Drill guide assembly

Abstract

To provide a drill guide for controlling a first metacarpal while maintaining a proper trajectory of a drill.SOLUTION: A drill guide 10 includes a guide rail 18 having an elongated shaft and a guide body 16 with an aperture 60 penetrating therethrough. The aperture is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The drill guide also includes a distal ring connected to the elongated shaft. A spike and a hook are both attached to the distal ring and extend therefrom. The hook and the spike extend from opposing positions along the distal ring. A trigger end 34 of the guide body has a trigger that, when actuated, allows the guide body to slide along the guide rail in a proximal direction. A drilling end of the guide body has a rotatable drill bullet extending distally therefrom. The drill bullet includes a pair of arms covered with teeth to engage the first metacarpal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 744,686, filed on October 12, 2018, entitled "CMC Drill Guide".

[0002] Field of the invention The present invention generally relates to surgical systems and, more specifically, to drill guides that maintain a specific positioning of the thumb bone while maintaining an appropriate trajectory of a drill / drill bit.

Background Art

[0003] Description of the related art The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is located at the base of the thumb and plays a role in providing a wide range of movement to the thumb. CMC suspension is a procedure for repairing damage to the CMC joint. During the CMC suspension procedure, the surgeon drills through the base of the first metacarpal bone and the proximal end of the second metacarpal bone with a drill. By using a drill guide, the surgeon can drill through both the first and second metacarpal bones in one step. However, the first metacarpal bone is loose because the trapezoid is removed before drilling, which makes the drilling process at the desired position difficult. Furthermore, accuracy is important when drilling smaller bones such as the first metacarpal bone.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus configured to control the first metacarpal bone while maintaining an appropriate trajectory of a drill / drill bit.

[0005] Disclaimer for the section on the description of related art: As long as a particular patent / publication / product is discussed in this section on the description of related art or elsewhere in this disclosure, such discussion should not be construed as an admission that the patent / publication / product being discussed is prior art for the purposes of patent law. For example, some or all of the patents / publications / products being discussed may not be early enough and may not reflect a subject matter developed early enough and / or may not be sufficiently enabling to qualify as prior art for the purposes of patent law. As long as a particular patent / publication / product is discussed in this section on the description of related art and / or throughout the application, the description / disclosure thereof in its entirety is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a drill guide for controlling a first intermediate bone while maintaining an appropriate trajectory of a drill / drill bit. According to one aspect, the present invention is a drill guide. The drill guide includes a guide rail having an elongated shaft and a guide body having an opening therethrough. The opening is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The guide body of the drill guide also includes a trigger end. The trigger end has a locking mechanism movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the guide body is slidable proximally along the guide rail.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the drill guide includes a guide rail having an elongated shaft and a guide body having an opening therethrough. The opening is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The guide body also includes a drill end having an opening creating an internal volume therethrough. The internal volume is configured to receive a drill bur (configured to fit therein a drill bit). The drill bur is rotatable within the internal volume of the drill end of the guide body.

[0008] ​According to a further embodiment, the drill guide includes a guide rail having an elongated shaft extending along a first central longitudinal axis and a guide body having an opening therethrough. The opening is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The drill guide also includes a distal ring connected to the elongated shaft. The spikes are attached to and extend from the distal ring. The hook is also attached to the distal ring. The hook extends from the ring such that the hook and the spikes extend from opposed positions along the distal ring.

[0009] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] One or more aspects of the invention are specifically pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples at the end of this specification in the claims. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 8

[0012] Aspects of the present invention and its specific features, advantages, and details are described more fully below with reference to non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the details of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific non-limiting examples, while illustrating 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 underlying inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0013] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout, Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective schematic view of a drill guide 10, according to one embodiment. Drill guide 10 includes a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. At the proximal end 12, drill guide 10 includes a guide body 16. Guide body 16 is configured to slide along a guide rail 18 that extends to the distal end 14.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 18 extends toward the proximal end 12 of the drill guide 10. The guide rail 18 has an elongated shaft 20 extending in a central longitudinal direction y 1 -y 1 The guide rail 18 includes a plurality of ridges 22 extending along at least a portion of a surface 24 of the guide rail 18. The guide rail 18 may have a distal ring 26 connected to the elongate shaft 20. The distal ring 26 has a hook 28 extending therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook 28 is curved distally (but may be curved proximally) and extends substantially along the transverse xx-axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring 26 is substantially planar along the transverse xx-axis.

[0015] Referring further to FIG. 1, the guide rail 18 further includes spikes 30 extending from the ring 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the spikes 30 extend substantially along the transverse x-x axis. As shown in FIG. 1, the spikes 30 extend from the ring 26 in a direction opposite to the hook 28 (however, they may extend in the same direction as the hook 28). In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse x-x axis is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal y 1 -y 1 axis. FIG. 1 also shows that the spike 30 includes a sharp tip 32 extending in the proximal direction.

