Method and Apparatus for Force Redistribution in Articular Joints
AssigneeThe Foundry, LLC
InventorsVivek Shenoy, Mark Deem, Hanson S. Gifford, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Pathologies of joints arising from improper force distributions are addressed by displacement of targeted connective and muscle tissues surrounding the joint in order to realign force vectors and alter moment arms loading the joint.
Claims168
An apparatus for treating an articular joint, said joint including at least first and second bones with facing articular surfaces, the bones being subject to forces exerted by target tissues around said joint, the apparatus comprising:
- a support portion adapted for being secured to tissue or bone;
- and
- a bearing portion supported by the support portion, the bearing portion being configured and dimensioned for placement proximate the target tissue, said bearing portion having at least one bearing surface configured to displace the target tissue relative to the joint by a distance sufficient to redirect a force exerted by said target tissue on said joint to achieve a therapeutic effect.
An apparatus for treating an articular joint to effect force distribution in the joint, said joint including at least first and second bones with facing articular surfaces, the bones being positioned with respect to one another by associated muscle and connective tissues, said tissues comprising target tissues for therapy, the apparatus comprising:
- a bearing member configured and dimensioned for placement in a therapeutic location proximate at least one said target tissue to displace the target tissue from its natural path to a therapeutic path when placed in said therapeutic location;
- and
- a bearing surface disposed on the bearing member, the bearing surface being configured to atruamatically engage the target tissue and to permit movement of the target tissue.
An apparatus for treating disorders of articular joints, the joint being subject to forces exerted by soft tissues disposed proximate to the joint, the apparatus comprising a prosthesis implantable in engagement with the soft tissues so as to displace the soft tissues sufficiently to alter the location, angle or magnitude of the forces exerted by the soft tissues so as to achieve a therapeutic effect in the joint.
A method of treating an articular joint to effect force distribution in the joint, said joint including at least first and second bones with facing articular surfaces, the bones being positioned with respect to one another by associated muscle and connective tissues, the method comprising:
- selecting at least one of said associated muscle and connective tissues as target tissue for treatment;
- displacing said target tissue without severing said bones or target tissue;
- and
- redistributing loading in the joint to achieve a therapeutic effect by said displacing.
A method of treating an articular joint, said joint including at least first and second bones with facing articular surfaces, the bones being subject to a force exerted by target tissues around said joint, the method comprising:
- implanting a prosthesis to displace said target tissue relative to the joint, wherein a force exerted by said target tissue is redirected in a manner to redistribute a load on at least one of said articular surfaces without cutting said first or second bones.
A method of treating an articular joint, said joint including at least first and second bones with facing articular surfaces, the bones being subject to forces exerted by target tissues around said joint, the method comprising:
- creating a surgical opening to access the target tissue;
- displacing said target tissue relative to the joint into a displaced configuration to redirect a force exerted on said joint by said target tissue without cutting said first or second bones;
- and
- closing the surgical opening with said target tissue remaining in the displaced configuration.
A method for treating a hip joint having hip abductor muscles acting thereon, comprising:
- installing a prosthesis in engagement with at least a portion of the hip abductor muscles or connective tissue connected thereto to alter a force vector applied by the hip abductor muscles to the hip joint.
A method for treating a hip joint having hip abductor muscles acting thereon, comprising:
- installing a prosthesis in engagement with a greater trochanter of the hip joint to alter a force vector applied by the hip abductor muscles to the hip joint.
A method for treating a knee joint having connective tissues including an iliotibial band, a biceps femoris, a collateral fibular ligament, and a patellar tendon acting thereon, the method comprising:
- installing a prosthesis in engagement with at least a portion of one of said connective tissues to alter a force vector applied by said connective tissues to the knee joint.
A method of treating inflammation or pain due to rubbing or pressure of soft tissue against other tissue, the method comprising implanting a prosthesis proximate the soft tissue wherein the prosthesis displaces the soft tissue sufficiently to reduce said inflammation or pain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.