Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Patent
1999-04-26
2000-09-05
Hirsch, Paul J.
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
623 16, A61F 228, A61B 1780
Patent
active
061136034
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a means for constraining graft material.
BACKGROUND
Grafting materials, such as autologous bone, allograft bone, xenograft, organic or inorganic material or "bone paste", or other similar materials, are commonly used in procedures for fractures or surgical reconstruction of bones. These materials are used for two primary reasons--(1) in order to promote bone healing as a biologic response, and (2) in order to provide structural support.
Intraarticular fractures are a common example of a situation in which grafting material can be used. In this situation, the primary role of the grafting material is to buttress and/or support bone fragments in an anatomic or functional position; in addition, the graft material may function to promote healing.
If the grafting material does not maintain its position at the site of application, several potential problems may occur. First and foremost is that the material no longer functions for its original and intended purpose. Migration of graft material may lead to migration of the fragment to be supported; this in turn may result in complications of joint incongruity, arthritis, stiffness, pain, crepitance with joint motion, non-union or malunion, and secondary procedures (i.e. additional surgical procedures), to name a few.
In addition to losing intended function, migration of graft material may have additional deleterious effects. Migration of grafting material into adjacent soft tissues may initiate an inflammatory reaction or cause complications from mechanical pressure and irritation. For instance, graft material pressing on a nerve may cause nerve damage. Graft material pressing on tendons may cause either fraying of the tendon (even rupture) or may cause scarring and limitation of tendon gliding. Migration of graft material into an adjacent joint can cause arthritis and joint damage. Moreover, the ability of grafting material to stimulate bone formation may cause problems if the graft migrates into the soft tissues. Occasionally, this may even stimulate formation of heterotopic bone in the soft tissues, which can cause scarring, stiffness, inflammation and pain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses these problems by constraining the graft material at the site of application. For instance, one example of the present invention is to constrain graft material used with a comminuted Colles' fracture. By maintaining the graft material at the original site of application, this invention avoids the complications association with migration or drift of the graft material.
Thus, there is a need for a means to constrain graft material in its intended position and to hinder the graft material from migration. This need is met by a device according to the invention having one end for constraining the graft material and an opposite end for receiving a fastening means for attachment to stable bone cortex.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with the aid of embodiments shown in the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view, taken on line 1--1 in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of the invention, applied on the radius;
FIG. 2 is a top view, of the embodiment of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 is a top view, of a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a top view, of a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view, taken on line V--V in FIG.6 of a fourth embodiment of the invention, applied on the radius;
FIG. 6 is a top view, of the embodiment in FIG. 5; and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-section views of optional plates used with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In this description the expression "constraining end" is used to indicate the part of the graft constraint device which actually constrains the graft material. The expression "fastening end" is used to indicate the part of the graft constraint device which receives the fastening means for securing the device to a stable bone cortex.
The first embodiment of t
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