Procedure for repairing foot injury

• US 9,463,034 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2014
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wright Medical Technology Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Wright Medical Technology Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Wong, Kian-Ming (Kevin), Hartdegen, Vernon R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Olivia C
• Application Number:
  US14/276,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20140249537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 606/80, 606/86.R, 606 87- 88, 606 96- 99, 606/104, 606/105
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1703 using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1721 for applying pins along or parallel to the axis of the femoral neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1725 for applying transverse screws or pins through intramedullary nails or pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1775 for the foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A Lisfranc injury between a second metatarsal and medial cuneiform is repaired by gaining access to the injury site and placing two arm members of a novel drill guide around the two neighboring bones at the injury site, drilling a guide wire through the two bones guided by the drill guide to a desired depth, and measuring the depth of the guide wire for determining proper length for a bone screw for securing the two bones.

Claims

1. A method for positioning a passageway in two neighboring bones comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a device for guiding and positioning a guide wire or a drill to a point on a first neighboring bone'"'"'s surface where the passageway is to begin, said device comprising;

an elongated body having first and second ends;

a first arm member extending from said first end of the elongated body and terminating at an outer end tip;

a second arm member extending from said elongated body and having a base portion and an outer end, wherein the base portion is configured and adapted to engage the elongated body and allow the second arm member to be longitudinally movable along said elongated body, said second arm member extending from the elongated body in the same direction as the first arm member and terminating at the outer end;

a guide housing provided on the second arm member at the first arm member'"'"'s outer end that is away from the elongated body, the guide housing comprising;

a cylindrical shape with a sleeve-receiving bore extending longitudinally therethrough and defining an inner surface; and

an annular groove provided on the outer surface of the guide housing; and

a substantially cylindrical-shaped sleeve extending between a first end and a second end and removably received in said guide housing'"'"'s bore, the sleeve comprising;

a flared head portion provided at the first end for stopping the sleeve when the sleeve is inserted into the guide housing;

a retention tab extending longitudinally toward the second end from the flared head portion for cooperating with the guide housing for retaining the sleeve in the guide housing, wherein the retention tab is provided with a spring-loaded detent that cooperates with the annular groove on the outer surface of the guide housing for retaining the sleeve in the guide housing; and

a longitudinal bore, wherein said guide housing is provided with at least one spike extending towards the first arm member whereby one or more bone pieces positioned between the first and second arm members is secured between said at least one spike and said first arm'"'"'s outer end by moving the second arm member towards the first arm member;

(b) making an incision to access said two neighboring bones;

(c) placing said first and second arm members around the two neighboring bones by placing said at least one spike on one of the two neighboring bones;

(d) inserting a first sleeve into the guide housing, said first sleeve configured and adapted for receiving a guide wire;

(e) reducing the two neighboring bones by compressing the first and second arm members;

(f) drilling a guide wire through the two neighboring bones in an alignment guided by the first sleeve to a desired depth which is until the guide wire hits the outer end tip; and

(g) measuring said depth of the guide wire for determining proper length for a bone screw for securing the two neighboring bones.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(h) drilling a cannulated drill bit into the two neighboring bones to a drill depth using the guide wire as a guide; and

(i) threading a bone screw into the two neighboring bones, said bone screw having a length matching the measured depth of the guide wire.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein after the step (c), further comprising a step of verifying the desired alignment of the two arm members by inserting a blunt trocar in the guide housing and verifying the desired alignment with an external imaging technology before reducing the two neighboring bones.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein after drilling the guide wire into the bones, further comprising a step of verifying said alignment of the guide wire by using an external imaging technology.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising verifying said drill depth by an external imaging technology.