Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Patent
1997-05-15
1998-02-24
Tucker, Guy V.
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
606 63, 606 78, 623 11, 623 16, A61B 1756
Patent
active
057207461
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to devices for displacing two bodies relative to each other, and having particularly advantageous applications in making prostheses suitable for being implanted in the human body, or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In numerous applications, it is necessary to displace two bodies relative to each other while simultaneously controlling such displacement. When the two bodies are uncovered or in spacious and easily accessible locations, it is relatively easy to obtain such displacement and to control it, but the same is not true when the two bodies are not directly accessible. This applies, for example, to two portions of a prosthesis implanted in a child and where it is desirable to be able to displace one portion relative to the other to reproduce growth, or to two portions of an appliance for correcting a deformation of the human body by applying stress thereto which it is desirable to renew easily by displacing the two portions of the appliance.
OBJECT AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is thus to provide a device enabling two bodies to be displaced relative to each other and having a structure that enables it to be implemented very easily even under difficult conditions of accessibility, of environment, and of size, the device thus having particularly advantageous applications in making prostheses or implantable appliances.
More precisely, the present invention provides a device for displacing first and second bodies relative to each other, wherein the device comprises:
first and second pieces;
first means for associating the first piece with the first body;
second means for associating the second piece with the second body;
means for applying a force between said two pieces;
a projecting portion secured to one of the two pieces;
a cavity formed in the other piece, said cavity being complementary in shape to at least a part of said projecting portion;
said first and second pieces being mounted for displacement relative to each other in such a manner that said projecting portion engages in said cavity;
the piece in which said cavity is made being of a first material suitable for passing from an undeformable hard first state to a deformable soft second state, and vice versa, the undeformable hard state being a state in which said projecting portion cannot deform said first material under drive from said force, and the deformable soft state being a state in which said projecting portion, under drive from said force, can penetrate into said first material in such a manner that said first material can creep around said projecting portion, while the piece carrying said projection portion is made of a second material that is substantially undeformable; and
means for controlling the passage of at least the portion of the first material that surrounds the cavity from the first state to the second state, and vice versa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appear from the following description given with reference to the accompanying illustrative but non-limiting drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams of an embodiment of a device of the invention for displacing first and second bodies relative to each other, the figures showing two different respective states of operation;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic section through an embodiment of a segment of a prosthesis, e.g. intended for replacing the top portion of the tibia of a child, and making use of the device of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic section view showing an embodiment of a rod of variable length for surgically correcting the spine, and using a device of the invention; and
FIGS. 5 and 6 are two diagrammatic longitudinal sections through an embodiment of a medullar nail used for lengthening a long bone such as the femur, by making use of a device of the invention, the section of FIG. 6 being referenced VI--VI in FIG. 5, and the section of FIG. 5 being referenced V--V in FIG. 6.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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patent: 5516335 (1996-05-01), Kummer et al.
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