Ligament revision system

Abstract

The invention discloses a ligament rebuilding system. A surgical strike system includes a surgical ram having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongate shaft extending therebetween. The surgical ram has an internal channel extending therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. The distal end of the surgical ram may have a distal tip. The surgical ram may have a handle at the proximal end or a proximal tip at the proximal end. The surgical ram may also have one or more slots that extend through an outer surface of the elongate shaft and into the internal channel. The surgical ram may be configured for insertion into a delivery tube. The delivery tube is used for the purpose of accommodating a bone nail or a bone sheet therein for smooth insertion into a joint.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with the filing date of June 13, 2019, application number 201980048589.3 (international application number PCT / US2019 / 036951), and invention title "Ligament Revision System".

[0002] Cross - reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 689,391, filed on June 25, 2018, with the title "Ligament Revision System". Background Art 1. Technical Field

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

[0005] 2. Description of Related Technologies

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

[0007] Conventional bone plugs are hollow to engage with a guide pin that helps guide the bone plug through the joint into the tunnel. When the bone plug is placed on the guide pin, there is no hollow ram or impacting device to insert the bone plug into the tunnel. The surgeon will use the available device 1 to impact the edge of the bone plug 2, as Figure 1 shown, or remove the guide pin and insert the bone plug 2 without a guide, as Figure 2 shown. These conventional bone plugs cause several problems / difficulties, including that the edges of the bone plug allograft may break and fragment during insertion, or the bone plug allograft may break and fragment during insertion without a guide. Additionally, without a guide, the bone plug allograft cannot be properly oriented to be inserted into the tunnel. Another problem is that some surgeons struggle to insert the bone plug 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 plugs and bone chips into bone tunnels without the aforementioned related difficulties / problems.

[0009] Disclaimer description for the related art section: With respect to the specific patents / published works / products described in the related art section above or elsewhere in this disclosure, these discussions should not be construed as an admission that the patents / published works / products discussed are prior art for the purposes of patent law. For example, some or all of the patents / published works / products discussed may not be early enough in time, may not reflect subject matter that has developed early enough in time, and / or may not be sufficient to constitute prior art for the purposes of patent law. With respect to the specific patents / published works / products described in the related art section above and / or discussed throughout the application, their descriptions / disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a surgical impact system, comprising:

[0011] A surgical ram having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated shaft extending therebetween;

[0012] A handle positioned at the proximal end and a distal tip positioned at the distal end;

[0013] An internal passage extending from the proximal end through the elongated shaft to the distal end, the internal passage configured to receive a guide pin; and

[0014] A slot formed through an outer surface of the elongated shaft,

[0015] wherein the slot extends from the distal tip to the handle and allows the guide pin to exit the side of the internal passage such that axial impact of the surgical ram is not impeded by the guide pin.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and systems for inserting and impacting bone nails and bone fragments into bone tunnels.

[0017] Also described is a surgical impact system. The system includes a surgical ram having a proximal end, 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 further has an internal passage that extends at least partially from the proximal end through the elongated shaft to the distal end.

[0018] Also described is a surgical impact system, the system comprising: a surgical ram having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated shaft extending therebetween; a proximal tip positioned at the proximal end and a distal tip positioned at the distal end; an internal passage extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and a proximal slot extending through the outer surface of the elongated shaft between a central portion of the elongated shaft and the proximal tip.

[0019] Also described is a system. The system includes a surgical ram having a proximal end, 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 further has an internal passage extending at least partially through the elongated shaft from the proximal end to the distal end.

[0020] Also described is a method for inserting an object into a bone tunnel, comprising the steps of:

[0021] Providing a surgical ram including a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated shaft extending therebetween, a distal tip positioned at the distal end, an internal passage extending from the proximal end through the elongated shaft to the distal end; and a slot formed through the outer surface of the elongated shaft,

[0022] Inserting an object into the internal passage at the proximal end of the surgical ram; and

[0023] Advancing the object within the internal passage to the distal tip of the surgical ram.

[0024] According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a method for inserting an object into a bone tunnel. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing a surgical ram having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated shaft extending therebetween, a cylindrical distal tip at the distal end, and an internal passage extending at least partially through the elongated shaft from the proximal end to the distal end; (ii) inserting an object into the internal passage at the proximal end of the surgical ram; and (iii) advancing the object within the internal passage to the distal tip of the surgical ram.

