Orthopedic external fixator and method of use

• US 20110034924A1
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virak Orthopedic Research, LLC
• Original Assignee: Virak Orthopedic Research, LLC
• Inventors: Tan, Virak
• Granted Patent: US 8,282,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6425 specially adapted to be fitted across a bone joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6441 Bilateral fixators, i.e. with both ends of pins or wires clamped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms

Abstract

An orthopedic apparatus is provided for bridging a first bone unit to a second bone unit. The apparatus is demonstrated on a finger joint, wherein one of the bones and/or ligaments and/or tendons of the joint is/are injured. A method for implanting and using the apparatus also is presented. The apparatus includes a reformably deformable span portion which is generally circular and preferably rhombic. By deforming or reforming the span portion, it can be repositioned laterally, and/or it can be rotated to allow range of rotary motion so as to promote healing.

Claims

1. An orthopedic apparatus for bridging between a first bone unit and a second bone unit, the apparatus comprising:

a) first attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the first bone unit;

b) second attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the second bone unit; and

c) control means operatively associated with said first attaching means and with said second attaching means to produce at least two conditions;

i) in a first of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit, and

ii) in a second of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than said first direction;

wherein said control means includes a reformably deformable member which urges said first attaching means and said second attaching means relative to each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, and brass.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first attaching means includes at least one first generally circular-shaped ring;

and

wherein said at least one first generally circular-shaped ring of said first attaching means is for receiving an end of at least one first pin, respectively, passing transversely at least into the first bone unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one first pin is selected from the group consisting of a K-wire and a rod.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one first pin is a K-wire having a diameter in a range of 0.045-0.062 inches.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one first pin is for passing transversely at least into the center of rotation of the head of the first bone unit so as to allow the second bone unit to rotate by flexion and extension by allowing said apparatus to pivot around said at least one first pin.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said second attaching means includes at least one second generally circular-shaped ring;

and

wherein said at least one second generally circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means receives an end of at least one second pin, respectively, passing transversely at least into the second bone unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one second pin is selected from the group consisting of a K-wire and a rod.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said at least one second pin is a K-wire having a diameter in a range of 0.045-0.062 inches.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one second generally circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means is at least a pair of second generally circular-shaped rings;

and

wherein said at least a pair of second generally circular-shaped rings of said second attaching means receive at least a pair of second pins, respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least a pair of second generally circular-shaped rings of said second attaching means are connected to each other by a rod.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said apparatus is for positioning on one side of the at least one of the injured bone and/or injured joint;

and

wherein another said apparatus is for positioning on the other side of the at least one injured bone and/or injured joint and receives the other end of the at least one first pin, respectively, and the other end of the at least one second pin, respectively.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said control means includes a generally rhombus-shaped ring;

and

wherein said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means is straddled by said at least one first generally circular-shaped ring of said first attaching means and said at least one second generally circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means has:

a) a forward angle; and

b) a rearward angle;

wherein said at least one second generally circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means extends forwardly from said forward angle of said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means; and

wherein said at least one first generally circular-shaped ring of said first attaching means extends rearwardly from said rearward angle of said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means has:

a) a top angle; and

b) a bottom angle;

wherein said top angle of said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means and said bottom angle of said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means when moved cause said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means to deform and move said first attaching means and said second attaching means relative to each other, and in doing so, moves the first bone unit and the second bone unit relative to each other.

16. The apparatus if claim 15, wherein said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means is made from a non-memory metal so as to allow it to maintain its deformed shape once deformed.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said generally rhombus-shaped ring of said control means is deformed to move said first attaching means and said second attaching means relative to each other in a range of 1-3 mm.

18. A method for using an orthopedic apparatus for bridging between a first bone unit and a second bone unit of at least one of the bones and/or joint for one of distraction, compression, static position and/or control of range of rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint, the method comprising the steps of:

a) inserting at least one first pin transversely at least into the first bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one first pin sticking out from the first bone unit on one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint;

b) inserting at least one second pin transversely at least into the second bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one second pin sticking out from the second bone unit on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint;

c) positioning the apparatus on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint;

d) sliding first attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one first pin so as to allow the first attaching means to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one pin, and sliding second attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one second pin, respectively, and in doing so, mounting the apparatus to the at least one first pin and to the at least one second pin; and

e) deforming control means of the apparatus to produce at least two conditions;

i) in a first of the conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit for one of the distraction, the compression, the static position, and/or the control of range of rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint, and

