Drill pin guide and method for orthopedic surgery

#The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of setting bone fragments relative to the adjacent bone mass.

#Surgical screws and pins used in the fixation of bone fractures and separations occurring in humans and in animals are well known in the art. The medical devices and methods known heretofore, however, are poorly suited for treating fractures and separations of small bones or for treating those fractures and separations resulting in small bone fragments. These types of injuries require more than a simple downsizing of existing equipment.

#A common problem encountered when two or more bones are to be joined together after a break or fracture is that they must be positioned properly relative to each other. The surgeon accomplishes this by first maneuvering the bones into the relative position he or she believes to be proper and then inserts a first pin or screw. If the bones are not positioned properly the pin (or screw) must be removed and a new hole drilled. This second hole is close to the first, particularly in small bones, and thus often slips because the hole in the bone is elongated. Thus, often it is necessary to position a second hole very close to a first hole without the two holes overlapping and with the holes having a fixed and measurable positional relationship with each other.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams in which:

#FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the disclosed drill guide;

#FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d depict the disclosed method of inserting an interlocking pin and screw in connection with the disclosed drill guide;

#FIG. 1 depicts a drill pin guide 10 embodying the disclosed invention. Drill pin guide 10 consists of a body 101 and a handle 102. Body 101 contains channels 103 and 104. Channel 104 is sized to accept an orthopedic pin, typically of diameter 0.035, 0.045, 0.062 or 0.078 inches. Channel 103 is sized to accept, in one embodiment, a drill bit, and, in another embodiment, a second orthopedic pin. Typically, channel 103 would accept a drill bit for screws of diameter 2.7, 3.0, 3.5 or 4.5 mm or a pin again of diameter 0.035, 0.045, 0.062 or 0.078 inches. Channels 103 and 104 are parallel and fully pierce body 101. Channels 103 and 104 are further laterally spaced from one another to create an interference fit between pin and screw as described more fully below. Body 101 may contain an inner barrel 105 containing channels 103 and 104 rotatable relative to the outside surface of body 101. This feature facilitates the universal placement of channels 103 and 104 with respect to handle 102.

#FIG. 2a depicts a femur 20 which contains a fractured condyle 201 and an adjacent underlying bone mass 202. Although the present invention is depicted in conjunction with a medial condyle fracture of the femur, the disclosed drill pin guide is suitable for the repair of a wide range of fractures or separations in humans as well as in animals. In particular, drill pin guide 10 is well suited in conjunction with sacroiliac luxations, condylar "T" and "Y" fractures of the humerus and femur, femoral neck fractures and in jaw fractures.

#Typically a surgeon would insert pin 203 through bone fragment 201 and into underlying bone mass 202. The surgeon leaves a portion of pin 203 protruding from at least one side of both bone pieces. Here, pin 203 protrudes from bone fragment 201. Pin 203 is small enough that it may be inserted manually without first drilling a hole by the surgeon who simultaneously aligns bone fragment 201 with bone mass 202. Pin 203 is inserted along a line determined by the surgeon in light of the present discussion. Pin 203 may be bent (not shown) where it emerges from the bone at this point to select a different path for channel 103 as discussed more fully below. The surgeon may choose to do so to adjust the final placement of the adjacent screw or to provide additional rigidity to the bone fragment as described in connection with FIG. 4.