[0016] At the proximal end 12 of the drill guide 10, the guide body 16 includes a trigger end 34 and a drill end 36. The drill end 36 of the guide body 16 includes an opening 38 that defines an internal volume 40 extending from the proximal surface 42 of the guide body 16 to the distal surface 44 of the guide body 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal volume 40 extends substantially parallel to the central longitudinal y 1 -y 1 axis along the central longitudinal y 2 -y 2 axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the sharp tip 32 of the spike 30 also extends along the central longitudinal y 2 -y 2 axis such that the sharp tip 32 is substantially aligned with the opening 38 and / or the internal volume 40 of the drill end 36 of the guide body 16.

[0017] The internal volume 40 of the drill end 36 of the guide body 16 is configured to receive a drill bur 46. The drill bur 46 includes a shaft 48 extending proximally along the central longitudinal y 2 -y 2 axis and a pair of arms 50 extending distally from the shaft 48. The drill end 36 of the guide body 16 may also include a locking mechanism 52 for maintaining the drill bur 46 in a desired position. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 52 includes a slug 54 (e.g., a post) and a spring 56, as will be described in detail below.

[0018] Referring further to FIG. 1, the trigger end 34 of the guide body 16 includes a trigger 58 having an opening 60 therethrough configured to slidably receive the guide rail 18. The trigger 58 is connected to a locking mechanism 62 for locking the position of the guide body 16 along the guide rail 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 62 includes a spring 65 that maintains pressure on the trigger 58 and a trigger pin 64 that allows the trigger 58 to toggle between an unlocked position and a locked position, as will be described in detail below. As shown, the locking mechanism 62 is maintained within the guide body 16 by a cover plate 66.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, various schematic views of the trigger end 34 (with the cover plate 66 removed) of the guide body 16 are shown, according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the drill guide 10 in the locked position. As described above, the trigger end 34 of the guide body 16 includes a trigger 58 having an opening 60 configured to receive the guide rail 18 therethrough. In the locked position, the locking mechanism 62 is biased such that the trigger 58 is spaced from (or at least not positively engaged with) the spring 65 of the locking mechanism 62.

[0020] In the locked position (FIGS. 2-3), the guide body 16 can slide distally along the guide rail 18. However, the guide body 16 cannot slide proximally. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ridges 22 extending along the surface 24 of the guide rail 18 prevent the trigger 58 (and consequently the guide body 16) from moving proximally when the trigger 58 is in the locked position. As shown in FIG. 3, in its relaxed natural (locked) position, the trigger 58 engages the ridges 22 when the guide body 16 is pulled / pushed proximally along the guide rail 18. As shown in FIG. 3, when the trigger 58 is in the locked position, the trigger 58 (and consequently the guide body 16) is prevented from moving proximally by the plurality of ridges 22 extending along the surface 24 of the guide rail 18. In its relaxed natural (locked) position, as shown in FIG. 3, the trigger 58 engages the ridges 22 when the guide body 16 is pulled / pushed proximally along the guide rail 18.

[0021] Figure 4 shows a side view of the proximal end 12 of the drill guide 10 in the unlocked position (with the cover plate 66 removed). To move the drill guide 10 from the locked position (Figs. 2-3) to the unlocked position (Fig. 4), pressure is applied to the trigger 58. When the surgeon pulls the trigger 58, the trigger 58 rotates away from the plurality of ridges 22 and against the spring 65 of the locking mechanism 62. When the trigger 58 disengages from the ridges 22, the guide body 16 can be pulled / moved proximally without engaging the ridges 22. Thus, in the unlocked position, the guide body 16 can slide proximally and distally along the guide rail 18, and in the locked position, the guide body 16 can slide only distally along the guide rail 18.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, various schematic views of the drill end 36 of the guide body 16 are shown. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of the arm 50 of the drill bullet 46. As described above, the pair of arms 50 can be connected to and extend from the shaft 48 of the drill bullet 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 50 curves towards the central longitudinal axis y 2 -y 2 to raise the first metacarpal bone. The embodiment of FIG. 5 may also include a plurality of teeth 68 (or ridges) along the inner surface 70 of the arm 50. The base of the first metacarpal bone is placed on the teeth 68 when the patient's hand is in the desired position within the drill guide 10. Since the first metacarpal bone is typically loose within the joint after trapezium removal, the arm 50 and teeth 68 can be important for supporting and maintaining the position of the first metacarpal bone. The distal end 49 of the shaft 48 may also include a plurality of spaced, sharp tips 51 extending distally therefrom. The sharp tips 51 are used for additional support in maintaining the position of the first metacarpal bone.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged side view of the locking mechanism 52 of the drill end 36 of the guide body 16. As shown in FIG. 6, the channel 72 extends through the surface 74 of the drill end 36 and into the guide body 16. The spring 56 and the slug 54 are within the channel 72, and the slug 54 extends at least partially into the internal volume 40 of the drill end 36 of the guide body 16. In the internal volume 40, the slug 54 engages the shaft 48 of the drill bullet 46. The proximal end 76 of the shaft 48 includes a plurality of grooves 78. The grooves 78 extend circumferentially around the shaft 48.

