Ligament Revision System

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device and system for inserting and impacting a bone screw, allograft or bone fragment into a bone tunnel. The surgical impact system includes a surgical tamper having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The surgical tamper has an internal passage extending from the proximal end through which the distal end is reached. The distal end of the surgical tamper may have a distal end. The surgical tamper may have a handle at the proximal end or a proximal end at the proximal end. The surgical tamper may also have one or more slots extending through the outer surface of the elongated shaft and extending into the internal passage. The surgical tamper may be configured to be inserted into a delivery tube. The delivery tube is used for the purpose of accommodating a bone screw or bone fragment therein for smooth insertion into a joint.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 689,391, filed on June 25, 2018, and entitled “Ligament Revision System.” Background Art 1. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates generally to surgical systems and, more particularly, to devices and systems for inserting and impacting bone screws, allografts, or bone chips into bone tunnels.

[0005] 2. Related technical description

[0006] In the event that a failed ligament reconstruction needs to be revised, the bone loss that occurs after the failed graft or fixation hardware is removed may be too great to perform the revision in a single stage. Therefore, it is necessary to first address the bone loss before reconstructing the ligament in a second stage. To address the bone loss, bone screws or bone chips are inserted into the bone tunnel (with bone loss). After a period of time has passed and the bone has healed, the failed ligament reconstruction can be revised.

[0007] Conventional bone screws are hollow to engage with guide pins that help guide the bone screw through the joint and into the tunnel. When the bone screw is placed on the guide pins, there is no hollow tamper or impact device that can be used to insert the bone screw into the tunnel. The surgeon will use an available device 1 to impact the edge of the bone screw 2, such as Figure 1 As shown, or remove the guide pin and insert the bone screw 2 without the guide, as shown in Figure 2 These conventional bone screws cause some problems / difficulties, including that the edges of the bone screw allograft may break and shatter during insertion, or without a guide, the bone screw allograft may break and shatter during insertion. In addition, without a guide, the bone screw allograft cannot be properly oriented for insertion into the tunnel. Another problem is that some surgeons struggle to insert the bone screw through the skin incision and guide it through the knee joint structure to the femoral tunnel.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for devices and systems for inserting and impacting bone nails and bone fragments into bone tunnels without the above-mentioned associated difficulties / problems.

[0009] Related Art Section Disclaimer Description: With respect to specific patents / publications / products discussed above in the Related Art Section Description or elsewhere in this disclosure, such discussion should not be considered an admission that the discussed patents / publications / products are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed patents / publications / products may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter that was developed early enough in time, and / or may not be sufficient to achieve prior art equivalents for patent law purposes. With respect to specific patents / publications / products discussed above in the Related Art Section Description and / or throughout the application, their descriptions / disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties. Summary of the invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and systems for inserting and impacting bone nails and bone fragments into bone tunnels. According to one aspect, the present invention is a surgical impaction system. The system includes a surgical tamper having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The system includes a handle at the proximal end and a cylindrical distal tip at the distal end. The system also has an internal passage extending at least partially from the proximal end through the elongated shaft to the distal end.

[0011] According to another aspect, the system includes a surgical tamper having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The system also includes a cylindrical proximal tip at the proximal end and a cylindrical distal tip at the distal end. The system also has an internal passage extending at least partially through the proximal end to the distal end.

[0012] According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a method for inserting an object into a bone tunnel. The method comprises the following steps: (i) providing a surgical tamper having a proximal end and a distal end with an elongated shaft extending therebetween, a cylindrical distal tip at the distal end, and an internal channel extending at least partially through the elongated shaft from the proximal end to the distal end; (ii) inserting an object into the internal channel at the proximal end of the surgical tamper; and (iii) advancing the object within the internal channel to the distal tip of the surgical tamper.

[0013] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and clearly claimed as examples in the claims at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 It is an image of the device that strikes the bone screw;

[0016] Figure 2 is an image of a bone screw inserted into a bone tunnel without a guide pin;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a surgical tamper according to one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a surgical tamper according to an alternative embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective schematic diagram of a surgical tamper according to another embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A top view of a surgical pestle in FIG.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic side view of a surgical pestle in FIG.

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective schematic diagram of a delivery tube according to one embodiment;

[0023] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic top view of a delivery tube of ; and

[0024] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Schematic side view of the delivery tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages and details thereof are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific non-limiting examples, although indicating aspects of the present invention, are given only in an illustrative manner, rather than in a limiting manner. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and / or arrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the basic concepts of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, Figure 3 A schematic side view of a surgical tamper 10 is shown according to one embodiment. Figure 3The surgical tamper 10 in the embodiment includes a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. The proximal end 12 of the surgical tamper 10 has a proximal handle 16. The handle 16 can be any suitable shape with or without ergonomic features for performing surgical procedures, such as driving a bone screw allograft into a bone tunnel.

