Navigation and positioning instruments for joint repair

• US 9,033,987 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2013
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Knee Creations, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hanson, Shaun B., Mandeen, Christopher D., Nichols, David L., Russell, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US14/143,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20140114369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 606/86.R, 606 87- 89, 606 96- 98
• US Class Current: 606/86.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1635 for grafts, harvesting or transplants
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/17 Guides or aligning means for drills , mills, pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1764 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8805 for introducing fluid filler into bone or extracting it A61B17/7097, A61B17/8833 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/101 for stereotaxic radiosurgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/10 for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/46 Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor

Abstract

An instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target area near a defect of a bone is provided. The instrument comprises a guide frame having a plurality of device portals, each portal defining a trajectory. The guide frame further includes visual markers for aligning the guide frame to an anatomical landmark on the bone to be treated. The instrument also includes a holder for releasable attachment with the guide frame. Each device portal is configured to provide accurate and controlled delivery of the device to the target area. In one example, the markers are radiopaque, and are visualized through fluoroscopy. A method of using the instrument is also provided.

Claims

1. A guidance instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target area of a bone, comprising:

a guide frame having at least one rail arm and a plurality of device portals on the arm arranged in a grid pattern and configured for locating the target area, each portal defining an angular trajectory and being configured to provide controlled delivery of the device to the target area, the guide frame further including at least one visual marker that enables the guide frame to be aligned relative to an anatomical landmark on the bone to be treated by visualization of the marker; and

a holder configured to extend from the guide frame.

2. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one visual marker is radiopaque.

3. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one visual marker is configured to be visualized through fluoroscopy.

4. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one visual marker defines a geometric shape.

5. The guidance instrument of claim 4, wherein the geometric shape is a circle, a square, an oval, a star, or a teardrop.

6. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one visual marker includes a first visual marker and a second visual marker.

7. The guidance instrument of claim 6, wherein the first visual marker is configured for alignment with a superior surface of a tibial plateau.

8. The guidance instrument of claim 7, wherein the first visual marker is linear.

9. The guidance instrument of claim 7, wherein the second visual marker is configured for alignment with a posterior portion of the tibial plateau.

10. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one rail arm is shaped so as to define a portion of a circle.

11. The guidance instrument of claim 1, further comprising an inferior guide configured to be coupled to the guide frame.

12. The guidance instrument of claim 11, wherein the guide frame further comprises a plurality of tabs spaced along the rail arm, and wherein the inferior guide can be coupled to any one of the tabs.

13. The guidance instrument of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer element attachable to the holder, wherein the stabilizer element includes an engagement portion configured to be positioned against a bone to provide mechanical support for the guide frame.

14. The guidance instrument of claim 13, wherein the stabilizer element is adjustable relative to the holder.

15. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the holder includes at least one device portal.

16. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one arm comprises a pair of arms, each arm having a plurality of device portals.

17. The guidance instrument of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to be attached to the guide frame in an attached position and detached from the guide frame in a detached position.

18. A guidance instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target area of a bone, comprising:

a guide frame having a first rail arm and a second rail arm, the first and second rail arms each including at least one device portal defining an angular trajectory and a visual marker, wherein the guide frame can be aligned relative to an anatomical landmark on the bone by aligning the visual marker of the first rail arm with the visual marker of the second rail arm; and

a holder configured to extend from the guide frame.

19. The guidance instrument of claim 18, wherein the visual markers are radiopaque.

20. The guidance instrument of claim 18, wherein the visual markers are configured to be aligned and visualized through fluoroscopy.