# US 12,213,703 B2 · Three dimensional distractors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,213,703 B2 - Document ID: US12213703B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/678,727 - Filed: 2022-02-23 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-23 - Assignees: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. - Applicants: Depuy Synthes Products, Inc. - Inventors: Emma Phillips; John Noon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213703B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/8019: {where the means are a separate tool rather than being part of the plate} - A61B 17/64: Devices extending alongside the bones to be positioned - A61B 17/66: {Alignment}, compression or distraction mechanisms - A61B 90/03: {Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety} - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - A61B 17/663: {for jaw bones, e.g. subcutaneous distractors with external access (periodontal bone regeneration A61C8/0006)} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/681: {Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms} - A61B 2090/035: {preventing further rotation} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract A helical distractor, including: a distractor body having an open tubular shape including: a fixed footplate attached to a first end of the distractor body; first and second body edges; first and second key grooves in the first and second body edges, respectively; and an end cap at a second end of the distractor body; a movable foot including: body threads; a first key configured to engage the first key groove; a second key configured to engage the second key groove; and a movable footplate; an advancement screw with a threaded portion inside the distraction body, wherein the threaded portion is configured to engage the body threads of the movable foot, wherein the movable foot moves along the distractor body when the advancement screw is rotated, and wherein the distractor body is configured to cause the movable foot to rotate as it moves along the distractor body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A helical distractor, comprising: a distractor body having an open tubular shape including: a fixed footplate attached to a first end of the distractor body; first and second body edges; first and second key grooves in the first and second body edges, respectively; and an end cap at a second end of the distractor body; a movable foot including: body threads; a first key configured to engage the first key groove; a second key configured to engage the second key groove; and a movable footplate; an advancement screw with a threaded portion inside the distraction body, wherein the threaded portion is configured to engage the body threads of the movable foot, wherein the movable foot moves along the distractor body when the advancement screw is rotated, and wherein the distractor body is configured to cause the movable foot to rotate as it moves along the distractor body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the distractor is manufactured to have a shape configured to provide a specified treatment plan. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the distractor is manufactured so that the movable foot moves with a specified translation along the advancement screw and rotation about the advancement screw relative to the fixed footplate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the fixed footplate is manufactured with a shape to conform to a shape of a specific bone to be distracted. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The helical distractor of claim 4, wherein a fixed foot is configured to be attached to the fixed footplate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the movable footplate is manufactured with a shape to conform to a shape of a specific bone to be distracted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the end cap is configured to limit rotation of the advancement screw in one direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the distractor body and the movable foot are manufactured using three dimensional printing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The helical distractor of claim 1, wherein the first and second key grooves have a helical shape. ### Claim 10 A three-dimensional (3D) distractor, comprising: a distractor body having an open tubular shape including: a fixed footplate attached to a first end of the distractor body; first and second body edges; first and second key grooves in the first and second body edges, respectively; and internal teeth on an interior surface of the distractor body; a movable foot including: an advancement gear configured to engage the internal teeth and to move the movable foot along the distractor body when the advancement gear rotates about a first axis of rotation; a drive mechanism configured to rotate the advancement gear about the first axis of rotation, wherein the drive mechanism transfers a drive rotation along a second axis of rotation to the first axis of rotation; a first key configured to engage the first key groove; a second key configured to engage the second key groove; and a movable footplate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the distractor is manufactured to have a shape configured to provide a specified treatment plan. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the distractor is manufactured so that the movable foot moves with a specified translation and a specified rotation relative to the fixed footplate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the fixed footplate is manufactured with a shape to conform to a shape of a specific bone to be distracted. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The 3D distractor of claim 13, wherein a fixed foot is configured to be attached to the fixed footplate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the movable footplate is manufactured with a shape to conform to a shape of a specific bone to be distracted. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein distractor body and the movable foot are manufactured using three dimensional printing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, further comprising a flexible extension arm configured to engage the drive mechanism and to provide the drive rotation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the distractor body includes a body slot on the interior surface of the distractor body configured to accommodate the drive mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the drive mechanism comprises: a first gear rotationally coupled to the advancement gear and configured to rotate about the first axis; and a second gear coupled to the first gear configured to rotate about the second axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The 3D distractor of claim 10, wherein the movable foot includes a first extension arm and a second extension arm, wherein the advancement gear is in between and supported by the first extension arm and the second extension arm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The 3D distractor of claim 20, wherein the drive mechanism is connected to the first extension arm.