Systems and methods for joint replacement

Abstract

Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, to distract a joint, or to otherwise assist in an orthopedic procedure or procedures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 102,754, filed Oct. 3, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 135,863, filed Jul. 24, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 102,767, filed Oct. 3, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 155,093, filed Feb. 24, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 104,644, filed Oct. 10, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 153,268, filed Feb. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 153,257, filed Feb. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 153,255, filed Feb. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 173,158, filed Apr. 27, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 187,632, filed Jun. 16, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 173,159, filed Apr. 27, 2009, each of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVE...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In accordance with at least one embodiment, a surgical orientation device for use in a total knee arthroplasty procedure having an associated three-dimensional coordinate reference system can comprise a portable housing configured to connect to a knee bone by way of one or more orthopedic fixtures, a sensor located within the housing, the sensor configured to monitor the orientation of the housing in the three-dimensional coordinate reference system, the sensor further configured to generate orientation data corresponding to the monitored orientation of the surgical orientation device, and wherein the sensor comprises a multi-axis accelerometer. The surgical orientation device can further comprise a display module configured to display one or more angle measurements corresponding to an offset from a flexion-extension angle or a varus-valgus angle of a mechanical axis of the knee joint, and wherein the sensor can be oriented relative to the housing at an acute angle to maximize the sensitivity of the sensor when coupled to a tibia or a femur.

Problems solved by technology

Current systems and methods often use expensive, complex, bulky, and / or massive computer navigation systems which require a computer or computers, as well as three dimensional imaging, to track a spatial location and / or movement of a surgical instrument or landmark in the human body.

These systems are used generally to assist a user to determine where in space a tool or landmark is located, and often require extensive training, cost, and room.

Where such complex and costly system are not used, simple methods are used, such “eyeballing” the alignment of rods with anatomical features, such as leg bones.

These simple methods are not sufficiently accurate to reliably align and place implant components and the bones to which such components are attached.

Accordingly, there is a lack of devices, systems and methods that can be used to accurately position components of prosthetic joints without overly complicating the procedures, crowding the medical personnel, and / or burdening the physician of health-care facility with the great cost of complex navigation systems.

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