# US 2016/0256175 A1 · Guidance system and method for bone fusion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256175 A1 - Document ID: US20160256175A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/421,049 - Filed: 2014-09-11 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-11 - Assignees: Wright Medical Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Wright Medical Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Shannon CUMMINGS; Kian-Ming WONG - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256175A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/1703: {using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays} - A61B 17/1717: {for applying intramedullary nails or pins} - A61B 17/1796: {for holes for sutures or flexible wires} - A61B 17/1775: {for the foot or ankle} - A61B 2017/0092: {for X-rays} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus comprises a medial rail having a plurality of openings through the medial rail for receiving pins, screws or wires. An arm is pivotally mounted to the medial rail. The arm has at least a first track on a first side. A post has a connector slidably mounted to the first track of the arm for movement along the first track. A guide is slidably mounted for movement along the post. The guide has at least one opening through it and at least one pin for engaging a bone of a patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus comprising: a medial rail having a plurality of openings therethrough for receiving pins, screws or wires; an arm pivotally mounted to the medial rail, the arm having at least a first track on a first side thereof; a post having a connector slidably mounted to the first track of the arm for movement along the first track; and a guide slidably mounted for movement along the post, the guide having at least one opening therethrough and at least one pin for engaging a bone of a patient. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm has a second track on a second side of the arm opposite the first side of the arm, and the post is capable of being slidably mounted to either the first track or the second track. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the arm is capable of pivoting about 180 degrees or more, the post is configured to be mounted to the first track and arranged approximately parallel to the medial rail on a first side of the medial rail, and the post is configured to be mounted to the second track and arranged approximately parallel to the medial rail on a second side of the medial rail opposite the first side of the medial rail. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first track is a T-shaped or dovetail-shaped groove, and the connector is a T-shaped or dovetail-shaped member corresponding to the first track. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the connector has a threaded hole therethrough for receiving a threaded end of the post, such that advancing the threaded end of the post to abut a surface of the first track locks the post in position with respect to the first track. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the medial rail comprises a radiolucent material, and contains therein a radiopaque element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the radiopaque element is an elongated metal pin having a diameter that is smaller than a distance between the first side of the medial rail and a second side of the medial rail opposite the first side. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the radiopaque element is positioned between two of the plurality of holes of the medial rail. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide has an opening, the apparatus further comprising a bushing configured to be detachably mounted in the opening of the guide, the bushing adapted to receive a drill bit or a wire therethrough. ### Claim 10 A method comprising: fixing a medial rail having a plurality of openings therethrough to a medial column of a patient; pivoting an arm mounted to the medial rail so the arm extends on a lateral side of the medial rail, the arm having at least a first track on a first side thereof, so that after the pivoting, the first track faces an anterior side of the arm; sliding a post mounted to the first track of the arm until the post is adjacent a metatarsal; and sliding a guide along the post, wherein the guide has at least one pin, and the sliding is performed until the pin engages the metatarsal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting a wire or drill into the metatarsal through the guide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the inserting step includes passing the wire or drill through bone until the wire or drill reaches a talus of the patient. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: pivoting the arm by approximately 180 degrees, so that a second track on a second side of the arm opposite the first side of the arm faces the anterior side of the arm; and mounting the post to the second track. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising: sliding the post along the second track of the arm until the post is adjacent a second metatarsal; and sliding the guide along the post until the pin engages the second metatarsal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of fixing the medial rail includes inserting a plurality of pins or wires through the plurality of openings into respective bones of a medial column of the patient. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the post has a connector with a threaded hole therethrough for receiving a threaded end of the post, further comprising advancing the threaded end of the post to abut a surface of the first track, so as to lock the post in position with respect to the first track. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the medial rail comprises a radiolucent material, and contains therein a radiopaque element, the method further comprising viewing the radiopaque element with a fluoroscope to align the medial rail with the medial column. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting a bushing into an opening in the guide. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising drilling an opening for a pin or wire through the bushing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting a pin or wire through the bushing.