# US 10,245,093 B2 · Zygomatic elevator device and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,093 B2 - Document ID: US10245093B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/582,279 - Filed: 2011-03-04 - Published: 2012-12-27 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-05 - Assignees: University of Massachusetts - Applicants: Raymond M. Dunn - Inventors: Raymond M. Dunn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245093B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/8866: {for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators (joint distractors A61B17/025)} - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/025: {Joint distractors} - A61B 17/885: {Tools for expanding or compacting bones or discs or cavities therein (A61B17/8805, A61B17/7097 take precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical elevator device that can be used in the reduction of bone fractures, particularly facial bone fractures, and even more particularly zygomatic arch fractures. The elevator device enables accurate measurement of the depth of insertion of the device into tissue space and provides tactile control of fracture location and reduction. In one embodiment, the elevator device comprises a groove on an elevator element for receiving a bone structure. The groove can be formed by a pair of parallel ridges. A projection extending from the elevator provides a pivot point for applying a controlled force to the bone to reduce the fracture. A preferred embodiment further comprises a method of reducing a bone fracture, such as a zygomatic arch fracture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical zygomatic elevator device, comprising: an elevator element having a distal end, a proximal end, an upper surface between the distal end and the proximal end having a length between about 40 mm and 60 mm and a first axis extending longitudinally through the elevator element, the elevator element having a size for insertion through a surgical incision; a handle sized to manually grasp the elevator device, the handle being positioned at the proximal end of the elevator element, the handle having a second axis that extends longitudinally through the handle, the handle being positioned at an oblique angle extending above the first axis of the elevator element; a groove configured to receive a zygomatic bone structure of a patient, the groove being located on the upper surface of the elevator element and having at least one ridge spaced from the distal end of the elevator element; and a projection extending between about 8 mm and 15 mm from a bottom surface of the elevator element, the projection being positioned at a proximal portion of the elevator element that is spaced apart from the groove, the projection being configured to contact an anatomical structure to provide a pivot point such that the elevator element can impart a controlled force in a first direction on the zygomatic bone structure that is positionable within the groove and the projection imparts a second force to the anatomical structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the at least one ridge further comprises a pair of parallel ridges on the upper surface of the elevator element, a gap between the parallel ridges forming the groove. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical elevator device of claim 2, wherein the gap is configured to receive a zygomatic arch structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface comprises a flat plane and a depressed surface region of the elevator element that forms the groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the projection has a substantially rectilinear cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the projection has a substantially curved cross-section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, further comprising markings on the elevator element to indicate a depth of insertion of the elevator device into a mammalian subject. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the elevator element has a width of between about 10 and 15 mm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the groove is less than about 10 mm from a tip of the elevator element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the first axis has an angle of at least 20 degrees with respect to the second axis extending through the handle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the elevator element includes a rough surface region over at least the distal end of the elevator element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surgical elevator device of claim 11, wherein the rough surface region comprises serrations. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the device is insertable into a mammalian body, and the controlled force comprises a lateral outward force for reducing a zygomatic bone fracture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the projection extends from the bottom surface at the proximal end of the elevator element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the elevator device is an extraoral surgical device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical elevator device of claim 15, wherein the projection is configured to be placed against an extraoral anatomic feature of a patient to provide a fulcrum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surgical elevator device of claim 16, wherein the extraoral anatomic feature comprises an orbital region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the projection is placed to press against a temporal bone. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The surgical elevator device of claim 1, wherein the handle extends at an angle relative to the elevator element, and in a direction opposite the direction of the projection relative to a plane of the upper surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the projection is positioned at the proximal end of the elevator element such that the projection is placed to press against a temporal bone. ### Claim 21 A zygomatic elevator device, comprising: an elevator element having a distal end, a proximal end, an upper surface between the distal end and the proximal end having a length between about 40 mm and 60 mm and a first axis extending through the elevator element; a handle sized to manually grasp the elevator device, the handle being positioned at the proximal end of the elevator element, the handle having a second axis positioned at an oblique angle extending above the upper surface of the elevator element; a groove configured to receive a zygomatic bone structure, the groove being located on the upper surface of the elevator element, and having at least one ridge spaced from the distal end of the elevator element by a predetermined distance; a projection extending between about 8 mm and 15 mm from a bottom surface of the elevator element, the projection being proximal to, and spaced from, the groove, wherein the projection is positioned at a proximal portion of the elevator element and configured to contact an anatomical structure that is separated from the groove by a distance to provide a pivot point such that the elevator element can impart a force on the zygomatic bone structure that is positionable within the groove while the projection imparts a second force to the anatomical structure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The device of claim 21 further comprising a second ridge parallel to the at least one ridge, wherein a gap between the at least one ridge and the second ridge forms the groove to receive the zygomatic bone structure.