System and method for orthopedic distraction and stabilization
View Patent ↗At least one embodiment is directed to a dynamic distractor ( 1 00 ) for distracting bones of a muscular-skeletal system. The dynamic distractor ( 100 ) includes at least one sensor ( 108, 110 ) which can provide loading, loading differential and position information as well as other measured parameters, a handle ( 112, 804 ), a lift mechanism ( 302 ), and one or more alignment aid ( 502, 802 ). The position and measurement sensors ( 108, 110 ) communicate with the processing unit ( 406 ) to display, process, and store measured data. A rod ( 604 ) couples a cutting block ( 602 ) to the distractor ( 100 ). The rod ( 604 ) also fixes a position of a cutting block ( 602 ) in relation to the distractor ( 100 ). The cutting block ( 602 ) is coupled to the distractor ( 100 ) to stabilize and align the muscular-skeletal system while shaping a bone.
1. An orthopedic system comprising:
a spacer having a superior surface and an inferior surface for coupling between at least two bones of a muscular-skeletal system;
a handle coupled to the spacer;
a cutting block; and
a rod directly connected to the handle, where the rod is coupled to the cutting block to stabilize and align the cutting block; where the handle has a predetermined alignment to a surface of one of the at least two bones of the muscular-skeletal system and where the surface is aligned to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system; further including an alignment tool coupled to the handle to measure misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis; where the alignment tool comprises at least one laser coupled to the handle; and at least one target coupled to the muscular-skeletal system where the target is positioned to be in alignment with the mechanical axis and where a beam of the laser hits the target to measure the misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis.
2. The system of claim 1 where the alignment tool is a rod coupled to the handle.
3. The system of claim 1 further including at least one sensor in a recess on either the superior or inferior surface of the spacer, where a portion of the at least one sensor forms a portion of the superior surface or a portion of the inferior surface, to measure at least one parameter of the muscular-skeletal system.
4. The system of claim 1 where the handle intersects the mechanical axis.
5. The system of claim 1 where a gap between the superior surface and the inferior surface is adjustable.
6. The system of claim 1 where the at least two bones apply a compressive force on the spacer and where the spacer, rod, and cutting block rigidly position the at least two bones in alignment to the mechanical axis.
7. A distraction system comprising:
a distractor comprising:
a first support structure having a superior surface;
a second support structure having an inferior surface; and
a lift mechanism coupled to interior surfaces of the first and second support structures;
a handle operatively coupled to the lift mechanism;
a cutting block; and
a rod directly connected to the handle, where the rod is coupled to the cutting block to stabilize and align the cutting block to the distractor; further including an alignment tool coupled to the handle of the distractor where at least one surface of the handle has a predetermined alignment with either the superior or inferior surface of the support structure; further including a rod coupled to the handle where the handle aids in determining misalignment to a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system; further including at least one laser coupled to the handle; and at least one target coupled to the muscular-skeletal system where the target is positioned to be in alignment with a mechanical axis of the muscular-skeletal system and where a beam of the laser hits the target to measure the misalignment of the surface to the mechanical axis.
8. The system of claim 7 further including:
at least one sensor coupled to either the first or second support structure for measuring a parameter of a muscular-skeletal system, where a portion of the at least one sensor forms a portion of the superior surface or a portion of the inferior surface; and
a processing unit external to the at least one sensor where the processing unit is in communication with the at least one sensor for receiving measured parameter data.