IP Library Granted Patent US 7,569,060
Granted Patent B2
US 7,569,060 · App. 10/820,988 · Granted Aug 4, 2009

Apparatus for the fixing of the position of bone cuts

Assignee: Zimmer, GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,569,060
App. No.
10/820,988
Granted
Aug 4, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for the fixing of the position of bone cuts for the insertion of knee implants comprising at least one cutting template which can be coupled to a base element fixed to the bone in the region of a condyle and can be fixed to the base element, wherein the cutting jig defines, in the fixed state and in each case by means of a slot for a cutting tool, a first cutting plane with respect to the base element and a second cutting plane with respect to the first cutting plane, and wherein the orientation of the second cutting plane can be set relative to the first cutting plane when the cutting jig is coupled to the base part and the respect knee anatomy is taken into account.

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus for the fixing of the position of bone cuts for the insertion of knee implants, the apparatus comprising:

a base element adapted to be fixed to a bone in the region of a condyle; and

at least one cutting jig adapted to be coupled to the base element, the cutting jig comprising:

a first slot for guiding a cutting tool, the first slot defining a first cutting plane with respect to the base element, the first slot configured to receive a cutting tool while the cutting jig remains coupled to the base element;

a U-shaped base part having a pair of U limbs, wherein, when the cutting jig is coupled to the base element, the pair of U limbs are parallel to the first cutting plane and at least a portion of the base element is received between the pair of U limbs;

a clamping lever pivotably supported at the U-shaped base part about an axis extending parallel to the first cutting plane and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the U limbs;

a clamping spindle extending parallel to the U limbs of the U-shaped base part and cooperating with the clamping lever via a thread; and

a turntable arrangement rotatably supported by one of the pair of U limbs, the turntable arrangement rotatable about an axis extending perpendicular to the first cutting plane, the turntable arrangement defining a second slot for guiding a cutting tool, the second slot configured to receive a cutting tool while the cutting jig remains coupled to the base element and while taking the respective knee anatomy into account, wherein the rotational position of the second slot relative to the first slot is fixed by rotational actuation of the clamping spindle and the clamping lever is simultaneously pivotable relative to the U-shaped base part to clampingly engage the base element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the clamping spindle further comprises a free end region configured for fixing the rotational position of the turntable arrangement, wherein rotational actuation of the clamping spindle brings the free end region of the clamping spindle into clamping engagement with an outer rim region of the turntable arrangement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the clamping lever comprises an actuation arm and a clamping arm, wherein the clamping spindle cooperates with the actuation arm to pivot the clamping arm when the clamping spindle is rotated, wherein, with at least a portion of the base element received between the pair of U limbs, rotational actuation of the clamping spindle results in corresponding pivoting of the clamping lever via the actuation arm to clamp the cutting jig to the base element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein cooperating threaded sections of the clamping spindle and of the clamping lever are held free of clearance by a spring clamped between a contact section fixed with respect to the spindle and the actuation arm of the clamping lever.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an immediate space between the pair of U limbs of the base part is matched to the height of the base element and is designed for a base element with a height of approximately 12 mm.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 15, 2006
From: OVERES, TOM
To: ZIMMER GMBH
Reel/Frame 017974/0345 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 4, 2005
From: CENTERPULSE ORTHOPEDICS LTD.
To: ZIMMER GMBH
Reel/Frame 016525/0343 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2004
From: FAORO, FRANCISCO
To: CENTERPULSE ORTHOPEDICS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 015664/0042 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 03009440 · Apr 25, 2003 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040249385A1 · Dec 9, 2004