IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,733,942
Granted Patent B2
US 12,733,942 · App. 19/186,043 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Reaming guide system and method for using same

Inventors: Frank LoPiccolo (North Bergen, NJ); Justin Moidel (Verona, NJ)
Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
A61B17/1764
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,733,942
App. No.
19/186,043
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a hollow reamer and an alignment instrument. The alignment instrument includes a shaft contoured to receive the hollow reamer such that the hollow reamer is translatable therealong. The alignment instrument further includes an articulation component coupled to the distal end of the shaft and a stem coupled to the articulation component. The shaft is configured to articulate relative to the articulation component. Further, the shaft includes a movable component configured to transition the alignment instrument between an unlocked state and a locked state via contact between the movable component and the articulation component. In the unlocked state, the articulation component is configured to articulate with respect to the shaft. In the locked state, the articulation component is configured to be fixed relative to the shaft.

Claims (21)

1 . A system comprising:

a hollow reamer; and

an alignment instrument comprising:

an outer shaft;

an inner shaft disposed in the outer shaft and translatable within the outer shaft;

an articulation member including a ball component and an extension component extending from the ball component, the ball component being enclosed within an end portion of the outer shaft;

and

a stem attached to the extension component,

wherein translation of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft controls locking of the outer shaft relative to the stem, and

wherein when the outer shaft is locked relative to the stem, an angle between a central longitudinal axis of the outer shaft and a central longitudinal axis of the stem is fixed, and when the outer shaft is unlocked relative to the stem, the angle between the central longitudinal axis of the outer shaft and the central longitudinal axis of the stem is adjustable,

wherein the outer shaft of the alignment instrument has an outer surface contoured to slidably receive a hollow reamer such that when the alignment instrument is disposed in a bone cavity of a bone, the hollow reamer is advanceable over the alignment instrument to cut the bone along a position and orientation of the alignment instrument.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment block disposable over the outer shaft of the alignment instrument, the alignment block having a distal surface configured to align the outer shaft based on an external proximal surface of the bone.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the stem has an outer surface contoured to slidably receive the hollow reamer such that when the alignment instrument is disposed in a bone cavity of a bone, the hollow reamer is advanceable over an entirety of the alignment instrument to cut the bone along a position of the alignment instrument.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cap defines an opening sized and shaped to correspond to a distal portion of the shaft.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a lip at a distal end defining a bore sized and shaped to receive the extension component therethrough.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the stem is threadably coupled to the extension component.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner shaft includes a threaded portion at a distal end thereof adapted to contact the ball component to lock the articulation member.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner shaft includes a rotation portion at a proximal end thereof adapted for actuating the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft.

9 . A kit comprising:

the system of claim 1 ; and

a plurality of stems, wherein at least two stems of the plurality of stems have different lengths, each stem of the plurality of stems being adapted to attach to the extension component.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2025
From: LOPICCOLO, FRANK; MOIDEL, JUSTIN
To: HOWMEDICA OSTEONICS CORP.
Reel/Frame 072234/0503 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63636956 · Apr 22, 2024
Related Publication 20250325285A1 · Oct 23, 2025
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