[0027] Still see Figure 3 , the surgical tamp 10 also includes an elongated shaft 18 extending distally from the handle 16. The elongated shaft 18 extends distally to a distal tip 20. The elongated shaft 18 is constructed of a flexible material (e.g., rigid stainless steel or reinforced plastic so as not to bend when struck). The elongated shaft 18 is hollow so that there is an internal passage 22 therein extending from the proximal end 12 (through the handle 16) to the distal tip 20. The elongated shaft 18 is flexible (as described above, depending on its composition) and is hollow to accommodate various types of guide pins within the internal passage 22. A flexible guide pin (not shown) or a rigid guide pin (not shown) can be inserted through the proximal end 12 of the surgical tamp 10, through the handle 16 and the elongated shaft 18, into the internal passage 22, and then out of the distal tip 20. A flexible guide pin can be used in a femoral tunnel, while a rigid guide pin can be used in a tibial tunnel (flexible and rigid as used in this sentence should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with reviewing this disclosure). The distal tip 20 may be rounded to impact a bone screw allograft or bone chip into a bone tunnel. In the depicted embodiment, the distal tip 20 is cylindrical and opaque.

[0028] Now go to Figure 4 , shows a schematic side view of a surgical tamper 10 according to an alternative embodiment. In the depicted embodiment, the elongated shaft 18 is constructed of a rigid material (e.g., stainless steel or the like, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art in conjunction with reviewing this disclosure). The rigid elongated shaft 18 includes a slot 24 extending from the distal end 20 to the handle 16, such as Figure 4 As shown. The slot 24 in the elongated shaft 18 extends into the interior passage 22 of the elongated shaft 18. The slot 24 allows a flexible guide pin (not shown) to exit the side 26 (or outer surface) of the elongated shaft 18. The ability of the flexible guide pin to exit the side 26 of the shaft 18 allows the axial impact of the surgical tamp 10 to be unimpeded by the guide pin. Due to the slot 24, the movement of the surgical tamp 10 has the ability to change the axis when impacting a bone nail or bone fragment into a bone tunnel (such as a femoral tunnel).

[0029] In addition, Figure 4As shown, the distal tip 20 of the surgical tamp 10 is transparent. The transparent distal tip 20 significantly increases visibility and allows the surgeon to see when a bone screw is located at the distal end 14 of the surgical tamp 10. In particular, the surgeon can see when a bone screw (not shown) is located at the distal hole 28 of the distal tip 20 (where the distal hole 28 is connected to the internal channel 22).

[0030] See now Figures 5 to 7 , shows a schematic diagram of various viewing angles of a surgical tamper 10 according to another embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, this alternative embodiment of the surgical tamper 10 does not include the handle 16 (eg, Figure 3 to Figure 4 Instead, the surgical tamper 10 has a proximal tip 30 (in addition to the distal tip 20). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The surgical tamper 10 is shown to include a hollow elongated shaft 18 extending between a distal tip 20 and a proximal tip 30. The distal tip 20 and the proximal tip 30 allow for striking at one or both of the ends 12, 14 of the surgical tamper 10.

[0031] like Figure 7 As shown, the elongated shaft 18 includes an internal passage 22 extending from a proximal end 30 to a distal end 20. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal end 30 and the distal end 20 are transparent so that the surgeon can see the bone nail at both the proximal end 12 and the distal end 14 of the surgical tamper 10. The distal end 20 includes a distal hole 28 extending therethrough and connected to the internal passage 22. The proximal end 30 also includes a proximal hole 32 extending therethrough and connected to the internal passage 22.

[0032] like Figure 6 As shown, the elongated shaft 18 also includes a pair of slots, namely a distal slot 24 extending from the central portion 36 of the elongated shaft 18 toward the distal end 20 and a proximal slot 38 extending from the central portion 36 of the elongated shaft 18 toward the proximal end 30. As used herein, the "central portion" can be any portion of the elongated shaft 18 between the distal slot 24 and the proximal slot 38. Both the distal slot 24 and the proximal slot 38 accommodate and allow for flexible guide pins (not shown). As described above, the slots 24, 38 in the elongated shaft 18 allow the movement of the surgical tamper 10 to change the axis when impacting the bone nails and bone fragments. Similarly, the flexible guide pin can leave the side 26 of the shaft 18 to allow the axial impact of the surgical tamper 10 to be unimpeded by the guide pin.

