SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORTHOPEDIC MEASUREMENT AND ALIGNMENT
At least one embodiment is directed to a system for distracting bones of a muscular-skeletal system. The dynamic distractor ( 100 ) comprises at least one sensor ( 108, 110 ), a handle ( 112, 804 ), a lift mechanism ( 302 ), and one or more alignment aids ( 502, 802 ). The position and measurement sensors ( 108, 110 ) are in communication with the processing unit ( 406 ) to display, process, and store measured data. The process of distraction separates two components such as bones of the muscular-skeletal system. Dynamic distractor ( 100 ) can aid in the alignment of the skeletal system and to verify that alignment is correct. A surface or feature on a handle of dynamic distractor ( 100 ) has a relational position to one of the surfaces being distracted. The surface has an optimal alignment to a mechanical axis. An alignment aid ( 502, 802 ) is coupled to the surface or feature to measure alignment to the mechanical axis.
1 . An orthopedic system comprising:
a device coupled to a muscular-skeletal system;
a surface or feature on the device having a relational position to at least one of surface of the muscular-skeletal system where the surface or feature is used to determine alignment with a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system.
2 . The system of claim 1 where the device includes:
a spacer having a superior surface and an inferior surface to distract two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system;
a handle coupled to the spacer where the handle includes the surface or feature; and
an alignment aid coupled to surface or feature of the handle.
3 . The system of claim 2 where the alignment aid coupled to the surface or feature of the handle is used to determine misalignment between the at least one surface of the muscular-skeletal system and a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system.
4 . The system of claim 3 further including a sensor coupled to the spacer for determining a relative position of at least two bones of the muscular-skeletal system.
5 . The system of claim 1 where the alignment aid comprises a rod, where the feature is an opening or cavity, where the rod is directed perpendicular to a plane of the at least one surface of the muscular-skeletal system.
6 . The system of claim 5 where the rod corresponds to an alignment of the at least one surface to the mechanical axis.
7 . The system of claim 5 where the rod includes at least one sensor to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system.
8 . The system of claim 2 where the alignment tool comprises:
at least one laser coupled to the surface or feature of the handle; and
at least one target coupled to the muscular-skeletal system where the at least one target is positioned to be in alignment with the mechanical axis.
9 . The system of claim 8 where the laser is directed perpendicular to a plane of the at least one surface of the muscular-skeletal system.
10 . The system of claim 2 further including at least one sensor overlying a superior or inferior surface of the spacer to measure at least one parameter of the muscular-skeletal system.
11 . The system of claim 10 where a spacing between the superior surface and the inferior surface is adjustable in height and where the handle can be moved away from a surgical area.
12 . A method of measuring the muscular-skeletal system comprising the steps of:
distracting two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system with a spacer; and
measuring misalignment of a surface of the two surfaces to a mechanical axis with an alignment aid coupled to a handle of the spacer block where the alignment aid is coupled to a surface or feature on the handle that has a relational position to the surface.
13 . The method of claim 12 further including the steps of:
placing the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system in a first position;
correcting misalignment of the surface if outside a predetermined range;
measuring a gap between the two surfaces;
measuring a force applied by the two surfaces on the spacer; and
transmitting measurement data to a processing unit.
14 . The method of claim 12 further including the steps of:
placing the two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system in a second position;
checking alignment of the surface to the mechanical axis in the second position;
measuring a gap between the two surface in the second position;
measuring a force applied by the two surfaces on the distractor in the second position; and
transmitting measurement data to the processing unit.
15 . The method of claim 12 where the step of measuring misalignment further includes the steps of:
coupling at least one laser to the handle; and
coupling at least one target to the muscular-skeletal system where a location of the beam hitting the target corresponds to the misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis.
16 . An orthopedic system comprising:
a dynamic distractor having a superior surface and an inferior surface to variably distract at least two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system where either the superior or inferior surface includes a sensor for measuring at least one parameter of the muscular-skeletal system; and
a handle coupled to the distractor where the handle has at least one feature having a relational position to a surface of the at least two surfaces of the muscular-skeletal system to aid in determining misalignment to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system.
17 . The system of claim 16 where the relational position of the feature is perpendicular to a plane of the at least one surface of the muscular-skeletal system.
18 . The system of claim 17 where a center of the feature is aligned to the mechanical axis.
19 . The system of claim 16 where the feature is an opening or a cavity in the handle, where a rod is coupled to the feature to indicate a direction perpendicular to the at least one surface of the muscular-skeletal system, and where the direction of the rod is compared to the mechanical axis to determine misalignment.
20 . The system of claim 16 further including:
at least one laser coupled to the feature of the handle; and
at least one target coupled to the muscular-skeletal system where the at least one target is positioned to be in alignment with the mechanical axis.