Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-11
2001-02-27
Buiz, Michael (Department: 3731)
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
C606S062000, C606S099000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193725
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a rod from the tissue of an organism. The method and apparatus employ a link, a fastener, a hollow sleeve and an expanding device which form a universal adapter for removing rods from tissue such as bone. The universal adapter is capable of removing many different size rods having various diameters.
2. Description of the Background Art
Various types of rods are used in surgery to repair fractures of: human tissue, such as the fracture of bones. Rods typically provide a solid and secure mechanism for joining broken bones so that the bones will heal in a substantially controlled and properly oriented manner. Various rod removal and insertion devices exist in the conventional art for the removal and insertion of rods into bones. Many of the rod insertion and removal devices include threaded ends with a predetermined diameter which match with a specific rod having the identical diameter and threading as the insertion and/or removal device. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,092 (Dorr), an intramedullary nail inserted into a bone includes a threaded end which engages a removal/insertion device having a threaded socket where both the threaded end and the threaded socket have corresponding diameters and threads which are designed specifically for each other. In orthopedic surgery, it has become commonplace to insert rods of varying diameters for different types of bone fractures. Furthermore, manufacturers of such rods require specific individual tools for each rod. In other words, each type of rod requires a specific tool for the insertion and/or removal of the rod with respect to the living tissue. Such a design substantially inflates the cost of both the rods and the insertion/removal tools, while also creating a potential hazard during emergency removal of the rods.
In an emergency situation where speedy removal of the rods from the tissue is required, the conventional art requires the matching of the rod with a respective removal tool. Locating the appropriate removal tool for a respective rod often requires an inordinate amount of time for the medical practitioner to perform such a task. Often, rods of the conventional art would require identifying serial numbers and/or part numbers to facilitate the identification of the appropriate removal tool. Such a system requires that a medical practitioner identify the serial number and/or part number of the rod and to match the serial number and/or part number of the rod with a published listing in order to identify the appropriate removal tool number. Such a matching process also requires an inordinate amount of time of the medical practitioner, especially during an emergency situation.
Accordingly, a need in the art exists for a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism without requiring an array of removal tools which are designed for rods having different diameters and/or threading patterns. A further need exists in the art for a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism which forms a universal adapter which can remove any type of rod that has a diameter and/or threading pattern which is within the range of diameters contemplated by the design of the universal adapter. A further need exists in the art for the removal of a rod from the tissue of an organism in a substantially efficient manner during an emergency situation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism which can engage and remove any type of rod having a diameter and/or threading pattern which is within the range of diameters contemplated by the universal rod adapter. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which facilitates the removal of a rod from the tissue of an organism by providing a substantially non-slip gripping mechanism which attaches to a rod wall surrounding an aperture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the rapid removal of a rod from tissue of an organism to avoid the inordinate delay of existing systems which require one to match serial numbers and/or part numbers of a corresponding rod to a particular removal tool.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from the tissue of an organism which employs a universal rod extractor which can remove at least one of femoral and tibial rods.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue which employs a universal adapter which will fit an array of rods of differently sized internal diameters.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus from removing a rod from tissue which substantially reduces the costs associated with the removal of rods from living tissue.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism which substantially reduces the time, effort, and resources expended by the medical practitioner, especially by eliminating the task of matching rod serial number and/or part numbers with an appropriate removal tool.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from the tissue of an organism which employs a relatively simple structure that substantially increases manufacturing efficiency thereof.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue which employs a link that forms part of a substantially non-slip gripping mechanism which attaches to a rod wall surrounding an aperture therein while also providing an attachment surface for a slap hammer/rod mechanism used to vibrate the link in addition to a fastener, a hollow sleeve, and an expanding device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue which will facilitate axial movement of the rod.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism which will substantially reduce the potential for damage to the tissue such as lacerations, bone chipping, cracking or splitting during the removal of the rod from the tissue.
As a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism which provides a link which includes structures which are designed to mate with respective mating structures of an expandable engaging device. The respective mating structures of the link and the engaging device are substantially designed to prevent any rotation of the engaging device relative to the link.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an organism which employs a universal rod adapter which is designed to remove femoral and tibial rods, and more specifically intramedullary femoral or tibial rods.
These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a universal rod adapter for removing a rod from tissue of an organism, where the rod adapter comprising a link with at least one bore and first means for mating; means for engaging a wall surrounding an aperture of the rod, the aperture having a diameter, the engaging means including a hollow sleeve with a first diameter having a plurality of openings and frictional members disposed between the openings. The engaging means further including a second means for mating disposed on one end of the sleeve; means for expanding the engaging means, the expanding means including an outer angled surface, the expanding means further including an internal threaded bore and projections on the outer angled surface; and a fastener having threads, the fastener engaging with the expanding means and moving the expanding means within the
Buiz Michael
Reip David O.
Reish Andrew F.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for removing a rod from tissue of an... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2610153