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

The patent text describes a lack of devices, systems, and methods for accurately positioning components of prosthetic joints without overcomplicating the procedures, crowding medical personnel, and burdening the healthcare facility with expensive navigation systems. The patent proposes a surgical orientation device that can be used in a total knee arthroplasty procedure to accurately position the femoral and tibial components of the joint. The device includes a portable housing connected to the knee bone and a sensor that monitors the orientation of the housing in a three-dimensional coordinate reference system. The sensor generates orientation data that can be used to accurately position the surgical orientation device and the associated adjustment device. The device can also include an output device that informs the user of the orientation of the device relative to a mechanical axis of the joint. The patent also describes a method for preparing the proximal portion of the tibia and the distal portion of the femur for joint replacement procedures using the surgical orientation device. Overall, the patent aims to provide a solution for accurately positioning components of prosthetic joints during orthopedic procedures without adding complexity or burden to the medical personnel.

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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