Methods and apparatus for wireplasty bone resection

Abstract

A cutting tool to be utilized in the resection or removal of bone tissue from patients includes a handle that tensions a wire or cable-like cutting member with a small diameter between at least two features on the handle to present a thin cutting profile. The design of the cutting tool includes features that protect against soft tissue damage and minimize the incision size necessary to utilize the tool. Some embodiments feature details of the cutting tool that interface with a surgical cutting guide system. Other embodiments describe a cutting tool with a selectively changeable length of the cutting profile of the wire cutting member. In one embodiment, the wire cutting member of the cutting tool is energized by mechanical energy in the form of a unidirectional rotation of the cutting member, a mechanical vibration of the cutting member, or an oscillating movement of the wire cutting member.

Description

CLAIM TO PRIORITY [0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 540,992, filed Feb. 2, 2004, entitled, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR WIREPLASTY BONE RESECTION,” and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 036,584, filed Jan. 14, 2005, entitled, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PINPLASTY BONE RESECTION,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 536,320, filed Jan. 14, 2004, entitled, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PINPLASTY BONE RESECTION,” the disclosure of each of which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for bone resection to allow for the interconnection or attachment of various prosthetic devices with respect to the patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a wireplasty bone resection technique in which wires or cables act as bone cutting tools. [0004] 2. Background Art [0005]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention provides for a cutting tool to be utilized in the resection or removal of bone tissue from patients. The cutting tool includes a handle that tensions a wire or cable-like cutting member with a small diameter between at least two stationary points on the handle to present a thin cutting profile. The design of the cutting tool includes features that protect against soft tissue damage and minimize the incision size necessary to utilize the tool. Some embodiments feature details of the cutting tool that interface with a surgical cutting guide

Problems solved by technology

Past efforts have not been successful in consistently and/or properly locating and orienting distal femoral resections in a quick and efficient manner.

Unfortunately, present approaches to using such planar saw blade instrumentation systems all possess certain limitations and liabilities.

This kind of error is further compounded by the “tolerance stacking,” inherent in the use of multiple alignment guides and cutting guides.

Another error inherent in these systems further adding to mal-alignment is deflection of the oscillating saw blade during the cutting process.

The use of an oscillating saw blade is very skill intensive as the blade will also follow the path of least resistance through the bone and deflect in a manner creating variations in the cut surfaces which further contribute to prosthesis mal-alignmen

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