Method and system for facial osteodistraction using a cannulated device

1. A midface distraction system, comprising:

a cannulated distraction rod comprising:

a socket disposed adjacent a first end;

a second end;

a threaded portion disposed between the second end and the socket;

a cannulated malar pin comprising:

a flange at a first end; and

a second end configured to form a moveable coupling between the cannulated malar pin and the socket.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a guidance pin configured in diameter and length for approximately concurrent insertion into the cannulated distraction rod and the cannulated malar pin and thereby operable to align the cannulated distraction rod and the cannulated malar pin contiguously along a similar trajectory.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a first end of the guidance pin comprises a tip formed by three flats, equally spaced, to form cutting edges and a point.

4. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a cannulated drill bit having an inner surface surrounding a hollow, the hollow being sufficient in diameter to encompass the guidance pin and the drill bit being further configured to bore a pathway along the trajectory established by the guidance pin, the pathway being sufficient in diameter to seat the cannulated distraction rod and the cannulated malar pin.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly comprising:

a plate configured to receive a plurality of screws; and

an internally-threaded tubular conduit coupled to the plate and configured to threadably engage the threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a hinge situated between the plate and the internally-threaded tubular conduit, the hinge allowing for pivotal movement of the internally-threaded tubular conduit relative to the plate.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a hinge situated between the plate and the internally-threaded tubular conduit, the hinge allowing for pivotal movement of the internally-threaded tubular conduit relative to the plate in a single plane.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cannulated distraction rod further comprises a second threaded portion disposed at the second end of the cannulated distraction rod; and further comprising

a threaded cap nut configured to engage the second threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod, such that rotation of the threaded cap nut causes approximately corresponding rotation of the cannulated distraction rod.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flange at the first end of the cannulated malar pin is configured to abut a first surface of a bone in the zygomatic region of a skull and wherein the second end is configured to pass through the bone and extend past a second surface of the bone.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a malar plate configured to receive a plurality of screws and further configured to couple the cannulated malar pin to a bone of the zygomatic region of a skull.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein a cannulated distraction rod having a socket disposed adjacent a first end comprises a cannulated distraction rod having a conical well disposed adjacent the first end, the conical well being configured to moveably entrap the second end of the cannulated malar pin.

12. A method of manufacturing a midface distraction system, comprising:

forming a cannulated distraction rod comprising:

a socket disposed adjacent a first end;

a second end;

a threaded portion disposed between the second end and the socket;

forming a cannulated malar pin comprising:

a flange at a first end; and

a second end configured to form a moveable coupling between the cannulated malar pin and the socket.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

forming an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly comprising:

a plate configured to receive a plurality of screws; and

an internally-threaded tubular conduit coupled to the plate and configured to threadably engage the threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein forming the anchor assembly further comprises forming a hinge situated between the plate and the internally-threaded tubular conduit, the hinge allowing for pivotal movement of the internally-threaded tubular conduit relative to the plate.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein forming a cannulated distraction rod having a socket disposed adjacent a first end comprises forming a cannulated distraction rod having a conical well disposed adjacent the first end, the conical well being configured to moveably entrap the second end of the cannulated malar pin.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein forming the cannulated distraction rod further comprises forming a second threaded portion disposed at the second end of the cannulated distraction rod; and further comprising

forming a threaded cap nut configured to engage the second threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod, such that rotation of the threaded cap nut causes approximately corresponding rotation of the cannulated distraction rod.

17. A method of midface distraction, comprising:

using a guidance pin to establish a trajectory for a cannulated distraction rod comprising:

a socket disposed adjacent a first end;

a second end;

a threaded portion disposed between the second end and the socket;

using the guidance pin to position the cannulated distraction rod relative to a cannulated malar pin comprising:

a flange at a first end;

a second end configured to form a moveable coupling between the cannulated malar pin and the socket; and

coupling the cannulated distraction rod to a skull using an anchor assembly that threadably engages the threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the anchor assembly comprises:

a plate configured to receive a plurality of screws;

an internally-threaded tubular conduit that threadably engages the threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod; and

a hinge situated between the plate and the internally-threaded tubular conduit, the hinge allowing for pivotal movement of the internally-threaded tubular conduit relative to the plate.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising rotating the cannulated distraction rod so as to impart distractive forces upon the cannulated malar pin.

20. A system for midface distraction, comprising a left side cannulated distraction mechanism and a right side cannulated distraction mechanism, each comprising:

a cannulated distraction rod comprising:

a socket disposed adjacent a first end;

a second end;

a threaded portion disposed between the second end and the socket;

a cannulated malar pin comprising:

a flange at a first end; and

a second end configured to form a moveable coupling between the cannulated malar pin and the socket; and

wherein the system for midface distraction further comprises a maxillary bridge configured to couple the left side cannulated distraction mechanism with the right side cannulated distraction mechanism.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the left side cannulated distraction mechanism and the right side cannulated distraction mechanism, each further comprise:

an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly comprising:

a plate configured to receive a plurality of screws;

an internally-threaded tubular conduit coupled to the plate and configured to threadably engage the threaded portion of the cannulated distraction rod.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the anchor assembly further comprises a hinge situated between the plate and the internally-threaded tubular conduit, the hinge allowing for pivotal movement of the internally-threaded tubular conduit relative to the plate.