US 5,688,281 A · Intramedullary alignment guide

Abstract

An intramedullary alignment guide and method for use thereof are disclosed for accurately preparing and shaping the distal femur end surface to receive a knee prosthesis for securement thereto. The guide references the femur intramedullary canal to ensure that a distal femoral resector is properly positioned at a selected angle with respect to a patient's mechanical axis. In the preferred embodiment, the intramedullary alignment guide includes an opening for inserting an intramedullary rod therethrough and into the intramedullary canal of a patient. The present guide includes an adjustment mechanism which allows a surgeon to quickly and easily deflect an attached distal femoral resector into a desired angular displacement with respect to intramedullary canal. In accordance with the preferred method, the distal femoral resector angled with respect to the intramedullary canal so that a cut can be made in a patient's distal femur end which is perpendicular with the patient's mechanical axis. The present guide can be used on patients having various anatomies, and in operations involving both the right and left legs. A sighting tool is also disclosed which allows a surgeon to externally verify that the distal femoral resector is properly aligned with the patient's mechanical axis.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A femoral alignment guide for positioning a distal femoral cutting guide at an angle which is perpendicular to a patient's mechanical axis, including:

(a) a base having a plurality of securement holes formed therethrough for securing the base to a distal femur end of a patient, wherein the base includes an attachment rod shaped to receive a distal femoral cutting guide;
and
(b) an angular adjustment means having a longitudinal axis, pivotally and rotationally secured to the base, wherein rotation of the adjustment means pivots the base, and wherein rotation of the adjustment means about the axis deflects the base in accordance with the rotational position of the angular adjustment means to adjust the angle between the base and the axis.

A femoral alignment guide for aligning a distal femoral cutting guide to a patient's mechanical axis, including:

(a) a base having a plurality of securement holes formed therethrough for securing the base to a distal femur end of the patient, wherein the base includes an attachment rod shaped to receive a distal femoral cutting guide;
(b) a substantially elongate rocker unit pivotally coupled to the base, the rocker unit having a first end;
(c) an angular displacement means;
and
(d) a manual adjustment rod rotationally and coaxially fitted over the rocker unit, wherein the adjustment rod has a first and a second end, and wherein the first end includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart angular displacement notches and the second end engages the angular displacement means so as to deflect the rocker unit and coaxial adjustment rod with respect to the base upon rotation of the adjustment rod, wherein the rotational position of each notch corresponds to a selected angular displacement of the base with respect to the adjustment rod, and wherein a user selects a desired angular displacement of the base with respect to the adjustment rod by rotating the adjustment rod about the rocker unit until a desired notch is engaged.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intramedullary alignment guide

Life of this patent

Intramedullary alignment guide

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16