[0025] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] One or more aspects of the present invention are specifically pointed out and clearly claimed in the claims at the conclusion 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:

[0027] Figure 1 is an image of a device for impacting a bone nail;

[0028] Figure 2 is an image of a bone nail inserted into a bone tunnel without a guide pin;

[0029] Figure 3 is a side schematic view of a surgical mallet according to one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 is a side schematic view of a surgical mallet according to an alternative embodiment;

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective schematic view of a surgical mallet according to another embodiment;

[0032] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a top view schematic of the surgical mallet in;

[0033] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a side view schematic of the surgical mallet in;

[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective schematic view of a delivery tube according to one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a top view schematic of the delivery tube of; and

[0036] Figure 10 is Figure 9 a side view schematic of the delivery tube of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The aspects of the present invention and certain of its features, advantages, and details are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-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 the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or arrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the basic concepts of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0038] Now referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals always refer to like parts, Figure 3A side view schematic diagram of a surgical mallet 10 according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 3 The surgical mallet 10 in Figure 3 includes a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. The proximal end 12 of the surgical mallet 10 has a proximal handle 16. The handle 16 can be of any suitable shape with or without ergonomic features for performing a surgical procedure, such as driving a bone nail allograft into a bone tunnel.

[0039] Still referring to Figure 3 , the surgical mallet 10 further 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 composed of a flexible material (e.g., rigid stainless steel or reinforced plastic so as not to bend upon impact). The elongated shaft 18 is hollow such that there is an internal channel 22 therein, which extends 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 hollow to accommodate various types of guide pins within the internal channel 22. A flexible guide pin (not shown) or a rigid guide pin (not shown) can pass through the proximal end 12 of the surgical mallet 10, through the handle 16 and the elongated shaft 18 and be inserted into the internal channel 22, and then exit from the distal tip 20. The flexible guide pin can be used for a femoral tunnel, while the rigid guide pin can be used for a tibial tunnel (where the terms flexible and rigid as used in this sentence should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of the present disclosure). The distal tip 20 can be rounded to impact a bone nail allograft or a bone chip into a bone tunnel. In the depicted embodiment, the distal tip 20 is cylindrical and opaque.

[0040] Now turning to Figure 4 , a side view schematic diagram of a surgical mallet 10 according to an alternative embodiment is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the elongated shaft 18 is composed of a rigid material (e.g., stainless steel or a similar material as should be understood by those of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of the present disclosure). The rigid elongated shaft 18 includes a slot 24 extending from the distal tip 20 to the handle 16, as Figure 4 shown. The slot 24 in the elongated shaft 18 extends into the internal channel 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 mallet 10 to be unimpeded by the guide pin. Due to the slot 24, the movement of the surgical mallet 10 has the ability to change the axis when impacting a bone nail or a bone chip into a bone tunnel (such as a femoral tunnel).

[0041] Additionally, as Figure 4As shown, the distal end 20 of the surgical mallet 10 is transparent. The transparent distal end 20 significantly increases visibility and allows the surgeon to see when a bone nail is located at the distal end 14 of the surgical mallet 10. Specifically, the surgeon can see when a bone nail (not shown) is located at the distal hole 28 of the distal end 20 (where the distal hole 28 is connected to the internal channel 22).

[0042] Now refer to Figures 5 to 7 , a schematic diagram showing various perspectives of the surgical mallet 10 according to another embodiment is shown. As Figure 5 shown, this alternative embodiment of the surgical mallet 10 does not include a handle 16 (as Figures 3 to 4 shown). Instead, the surgical mallet 10 has a proximal end 30 (in addition to the distal end 20). Figure 6 and Figure 7 show that the surgical mallet 10 includes a hollow elongated shaft 18 extending between the distal end 20 and the proximal end 30. The distal end 20 and the proximal end 30 allow impact at one or both of the ends 12, 14 of the surgical mallet 10.

[0043] As Figure 7 shown, the elongated shaft 18 includes an internal channel 22 extending from the proximal end 30 to the 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 mallet 10. The distal end 20 includes a distal hole 28 extending therethrough and connected to the internal channel 22. The proximal end 30 also includes a proximal hole 32 extending therethrough and connected to the internal channel 22.

