# US 7,611,540 B2 · Extra-articular implantable mechanical energy absorbing systems and implantation method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,540 B2 - Document ID: US7611540B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/775,139 - Filed: 2007-07-09 - Published: 2008-11-06 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2007-07-09 - Assignees: Moximed, Inc. - Inventors: Anton G. Clifford; Mary O'Connell; Joshua Makower; Richard G. Vecchiotti - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611540B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/3836: {Special connection between upper and lower leg, e.g. constrained} - A61B 17/68: Internal fixation devices {, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin (bone staples A61B17/0642)} - A61B 17/7028: {the flexible part being a coil spring} - A61B 17/7044: {also having plates, staples or washers bearing on the vertebrae} - A61F 2/08: Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments - A61F 2/0811: {Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments} - A61F 2/3854: {with ball and socket joint} - A61B 17/0482: {Needle or suture guides (guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; guides for puncturing needles A61B17/3403)} - A61B 17/154: {for preparing bone for knee prosthesis} - A61B 17/6425: {specially adapted to be fitted across a bone joint} - A61B 2017/567: {Joint mechanisms or joint supports in addition to the natural joints and outside the joint gaps} - A61F 2002/0823: {Modular anchors comprising a plurality of separate parts} - A61F 2002/0864: {Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor elements, e.g. by additional screws in the anchor, anchor crimped around tendon} - A61F 2002/0888: {Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel} - Y10S 623/914: Bone - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating a knee joint, comprising: locating a Blumensaat's line of a femur; identifying a femoral rotation point of an energy manipulation structure within plus or minus 5 millimeters of a midpoint of the Blumensaat's line; positioning a first base member relative to the Blumensaat line and the femoral rotation point; positioning a second base member relative to the first base member; configuring the energy manipulation structure between the first and second base members; and positioning a guide at a mid-point of the Blumensaat's line; wherein the guide includes a plurality of concentric rings or arcs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying an initial matching circle or arc of the guide with a tibial plateau when the knee joint is in 0° flexion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising verifying that the tibial plateau at 90° flexion is outside of initial matching circle or arc. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising inserting a wire into bone through the center of the guide and removing the guide. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, positioning a first base member mount hole about the wire and using fluoroscopy to estimate positioning of the first base member to bone member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising making a first incision in the patient's skin adjacent the wire. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising separating fascia and tissue near the first incision to expose bone periostium. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising displacing periostium of a first area of bone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising inserting the first base member within the first incision and configuring the first base member mount hole over the wire. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching the first base member to bone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising inserting bone screws either uni or bi-cortically through holes in the first base member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising placing one end of a tibial guide member into engagement with the wire. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising aligning a guide cross bar of the tibial guide member perpendicular to a top of a tibial surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising estimating a location of the second base member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising making a second incision in the patient's skin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising separating fascia and tissue within the second incision to expose a second area of bone periostium. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting the second base member within the second incision and positioning the second base member to optimize fit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching the second base member to bone. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising creating a tunnel under the patient's skin between the first and second incision for the energy manipulation structure to be placed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising adjusting the energy manipulation structure between the first and second base members. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising conducting pre-operative assessments to identify energy manipulation needs and device implantation sites. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the energy manipulation structure.