Bone alignment implant and method of use
AssigneeMorphographics, LC
InventorsPeter M. Stevens, Daniel F. Justin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bone alignment implant includes a first bone fastener with a first bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone and a second bone fastener with a second bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the diaphyseal bone. A link connecting the two fasteners spans across the physis. These implants act as a flexible tethers between the metaphyseal and the diaphyseal sections of bone during bone growth. These implants are designed to adjust and deform during the bone realignment process. When placed on the convex side of the deformity, the implant allows the bone on the concave side of the deformity to grow. During the growth process the bone is then realigned. A similar procedure is used to correct torsional deformities.
Claims20
An bone alignment implant comprising:
- a first fastener with a first engager adapted for fixation with bone;
- a second fastener with a second engager adapted for fixation with bone;
- and a link connecting the first fastener to the second fastener;
- wherein the first engager is adapted to be connected to a metaphyseal section of bone;
- and the second engager is adapted to be connected to a diaphyseal section of bone;
- and the link, the first fastener, and the second fastener function together as a flexible tether between the metaphyseal section of bone and the diaphyseal section of bone.
A bone alignment implant system comprising:
- a first fastener with a first engager, a second fastener with a second engager, and a link joining the first fastener and the second fastener;
- a first joint between the first fastener and the link;
- a second joint between the second fastener and the link;
- wherein the first joint allows tilt between the first fastener and the link, and limits longitudinal displacement and axial displacement between the first fastener and the link;
- and the second joint allows tilt between the second fastener and the link, and limits longitudinal displacement and axial displacement between the second fastener and the link;
- wherein the bone alignment implant functions as a tether between the first bone engager and the second bone engager.
A bone alignment implant system comprising:
- a link having a first opening, a second opening and a guide opening between the first opening and the second opening;
- a first bone fastener comprising a first shaft having a first head at one end and a first engager projecting from an opposing end, the first engager being passable though the first opening, and the first head being precluded from passing through the first opening,
- a second bone fastener comprising a second engager, a second shaft and a second head, the second engager being passable through the second opening, and the second head being precluded from passing through the second opening, neither the first engager nor the second engager can pass though the guide opening.
An orthopedic bone alignment implant system comprising:
- a link having a first opening, a second opening, and a guide opening;
- a guide wire having a distal end and a periphery;
- a first fastener and a second fastener each having a shaft with a head at one end and an engager projecting from an opposing end;
- wherein the first and second openings in the link are dimensioned to allow the bone engager and the shaft to pass through the link,
- the size of the guide opening is dimensioned to allow the distal end and periphery to slidably pass through the link, the size of the guide opening is further dimensioned to restrict the first fastener and the second fastener from slidably passing through the link,
- the openings are positioned such that the guide opening is positioned between the first opening and second opening.
A method of implanting a bone alignment comprising:
- making an incision near a physis of a bone,
- locating the physis with a guide wire by placing the guide wire through the incision and manipulating the guide wire until the guide wire penetrates the physis,
- using the guide wire to guide a bone alignment implant to the physis,
- fixing a first bone engager of the bone alignment implant to a metaphyseal section of bone,
- fixing a second bone engager of the bone alignment implant to a diaphyseal section of bone,
- removing the guide wire from the incision.
A method of correcting the alignment of bone comprising;
- implanting a bone alignment implant across a physis on a convex side of an angular deformity with a first bone engager attached to a metaphyseal section of bone and a second bone engager attached to a diaphyseal section of bone;
- allowing the physis to generate new physeal tissue between the metaphyseal and diaphyseal sections of bone;
- tethering the diaphyseal section of bone and the metaphyseal section of bone on the convex side of the angular deformity with the bone alignment implant,
- allowing the physis to generate more physeal tissue on the concave side of the angular deformity than on a convex side of the angular deformity such that the angular deformity is reduced as the physeal tissue is generated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.