[0044] As Figure 6 shown, the elongated shaft 18 further includes a pair of slots, namely a distal slot 24 extending from the central portion 36 of the elongated shaft 18 towards the distal end 20 and a proximal slot 38 extending from the central portion 36 of the elongated shaft 18 towards 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 a flexible guide pin (not shown). As described above, the slots 24, 38 in the elongated shaft 18 allow the movement of the surgical mallet 10 to change the axis when impacting the bone nail 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 mallet 10 to be unobstructed by the guide pin.

[0045] Now turn to Figures 8 to 10 , a schematic diagram showing various perspectives of a delivery tube 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The delivery tube 100 (such as Figure 8 the delivery tube shown) is associated with the surgical mallet 10(Figures 3 to 7 In any of the embodiments shown, the surgical rammer) is combined with a bone nail allograft (not shown) for insertion into a joint or for directly delivering bone chips (not shown) into a bone tunnel. The bone nail allograft is generally composed of cancellous bone. The rough texture of the bone nail makes it extremely difficult to pass through the surrounding soft tissue at the surgical site and into the joint. The delivery tube 100 helps with the insertion of the bone nail by providing a smooth path into the joint and protecting the surrounding soft tissue. In the case of bone chips, the delivery tube 100 provides a container for carrying the bone chips through the joint and directly into the bone tunnel, such that individual bone chips do not fall into an undesired position.

[0046] As Figure 8 shown, the delivery tube 100 is preferably transparent so that the surgeon can see the bone nail (not shown) or bone chips (not shown) therein. In one embodiment, the delivery tube 100 is machined from a single piece of material. Preferably, the delivery tube 100 is composed of a smooth, rigid plastic material (such as a thermoplastic polymer, such as PETG). Figures 9 to 10 Shown is that the delivery tube 100 includes an elongate shaft 102 having an open proximal end 104 and an open distal end 106. The elongate shaft 102 has an internal channel 108 extending from the proximal end 104 to the distal end 106. In use, the bone nail or bone chips are located within the internal channel 108 of the delivery tube 100, and a surgical rammer 10 (such as Figures 5 to 7 shown) is inserted into the open proximal end 104 of the delivery tube 100 to impact the bone nail or bone chips in the distal direction within the internal channel 108.

[0047] Still referring to Figures 9 to 10 , the delivery tube 100 includes a hole 110 (or window) that extends through the delivery tube 100 into the internal channel 108. In the depicted embodiment, the hole 1s0 is located near the proximal end 104 of the elongate shaft 102. The hole 110 allows additional bone chips (not shown) to be loaded into the internal channel 108 of the delivery tube 100 without removing the delivery tube 100 from the joint.

[0048] In Figure 8 and Figure 9 the depicted 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 measurement scales with an increment of 10 mm, but any suitable system for measuring depth may be used. When bone chips are inserted into the internal channel 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 chips.

[0049] All definitions defined and used herein shall be understood to prevail over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or the ordinary meaning of the defined terms.

[0050] Although various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive of various other devices and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the 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, those skilled in the art will readily understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the one or more specific applications for which the teachings of the present invention are used. Using only routine experimentation, those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain many equivalent forms of the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only, and that the embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to each and every individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. Additionally, 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 if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

[0051] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include the 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 linking verbs. Thus, a method or apparatus that "comprises", "has", "includes" or "contains" one or more steps or elements. Similarly, a step of a method or an element of an apparatus 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. In addition, an apparatus or structure constructed in a certain way is at least constructed in that way, but may also be constructed in ways not listed.

[0052] All apparatus or steps in the following claims, plus the corresponding structures, materials, operations and equivalents of the functional elements, if any, are intended to include any structure, material or operation for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit 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 were chosen 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 the invention for various embodiments with various modifications suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A surgical impact system, comprising: A surgical ram having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongate shaft extending therebetween; A handle positioned at the proximal end and a distal tip positioned at the distal end; An internal passage extending from the proximal end through the elongate shaft to the distal end, the internal passage configured to receive a guide pin; and A slot formed through the outer surface of the elongate shaft, Wherein the slot extends from the distal tip to the handle and allows the guide pin to exit the side of the internal passage such that axial impact of the surgical ram is not impeded by the guide pin.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the slot extends through the outer surface and into the internal passage.

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

4. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal tip includes a distal hole connected to the internal passage.

5. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal tip is circular.

6. The system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a delivery tube having an open proximal end and an open distal end and an internal passage extending therebetween, wherein the surgical ram is movable within the internal passage of the delivery tube.

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

8. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal tip has a diameter greater than the diameter of the elongate shaft.

Images