ii) in a second of the conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than the first direction for the other one of the distraction, the compression, the static positioning, and/or the control of range or rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of crimping the end of the at least one first pin and crimping the end of the at least one second pin, and in so doing, affixing the apparatus to the at least one first pin and to the at least one second pin.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said positioning step includes positioning the apparatus that is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, and brass, on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the injured joint.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said sliding step includes sliding first attaching means of the apparatus that is at least one first generally circular-shaped ring over the end of the at least one first pin, respectively, so as to allow the first attaching means to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin, and sliding the second attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one second pin, respectively.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said first inserting step includes inserting at least one first pin that is selected from the group consisting of a K-wire and a rod transversely at least into the first bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one first pin sticking out from the first bone unit on one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein said inserting step includes inserting at least one first pin that is selected from the group consisting of a K-wire and a rod, each with a diameter in a range of 0.045-0.062 inches, transversely at least into the first bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one first pin sticking out from the first bone unit on one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said first inserting step includes inserting at least one first pin through the center of rotation of the head of the first bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one first pin sticking out from the first bone unit on one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint so as to allow the second bone unit to rotate by flexion and extension by allowing the apparatus to pivot around the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said sliding step includes sliding first attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one first pin so as to allow the first attaching means to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin, and sliding the second attaching means of the apparatus that is at least one second generally circular-shaped ring over the end of the at least one second pin, respectively.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said inserting step includes inserting at least one second pin that is selected from the group consisting of a K-wire and a rod transversely at least into the second bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one second pin sticking out from the second bone unit on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said inserting step includes inserting at least one second pin that is selected from the group consisting of a K-wire and a rod, each having a diameter in a range of 0.045-0.062 inches, transversely at least into the second bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one second pin sticking out from the second bone unit on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein said sliding step includes sliding first attaching means of the apparatus that is at least one first generally circular-shaped ring over the end of the at least one first pin, respectively, so as to allow the first attaching means to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin, and sliding the second attaching means of the apparatus that is at least a pair of second generally circular-shaped rings over the end of at least a pair of second pins, respectively.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein said sliding step includes sliding first attaching means of the apparatus that is at least one first generally circular-shaped ring over the end of the at least one first pin, respectively, so as to allow the first attaching means to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin, and sliding the second attaching means of the apparatus that is at least a pair of second generally circular-shaped rings connected to each other by a rod over the end of the at least one second pin, respectively.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein said positioning step includes positioning the apparatus on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint and positioning another apparatus on the other side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein said sliding step includes sliding first attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one first pin so as to allow the first attaching means of the apparatus to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin, sliding second attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one second pin, respectively, and in doing so, mounting the apparatus to the at least one first pin and to the at least one second pin, sliding first attaching means of another apparatus over the other end of the at least one first pin, respectively, so as to allow the first attaching means of the another apparatus to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one first pin, and sliding second attaching means of the another apparatus over the other end of the at least one second pin, respectively, and in doing so, mounting the another apparatus to the at least one first pin and to the at least one second pin.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein said deforming step includes deforming control means that is a generally rhombus-shaped ring that is straddled by the at least one first generally circular-shaped ring of the first attaching apparatus and the at least one second generally circular-shaped ring of the second attaching means to produce at least two conditions:

a) in the first of the conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit for one of the distraction, the compression, the static positioning, and/or the control of range or rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and the joint, and,

b) in the second of the conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than the first direction for the other one of the distraction, the compression, the static positioning, the control of range of rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein said deforming step includes deforming control means that is a generally rhombus-shaped ring that has a forward angle and a rearward angle.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said deforming step includes deforming control means that is a generally rhombus-shaped ring that has the at least one second generally circular-shaped ring of the second attaching means extending forwardly from the forward angle of the generally rhombus-shaped ring of the control means and has the at least one first generally circular-shaped ring of the first attaching means extending rearwardly from the rearward angle of the generally rhombus-shaped ring of the control means.

35. The method of claim 18, wherein said deforming step includes deforming control means that is a generally rhombus-shaped ring that has a top angle and a bottom angle that is moved relative to each other to cause the generally rhombus-shaped ring of the control means to deform and move the first attaching means and the second attaching means relative to each other, and in doing so, moving the first bone unit and the second bone unit relative to each other.

36. The method if claim 18, wherein said deforming step includes deforming control means that is a generally rhombus-shaped ring made from a non-memory metal so as to allow it to maintain its deformed shape once deformed.

37. The method if claim 18, wherein said deforming step includes deforming control means that is a generally rhombus-shaped ring that is deformed to move the first attaching means and the second attaching means relative to each other in a range of 1-3 mm.