Modular distractor apparatus, system, and method
The present disclosure provides an apparatus, system, and method for positioning, holding, and/or distracting the bones and associated ligaments and tissue of the knee during surgery. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a modular distractor system may provide enhanced structural stability and support of a patient's limb, resulting in a better outcome for the patient. In another aspect, a base plate and carriage assembly are provided for securing the distractor assembly to the operating room table and translating and/or tilting the distractor to accommodate the specific geometry of the limb and surgical operation. In a further aspect, modular distractor components are described which provide for interchangeability and a tailored approach that accommodates variable patient limb size and the specific surgical application. In another aspect, a cross support is disclosed which provides a snap fit to a single or multi-use patient positioner pad and support projections for skin distraction.
1 . A method of operating a distractor system configured to distract a joint of a patient during surgery, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) assembling the distractor system to a side rail of a support table, the distractor system comprising:
a base plate comprising a track disposed on an upper portion thereof, the base plate configured to couple to the side rail of the support table;
a carriage assembly adapted to slidably couple to the track of the base plate, the carriage assembly comprising one or more openings formed therein;
a distractor housing comprising a lower opening configured to couple to an opening of the one or more openings of the carriage assembly;
a distractor assembly disposed within the distractor housing, the distractor assembly comprising:
an extension bracket including an extension opening and being coupled to an extension spring, the extension bracket and extension spring being disposed at least partially within a first body cavity portion of said distractor housing;
a release bracket including a hold portion, a curved portion, and a contact release portion, the hold portion having a release opening, the release bracket being coupled to a compression spring, the release bracket and compression spring being disposed at least partially within a second body cavity portion of the distractor housing; and
a lever including a contact portion, a pivot portion, and a driver portion, the lever being rotatably coupled to the distractor housing at the pivot portion;
a driver assembly comprising a driver rod and a driver support, the driver rod configured to be received within the distractor housing, the driver rod further configured to pass through the compression and extension springs and the extension and release openings, such that when the lever is moved along the contact portion, the lever pushes against the extension bracket to drive the driver support in a linear direction away from the distractor housing from a first position to a second position, and alternatively when the release bracket is depressed at the contact release portion, the driver support returns to said first position; and
a patient positioner pad configured to couple to the driver support of the driver assembly;
(ii) setting the distractor system in said first position;
(iii) coupling the joint of the patient to the patient positioner pad of the distractor system;
(iv) performing one or more raise cycles, each raise cycle comprising: moving the lever of the driver assembly, from a first lever position to a second lever position, to thereby cause the patient positioner pad to move away from the distractor housing, followed by releasing the lever to return to the first lever position, wherein:
performing step (iv) results in moving the distractor system to said second position corresponding to a desired joint distraction;
(v) performing the desired surgery; and
(vi) moving the release lever to cause the patient positioner pad to move toward the distractor housing to thereby return the distractor system to the first position.