# US 9,750,514 B2 · X-ray based cutblock positioning jig

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,750,514 B2
- Document ID: US9750514B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/424,267
- Filed: 2017-02-03
- Published: 2017-05-25
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-15
- Assignees: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
- Applicants: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
- Inventors: Brian A. Uthgenannt; Robert Metzger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750514B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/1764: {for the knee}
- A61B 17/154: {for preparing bone for knee prosthesis}
- A61B 17/155: {Cutting femur}
- A61B 17/157: {Cutting tibia}
- A61B 17/1703: {using imaging means, e.g. by X-rays}
- A61B 2017/568: {produced with shape and dimensions specific for an individual patient}
- A61B 2034/108: {Computer aided selection or customisation of medical implants or cutting guides}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A cut block positioning jig including a first alignment member, a second alignment member, and both first and second guide members. The first alignment member is movable towards and away from a patient's bone to which the positioning jig is mounted to arrange the jig at a predetermined position relative to the bone based on x-rays of the patient. The second alignment member is movable towards and away from the bone to arrange the jig at the predetermined position relative to the bone. The first and second guide members are configured to direct cut block support members to the bone to couple a cut block to the bone to provide the bone with patient-specific cuts.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for preparing a knee joint of a patient to receive an implant comprising:
determining knee bone cuts in a knee bone for positioning the implant in a patient-specific orientation based on an x-ray of the patient, wherein determining includes identifying patient specific characteristics of the knee bone including one or more of an anterior cortex of the diaphysis of a femur, a flexion/extension gap of the knee joint, and a desired varus/valgus alignment of the knee joint; and
arranging a positioning guide on the knee bone at a predetermined position therefrom by setting one or more alignment members of the guide to a predetermined setting as determined by a preoperative plan for use of the positioning guide, the positioning guide is configured to direct one or more fixation members to the knee bone sufficient to mount a cut block to the knee bone in a position suitable to guide a cutting device to the knee bone to make one or more desired knee bone cuts.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
cutting the knee bone using the guide;
setting the fixation members in the knee bone using the guide;
removing the guide from the knee bone;
attaching the cut block to the fixation members;
cutting the knee bone using the cut block to make the one or more desired knee bone cuts; and
securing the implant to the knee bone.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein setting the fixation members in the knee bone comprises passing at least one of the fixation members through a bore in at least one of the one or more alignment members.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined setting corresponds to a desired position of the one or more alignment members against the knee bone.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined setting for the one or more alignment members directs a fixation pin to the knee bone in a patient-specific location as determined by the x-ray of the patient.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein arranging the positioning guide on the knee bone includes dialing the one or more alignment members clockwise or counterclockwise and referencing a position indicator that identifies a rotational position of the one or more alignment members.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein arranging the positioning guide on the knee bone include adjusting a position of several portions of the positioning guide relative to the knee bone.

### Claim 8

A method for preparing a knee joint of a patient to receive an implant comprising:
identifying an anterior cortex of a diaphysis of a patient's femur based on an x-ray of the patient;
determining one or more of a proper flexion/extension gap, varus/valgus alignment, and a tibial slope of rotation of the knee joint based on the x-ray of the patient;
determining knee bone cuts in the knee bone for positioning the implant in a patient-specific orientation based on one or more of a location of the anterior cortex, the flexion/extension gap, the varus/valgus alignment, and the tibial slope of rotation of the knee joint; and
arranging a positioning guide on the knee bone at a predetermined position therefrom by setting one or more alignment members of the guide to a predetermined setting as determined by a preoperative plan for use of the positioning guide, the positioning guide is configured to direct one or more fixation members to the knee bone sufficient to mount a cut block to the knee bone in a position suitable to guide a cutting device to the knee bone to make one or more desired knee bone cuts.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising:
cutting the knee bone using the guide;
setting the fixation members in the knee bone using the guide;
removing the guide from the knee bone;
attaching the cut block to the fixation members;
cutting the knee bone using the cut block to make the one or more desired knee bone cuts; and
securing the implant to the knee bone.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein setting the fixation members in the knee bone comprises passing at least one of the fixation members through a bore in at least one of the one or more alignment members.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined setting corresponds to a desired position of the one or more alignment members against the knee bone, and wherein the predetermined setting directs a fixation pin to the knee bone in a patient-specific location as determined by the x-ray of the patient.