional image of the patient'"'"'s anatomy to nestingly mate and conform in form-fitting manner with a corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion;

percutaneously passing each extension through the corresponding incision;

contacting the patient-specific distal end surface of the at least one extension to the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion;

inserting a tool through a guiding passage extending from the body and along the at least one extension to the distal end surface of the at least one extension; and

preparing the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion for the surgical procedure using the tool.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein preparing the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion for the surgical procedure comprises drilling a hole through the subcutaneous anatomic portion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portions are vertebral portions.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the subcutaneous anatomic portions are portions of a long bone.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein mating the end surface of the at least one extension to the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion, includes telescopically moving the at least one extension to the subcutaneous anatomic portion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein mating the patient-specific distal end surface of the at least one extension to the corresponding subcutaneous anatomic portion includes pivoting the at least one extension toward the subcutaneous anatomic portion.