[0024] Referring further to FIG. 6, the tip 80 of the slug 54 extends into one of the plurality of grooves 78 at a time. The spring 56 is biased to apply a force sufficient to maintain the tip 80 of the slug 54 in one of the plurality of grooves 78. The force applied by the spring 56 does not completely prevent the rotation of the drill bullet 46 within the internal volume 40. In use, the surgeon can rotate the drill bullet 46 such that the arm 50 is in the desired position at the base of the thumb. The drill bullet 46 is automatically maintained in the desired position when the tip 80 of the slug 54 moves into another groove of the plurality of grooves 78 as the drill bullet 46 rotates. This saves time because there is no step that the surgeon needs to achieve before rotating the drill bullet 46 and no step to lock it in place after reaching the desired position.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 7, a schematic side view of the drill guide 10 in the locked position, according to one embodiment, is shown. The drill guide 10 can be operated with one hand. The surgeon positions the sharp tip 32 of the spike 30 at the desired drill position on the second metacarpal bone (with the viewing of this disclosure and (which should also be understood by those skilled in the art). Specifically, the sharp tip 32 is placed on the bone where the surgeon desires a drill (not shown) having a drill bit to exit. Next, the surgeon holds the ring 26 and the hook 28 of the drill guide 10 with the fingers, places the thumb on the trigger 58, and squeezes the hand, firmly pressing the arm 50 of the drill cannula 46 against the base of the patient's thumb (assuming the base of the thumb is the desired starting position of the drill hole). Then, by releasing the pressure on the trigger 58, the drill guide 10 is automatically locked in place and maintains the pressure applied by the surgeon.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 8, a side schematic view of the drill guide 10 in the unlocked position, according to one embodiment, is shown. After tunneling through the first and second metacarpal bones, the drill guide 10 is removed by first grasping the trigger 58 and then pulling the sliding guide body 16 proximally away from the bone. Then, while still grasping the trigger 58, the guide body 16 can be withdrawn from the guide rail 18. Once the guide body 16 is removed, the guide rail 18 can be easily removed from its position on the patient's hand.

[0027] All definitions defined and used in this specification are to be understood to control the dictionary definitions, definitions in incorporated by reference documents, and / or the ordinary meaning of the defined terms.

[0028] Although various embodiments have been described and illustrated in this specification, those skilled in the art will readily envision various other means and / or structures for performing the functions described herein and / or for obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages, and each such variation and / or modification is to be regarded as 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 that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations depend on one or more specific applications for which the teachings are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the individual features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is included within the scope of the present disclosure if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

[0029] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 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 further understood to be open-ended conjunctive verbs. As a result, a method or device "comprises", "has", "includes", or "contains" one or more steps or elements. Similarly, a step of a method or an element of a device that "comprises", "has", "includes", or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Further, a device or structure configured in a particular way is at least configured in that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed. ses", "has", "includes", or "contains" one or more features of a method step or device element, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Further, a device or structure configured in a particular way is at least configured in that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0030] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps in the following claims, when elements with functional features are added thereto, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing a function, if any, in combination with elements of other claims that are specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Embodiments are 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 one or more aspects with various modifications that are suited to the particular uses contemplated.

Claims

**Claim 1** A drill guide, comprising: A guide rail having an elongated shaft; A guide body having a first opening configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail; A drill bit including a shaft connected to a pair of arms extending in a distal direction; A drill end of the guide body having a second opening that defines an internal volume passing through the drill end, the internal volume being configured to receive the drill bit therein; And The drill bit is rotatable within the internal volume of the drill end of the guide body. **Claim 2** The drill guide according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially around the drill bit. **Claim 3** The drill guide according to claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism within the drill end of the guide body configured to stop rotation of the drill bit. **Claim 4** The drill guide according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism includes a slug biased by a spring such that at least a portion of the slug is in one of the plurality of grooves. **Claim 5** The drill guide according to claim 1, wherein the pair of arms is curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. **Claim 6** The drill guide according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of teeth along at least one inner surface of the arm. **Claim 7** The drill guide according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the drill bit includes a plurality of spaced-apart sharp tips extending in a distal direction.

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