Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-08-21
Reip, David O. (Department: 3731)
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
C606S059000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277118
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the external fixation of bones. More particularly, the present invention relates to an angular correction module for an external fixator which facilitates the gradual angular correction of bone deformities and malunions. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus incorporating a module for articulating a first bone screw clamping assembly relative to a second bone screw clamping assembly about a center of rotation spaced from the module.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In various orthopedic surgical procedures, it is necessary to secure two bone portions in a relatively fixed relationship to each other. For example, the need for establishing such a secured relationship is often a result of a fracture which has occurred to the bone. To ensure that the bone can regenerate in the proper orientation and fuse the fracture, it is important that the bone portions be fixed in the desired position during bone regeneration.
Various external fixation devices for the repair of traumatized bone are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,650 to Bailey et al. discloses an apparatus for the external fixation of large bones. The apparatus is illustrated to include a main body as well as a first and second bone screw clamps. The main body serves to allow the apparatus to axially rotate, thereby providing a proper longitudinal rotational location of the bone screws with respect to a bone. The first bone screw clamp is used to secure a first bone screw to the apparatus while permitting the first bone screw to be axially displaced from the main body. In a similar fashion, the second bone screw clamp functions to secure a second bone screw to the apparatus and to allow the second bone screw to be axially displaced with respect to the main body. U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,650 is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
In certain orthopedic surgical procedures, it is necessary to engage two bone portions in a fixed relationship and angularly adjust the two bone portions relative to each other. The need for making such an adjustment is frequently the result of bone deformity. Such bone deformities may result from congenital defects including but not limited to Blount's Disease, Tibia Vara, Paget's Disease and Hypophosphatemic Rickets. Angular adjustment of bone portions may also be required as a result of post-traumatic applications, such as the correction of bone malunions.
Other known devices are available for the correction of bone deformities and malunions. For example, the various products manufactured by Orthofix S.r.l. include a fixator having an elongated main body pivotally attached to a T-clamp. The T-clamp attaches to a plurality of bone pins. This fixator further includes a removable compression-distraction unit for angular correction of a bone. The compression-distraction unit attaches to the main body and the T-clamp. Through compression and distraction the unit functions to pivot the T-clamp relative to the main body, and thereby angularly correct the bone.
While the fixators specifically for correcting bone deformities and malunions of the type described above may have proven acceptable for certain applications, such fixators are nevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their performance of the fixator. In this regard, known devices for external bone fixation are typically not suitable for articulating a first bone screw clamping assembly relative to a second bone screw clamping assembly about a center of rotation passing through an axis of the bone.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for the external fixation of bone which allows the rate of angular correction of bone deformities and malunions to be easily and more accurately controlled.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for the external fixation of bone in which an accurate correlation can be made between movement of a drive unit and the degrees of corrective angulation to a bone.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for the external fixation of bone in which gradual angular corrections can be made to a bone, as opposed to acute angular corrections.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for angularly correcting a bone which eliminates the nuisance of locking and unlocking a mechanism before and after angular adjustments can be made.
A more specific advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for the external fixation of bone incorporating an angular correction module for articulating a first bone screw clamping assembly relative to a second bone screw clamping assembly about an axis spaced from the correction module.
A related advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for the external fixation of bone incorporating an angular correction module for articulating a first bone screw clamping assembly relative to a second bone screw clamping assembly about an axis intersecting a longitudinal axis of the bone.
Another specific advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for the external fixation of bone in which corrective angulation of a bone is obtained through operation of a worm gear.
In one form, the present invention provides an apparatus for external fixation of a bone. The apparatus includes a first bone screw and a second bone screw. The first bone screw is adapted to be connected to a first portion of the bone. The second bone screw is adapted to be connected to a second portion of the bone. A first bone screw clamping assembly receives the first bone screw. A second bone screw clamping assembly receives the second bone screw. An angular correction module connects the first and second bone screw clamping assemblies. The module includes first and second elements coupled to allow articulation of the first bone screw clamping assembly relative to the second bone screw clamping assembly about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is spaced from the module.
In another form, the present invention provides a method for adjustably securing a first bone portion to a second bone portion with a first bone screw engaged with the first bone portion and a second bone screw engaged with the second bone portion. The method includes the general steps of forming a first bone screw clamping assembly, forming a second bone screw clamping assembly, and interconnecting the first bone screw clamping assembly and the second bone screw clamping assembly with an angular correction module. The method additionally includes the general steps of connecting the first bone screw to the first bone screw clamping assembly and connecting the second bone screw to the second bone screw clamping assembly. The method further includes the general step of articulating the angular correction module to rotate the first bone screw clamping assembly relative to the second bone screw clamping assembly about an axis of rotation spaced from the angular correction module.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2251209 (1941-07-01), Stader
patent: 2333033 (1943-10-01), Mraz
patent: 2391537 (1945-12-01), Anderson
patent: 4488542 (1984-12-01), Helland
patent: 4615338 (1986-10-01), Ilizarov et al.
patent: 4978348 (1990-12-01), Ilizarov
patent: 5074866 (1991-12-01), Sherman et al.
patent: 5358504 (1994-10-01), Paley et al.
patent: 5486176 (1996-01-01), Hildebrand et al.
Bailey Kirk J.
Grant Alfred D.
Torres, Jr. Milton R.
Electro-Biology, Inc.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Reip David O.
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