[0033] Now go to Figures 8 to 10 , showing schematic diagrams of various views of a delivery tube 100 according to one embodiment. A delivery tube 100 (such as Figure 8 delivery tube shown) and surgical pestle 10 ( Figures 3 to 7 The surgical tamper (in any of the embodiments shown) is used in conjunction with a bone screw allograft (not shown) to insert into the joint or to deliver a bone chip (not shown) directly into the bone tunnel. The bone screw allograft is generally composed of coarse cancellous bone. The rough texture of the bone screw makes it extremely difficult to pass through the surrounding soft tissue of the surgical site and enter the joint. The delivery tube 100 helps the insertion of the bone screw by providing a smooth path into the joint and protecting the surrounding soft tissue. In terms of bone chips, the delivery tube 100 provides a container for carrying bone chips through the joint directly into the bone tunnel so that a single bone chip will not fall into an undesirable position.

[0034] like Figure 8 As shown, the delivery tube 100 is preferably transparent so that the surgeon can see the bone screw (not shown) or bone fragment (not shown) therein. In one embodiment, the delivery tube 100 is processed from a piece of material. Preferably, the delivery tube 100 is composed of a smooth hard plastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic polymer, such as PETG). Figures 9 and 10 The delivery tube 100 is shown to include an elongated shaft 102 having an open proximal end 104 and an open distal end 106. The elongated shaft 102 has an internal passage 108 extending from the proximal end 104 to the distal end 106. In use, a bone nail or bone fragment is positioned within the internal passage 108 of the delivery tube 100, and a surgical tamper 10 (such as Figures 5 to 7 104 to impact a bone nail or bone fragment in a distal direction within the internal passage 108.

[0035] Still see Figures 9 and 10 , the delivery tube 100 includes a hole 110 (or window) extending through the delivery tube 100 into the interior passage 108. In the depicted embodiment, the hole 110 is located near the proximal end 104 of the elongated shaft 102. The hole 110 allows additional bone fragments (not shown) to be loaded into the interior passage 108 of the delivery tube 100 without removing the delivery tube 100 from the joint.

[0036] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the embodiment of the delivery tube 100 shown, the delivery tube 100 includes one or more indicators 112 along its outer surface 114. The indicators 112 provide a reference for depth. In the depicted embodiment, the indicators 112 are measuring scales with increments of 10 mm, but any suitable system for measuring depth can be used. When the bone fragment is inserted into the internal passage 108 of the delivery tube 100 (e.g., through the hole 110), the surgeon can estimate the extent to which the bone tunnel will be filled with the bone fragment.

[0037] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0038] Although various embodiments have been described and shown herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive of various other devices and / or structures for performing functions and / or obtaining results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the teachings of the present invention for one or more specific applications thereof. Using only routine experiments, those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the specific embodiments described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are given only by way of example, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, embodiments may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described and protected by the claims. The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, if these features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually contradictory, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms. It should also be understood that the terms "comprise" (and any form of "comprise", such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of "have", such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of "include", such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form of "contain", such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended copulas. Therefore, "including", "having", "including" or "containing" a method or device of one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a method step or an apparatus element that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0040] All means or steps in the following claims plus corresponding structures, materials, operations, and equivalents of functional elements, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or operation for performing a function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been given for the purpose of illustration and description, but the description is not exhaustive or limits the invention to the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments are selected and described in order to best explain the principles and practical applications of one or more aspects of the invention, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the invention for various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the specific purposes contemplated.

Claims

1. A surgical impact system, comprising: a surgical tamper having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated shaft extending therebetween including a central portion; a proximal tip positioned at the proximal end and a distal tip positioned at the distal end; an internal passage extending through the elongated shaft from the proximal end to the distal end; a proximal slot formed through an outer surface of the elongated shaft and into the interior passage and extending from a proximal end of the surgical tamper to a proximal end of the central portion; as well as A distal slot is formed through the outer surface of the elongated shaft and into the interior passage and extends from the distal end of the surgical tamper to the distal end of the central portion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal tip is transparent.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal tip comprises a distal aperture connected to the internal passage.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal tip is rounded.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a delivery tube having an open proximal end and an open distal end and an internal passage extending therebetween, wherein the surgical tamper is movable within the internal passage of the delivery tube.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal tip is cylindrical.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal tip has a diameter greater than a diameter of the elongated shaft.

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