US6096043A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Epicondylar axis alignment-femoral positioning drill guide
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Professional Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-18
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2018-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A tool lays out resection or alignment features to prepare a bone end for prosthetic joint replacement. The tool attaches to the end of the femur, and positions an initial cut, for example a pair of aligned drill holes for the positioning pins of a prosthesis or the cutting blocks used in preparing the distal femur. The tool includes adjustable assemblies coupled to a main body for setting its position, and these are arranged with graduations for sizing the femur. The adjustable assemblies include an epicondylar engaging assembly such as a pair of clamp arms which slide in the body to align the body along the epicondylar axis. It further includes one or more other assemblies which determine a line, offset depth or other coordinate or component of orientation to set the drill guide for optimally locating the initial cut in the femur. Preferably, the other assemblies include an A/P sizing jig in the tool which determines an offset, and the drill guide is coupled so that it positions drill holes on the bone end in coordination with sizing jig. The clamp assembly may further indicate medial/lateral offset information for shifting the center to improve tracking and alignment. This allows the surgeon to confirm or adjust both the size and the position of the prosthesis with respect to several landmarks using a single tool. The drill holes may set a position for a standard cutting block to fit the femoral end component of a prosthetic knee.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Techiera
- 👤 Arlen D. Hanssen
- 👤 Scott Presbrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/17; A61B17/1739; A61B17/1764; A61B17/14; A61B17/15; A61B17/154; A61B17/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An alignment jig for locating a cutting block or the like to prepare a bone ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component, wherein the bone ending possesses medial and lateral epicondyles defining an epicondylar axis, the jig comprising a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface an epicondylar alignment assembly configured for aligning with the medial and lateral epicondyles and moveably coupled to the body so as to hold the body aligned along the epicondylar axis at said surface an A/P positioning assembly movably extending from the body and being positionable in contact with the bone to set an A/P position of the body, and a tool guide carried by the body for positioning an instrument to make a preparatory cut in the bone whereby the instrument is positioned to make the preparatory cut in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An alignment jig for locating a cutting block or the like to prepare a bone ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component, wherein the bone ending possesses medial and lateral epicondyles defining an epicondylar axis, the jig comprising a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface an epicondylar alignment assembly configured for aligning with the medial and lateral epicondyles and moveably coupled to the body so as to hold the body aligned along the epicondylar axis at said surface an A/P positioning assembly movably extending from the body and being positionable in contact with the bone to set an A/P position of the body, and a tool guide carried by the body for positioning an instrument to make a preparatory cut in the bone whereby the instrument is positioned to make the preparatory cut in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein said epicondylar alignment assembly includes clamp arms having engagement prongs for engaging said epicondyles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An alignment jig according to claim 2, wherein one of said clamp arms includes a template for visually centering the engagement prongs on a connective tissue bundle anchored at one of said epicondyles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein one or more elements of said body, said alignment assembly, said A/P positioning assembly and said tool guide, includes size graduations keyed to relative position of said elements for movably adjusting positions of said elements and the body while visually assessing fit of prosthesis size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein two or more elements of said body, said alignment assembly, said A/P positioning assembly and said tool guide, includes size graduations keyed to relative position of said elements for movably adjusting positions of said elements while visually assessing fit of prosthesis size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein three or more elements from among said body, said alignment assembly, said A/P positioning assembly and said tool guide, include size graduations keyed to relative position of said elements for movably adjusting positions of said elements while visually assessing fit of prosthesis size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An alignment jig according to claim 1, wherein the body moves side to side to adjust position of a prosthesis in relation to offset of the epicondyles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
An alignment jig for locating a cutting block or the like to prepare a bone ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component, wherein the bone ending possesses medial and lateral epicondyles, the jig comprising a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface at least first and second epicondylar engagers mechanically extending from the body, the engagers being configured to selectively contact and engage opposed epicondylar regions of the bone and hold the body aligned along the epicondylar axis at said surface an A/P positioning assembly movably extending from the body and being positionable in contact with the bone to set an A/P position of the body, and a tool guide carried by the body said body being lockingly movable with respect to the epicondylar engagers and the A/P positioning assembly to orient and position the body so as to align the tool guide for forming locator holes in the bone aligned relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
An alignment jig for locating a cutting block or the like to prepare a bone ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component, wherein the bone ending possesses medial and lateral epicondyles, the jig comprising a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface at least first and second epicondylar engagers mechanically extending from the body, the engagers being configured to selectively contact and engage opposed epicondylar regions of the bone and hold the body aligned along the epicondylar axis at said surface an A/P positioning assembly movably extending from the body and being positionable in contact with the bone to set an A/P position of the body, and a tool guide carried by the body said body being lockingly movable with respect to the epicondylar engagers and the A/P positioning assembly to orient and position the body so as to align the tool guide for forming locator holes in the bone aligned relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for locating a sawcut template or the like to prepare a bone ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component during installation of a prosthesis, wherein the bone ending possesses medial and lateral epicondyles defining an epicondylar axis, and posesses at least some epicondylar connective tissue, the method comprising the steps of providing a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface and having a structure for positioning a tool to cut a bone alignment feature at said surface to determine placement of the component on the bone ending, and providing an alignment assembly moveably coupled to the body and alignable with respect to medial and lateral such that when so aligned the alignment assembly holds the body in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis, so that the tool is positioned to cut said bone alignment feature in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis, thereby enhancing soft tissue balance of the installed prosthesis.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for locating a sawcut template or the like to prepare a bone ending for receiving a prosthetic joint component during installation of a prosthesis, wherein the bone ending possesses medial and lateral epicondyles defining an epicondylar axis, and posesses at least some epicondylar connective tissue, the method comprising the steps of providing a body configured to lie adjacent a distal prepared femoral bone surface and having a structure for positioning a tool to cut a bone alignment feature at said surface to determine placement of the component on the bone ending, and providing an alignment assembly moveably coupled to the body and alignable with respect to medial and lateral such that when so aligned the alignment assembly holds the body in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis, so that the tool is positioned to cut said bone alignment feature in alignment relative to the epicondylar axis, thereby enhancing soft tissue balance of the installed prosthesis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of movably extending an A/P positioning assembly from the body into contact with the bone to set A/P displacement of the feature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of lockingly moving the body with respect to the alignment assembly and the A/P positioning assembly to adjust and lock the location of the body across the surface while maintaining the bone feature cut aligned relative to the epicondylar axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the body includes a drill guide configured to place drill holes for receiving locator pins of a cutting block.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |