US20150265326A1 - Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150265326A1 US20150265326A1 US14/729,768 US201514729768A US2015265326A1 US 20150265326 A1 US20150265326 A1 US 20150265326A1 US 201514729768 A US201514729768 A US 201514729768A US 2015265326 A1 US2015265326 A1 US 2015265326A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wedge member
- bone
- end portion
- apparatus assembly
- internal
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws, setting implements or the like
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/80—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
- A61B17/8095—Wedge osteotomy devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws, setting implements or the like
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/80—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
- A61B17/8004—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates with means for distracting or compressing the bone or bones
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/56—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B17/58—Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws, setting implements or the like
- A61B17/68—Internal fixation devices, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin
- A61B17/80—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
- A61B17/8061—Cortical plates, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates specially adapted for particular bones
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2/30721—Accessories
- A61F2/30734—Modular inserts, sleeves or augments, e.g. placed on proximal part of stem for fixation purposes or wedges for bridging a bone defect
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
- A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
- A61F2/30—Joints
- A61F2002/30001—Additional features of subject-matter classified in A61F2/28, A61F2/30 and subgroups thereof
- A61F2002/30108—Shapes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus in which a wedge member is used to change a spatial relationship between portions of bone in a patient's body.
- a known method for performing an osteotomy includes forming a slot which extends part way through a bone.
- a forked wedge tool is inserted into the slot.
- a plate is then placed in a central opening in the forked wedge tool and positioned against the so bone. The plate is secured to the bone. The forked wedge tool is then removed from the opening.
- the foregoing osteotomy changes the spatial relationship between portions of a bone in a patient's body by forming and maintaining a wedge-shape opening in the bone.
- the spatial relationship between portions of a bone in a patient's body has been changed by removing a wedge-shape piece from the bone. The resulting opening is closed to effect the relative movement between portions of the bone.
- the performance of an osteotomy which includes removing a wedge-shaped piece of bone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,053,039 and 5,601,565.
- the preferred present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for use in changing a spatial relationship between portions of a bone in a patient's body.
- an opening is formed in a portion of the patient's body tissue to at least partially expose the bone.
- Force is applied to the bone with a wedge member to move one portion of the bone relative to another portion of the bone.
- the wedge member may be fixedly connected with either or both portions of the bone.
- the opening in the patient's body is then closed with the wedge member disposed in engagement with the bone. Force can be transmitted between portions of the bone through the wedge member.
- the wedge member may taper from a thick edge to a thin edge and have a side surface which extends from one end of the thin edge, along the thick edge, to the opposite end of the thin edge.
- the side surface of the wedge member may have a cross sectional configuration corresponding to the configuration of a portion of an outer side surface of the bone. This enables the wedge member to be aligned with the outer side surface of the bone.
- the wedge member may be positioned relative to the bone at a location where a layer of hard cortical bone encloses soft cancellous bone. Opposite ends of the thin leading edge of the wedge member may be positioned in engagement with the hard cortical bone while a central portion of the thin edge of the wedge member engages the soft cancellous bone. In addition, the layer of hard cortical bone may engage the wedge member adjacent to the side surface of the wedge member.
- the wedge member may have many different constructions. It is believed that it will be advantageous to form the wedge member with one or more openings through which bone can grow.
- the wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material.
- the wedge member may be hollow and contain material which promotes growth of bone through the wedge member.
- a screw member may extend ahead of the thin leading edge of the wedge member and engage hard cortical bone. Force may be transmitted from the screw member to the wedge member to move the wedge member relative to the bone.
- the wedge member may have a circular cross sectional configuration with an external thread convolution to enable the wedge member to be moved into an opening in a bone by rotating the wedge member.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic posterior illustration of the relationship between bones in a patient's body
- FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration, generally similar to FIG. 1 , illustrating the manner in which a wedge member is utilized to change a spatial relationship between portions of one of the bones of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view, taken generally along the line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 , illustrating the configuration of the wedge member;
- FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, taken generally along the line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 , further illustrating the configuration of the wedge member;
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary sectional view of a portion of one of the bones of FIG. 2 and illustrating the relationship of the wedge member to the bone;
- FIG. 6 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 , further illustrating the relationship of the wedge member to the bone;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view, generally similar to FIG. 5 , illustrating the relationship of a second embodiment of the wedge member to the bone;
- FIG. 8 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7 , further illustrating the relationship of the wedge member to the bone;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic pictorial illustration depicting the construction of a screw which forms another embodiment of the wedge member.
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of an embodiment of the wedge member of FIGS. 3-6 which is hollow and contains material to promote bone growth through the wedge member;
- FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view, generally similar to FIG. 5 , illustrating the relationship of another embodiment of the wedge member to the bone;
- FIG. 12 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 12 - 12 of FIG. 11 and illustrating the configuration of an opening extending through the wedge member of FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 13 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIGS. 5 , 7 and 11 , illustrating the relationship of a stepped wedge member to a bone;
- FIG. 14 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 14 - 14 of FIG. 13 , further illustrating the configuration of the stepped wedge member.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic posterior illustrations of bones in a leg 20 of a patient.
- a tibia bone 22 and fibula bone 24 support a femur bone 26 .
- bones 22 , 24 and 26 in a leg of a patient have been illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , it should be understood that the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used in association with bones in many different portions of a patient's body.
- the upper end portion 30 of the tibia bone 22 is angularly misaligned with the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone.
- the upper end portion 30 of the tibia bone 22 is offset in a counterclockwise direction by approximately 7 degrees from a desired orientation relative to the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone 22 .
- a wedge member 36 FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4 ) is utilized to change the spatial relationship of the upper end portion 30 of the tibia bone 22 relative to the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone.
- the wedge member 36 is formed of a relatively hard rigid material.
- the wedge member 36 is capable of transmitting force between the upper end portion 30 and the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone 22 . This enables the leg 20 of the patient to be weight bearing as soon as the wedge member 36 is positioned in the tibia bone 22 . Thereafter, bone may grow through the wedge member 36 between the upper end portion 30 and lower portion 32 of the tibia bone 22 .
- the wedge member 36 When the wedge member 36 is to be utilized to change the spatial relationship of the upper end portion 30 ( FIG. 2 ) of the tibia bone 22 relative to the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone, an opening is formed in the fleshy part of the body tissue in the leg of the patient to expose the portion of the tibia bone where the wedge member is to be installed. It is contemplated that it may be preferred to install the wedge member 36 approximately two to three millimeters below the upper end of the tibia bone. The specific location where the wedge member 36 is installed will depend upon the surgeon's judgment. It is contemplated that the wedge member 36 may be installed at any one of many locations relative to a particular bone.
- a saw cut is made to form a slot at the location where the wedge member 36 is to be installed.
- the saw cut and resulting slot extend only part way through the tibia bone 22 . This results in the upper end portion 30 of the tibia bone 22 being connected with the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone by a connector or hinge portion 40 ( FIG. 2 ) of the tibia bone.
- the wedge member 36 is moved into tie slot.
- a thin edge 44 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the wedge member 36 is leading and a thick edge 46 of the wedge member trailing as the wedge member moves into the slot.
- the wedge member 36 pivots the upper end portion of the tibia bone in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 2 ) relative to the lower portion of the tibia bone about an axis extending through the connector or hinge portion 40 .
- the wedge member 36 has an outer side surface 50 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) which extends from one end 52 ( FIG. 3 ) of the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 along the thick edge 46 of the wedge member to the opposite end 54 of the thin edge 44 .
- the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 has the same configuration as the outer side surface of the tibia bone 22 at the location where the saw cut formed the slot between the upper end portion 30 and lower portion 32 of the tibia bone.
- the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member may be formed in a plurality of sections.
- outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 has been illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 as forming a portion of a circle, it should be understood that the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 will probably not have a configuration which corresponds to the configuration of a portion of a circle.
- the configuration of the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 conforms to the cross sectional configuration of the outside surface of the bone 22 at the location where the wedge member is to be installed in the bone.
- the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 has a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the outer side surface of the bone 22 at the location where the wedge member is to be installed in the tibia bone ( FIG. 2 ), the outer side surface 50 ( FIG. 3 ) of the wedge member can be moved into alignment with the outer side surface of the bone 22 .
- This enables a hard cortical outer layer of the bone 22 to engage opposite major sides of the wedge member 36 adjacent to the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member.
- the outer layer of hard cortical bone has continuous engagement with the wedge member 36 from the thin edge 44 to the thick edge 46 of the wedge member. This maximizes the extent of engagement of the hard outer layer of cortical bone with the wedge member 36 to avoid stress concentrations in the hard cortical outer layer.
- the wedge member 36 did not have an outer side surface 50 which extended along the outer side surface of the bone 22 from opposite sides of the hinge portion 40 of the bone, the hard cortical outer layer of bone would only be partially supported by the wedge member 36 at the slot in the bone. This would result in the load which is transmitted between the upper end portion 30 of the bone 22 and the lower portion 32 of the bone being concentrated at a relatively small area on the hard cortical outer layer of bone at the opening to the slot.
- the wedge member 36 is fixedly connected with the bone.
- suitable screws 58 FIG. 2
- the mounting strips 60 , 62 and 64 and screws 58 hold the wedge member 36 against movement relative to the bone 22 during subsequent loading of the bone by the patient.
- the opening in the fleshy portion of the leg of the patient is then closed. Since the wedge member 36 has a rigid structure, the leg 20 of the patient can be load bearing immediately after closing of the opening which exposed the bone 22 . With she passage of time, bone grows through the wedge member 36 between the upper end portion 30 and lower portion 32 of the bone 22 .
- the wedge member 36 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) has upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 ( FIG. 4 ).
- the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 slope toward each other from the thick edge 46 to the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 . It is contemplated that a plurality of wedge members 36 having different acute angles between upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 may be provided. This enables a surgeon to select a wedge member 36 having a desired thickness at the thick edge 46 .
- the acute angle between the flat upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 is determined by the extent to which the spatial relationship between the upper end portion 30 and the lower portion 32 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the bone 22 is to be changed by insertion of the wedge member 36 .
- the larger the bone with which the wedge member 36 is used the smaller is the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 66 and 68 to obtain a desired thickness of the wedge member at the thick edge 46 of the wedge member.
- the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 may be within a range between one degree and twenty degrees. Although the specific angle provided between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 will depend upon the environment in which the wedge member is to be utilized, it is believed that the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 may frequently be between two degrees and ten degrees. It should be understood that the foregoing specific ranges of sizes for the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 have been set forth herein for purposes of clarity of description and it is contemplated that the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces may be any one of many angles other than these specific angles.
- the wedge member 36 may be formed of any one of many different known materials which are compatible with a patient's body.
- the wedge member may be formed of human or animal bone, stainless steel, tantalum, a porous ceramic, or a polymeric material.
- the wedge member 36 may be formed of a biodegradable material.
- the wedge member 36 is porous so that bone can grow through the wedge member.
- the wedge member 36 has a plurality of openings or passages 74 which extend through the wedge member between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 .
- the openings 74 enable bone to grow through the wedge member 36 .
- the wedge member 36 may have a cellular construction similar to coral. Alternatively, straight passages may be drilled or cast in the wedge member 36 . It is contemplated that the wedge member 36 may be coated with a material which promotes the growth of bone. If the wedge member 36 has a cellular construction, the cells may be at least partially filled with bone growth promoting material.
- a location for insertion of the wedge member is selected by a surgeon. It is contemplated that it may be desired to locate the wedge member 36 approximately two to five millimeters below the upper end of the tibia bone. However, the specific location at which the wedge member is inserted into the bone 22 will be selected by the surgeon as a function of the result desired from a particular operation.
- a saw slot is formed at the location where the wedge member is to be inserted into the bone.
- the slot extends only part way through the bone.
- the slot extended from the left side of the tibia bone 22 toward the right side to a location which was spaced from the right side of the tibia bone.
- the thickness of the hinge portion 40 will depend upon the location where the wedge member is being installed, the extent to which the spatial relationship between portions of the bone are to be changed by insertion of the wedge member, and the physical characteristics of the bone itself.
- the wedge member 36 is moved into the slot.
- the thin edge 44 of the wedge member is easily inserted into an entry opening to the slot. Force is then applied against the thick edge 46 of the wedge member to move the wedge member further into the slot.
- the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 When the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 is initially positioned in the slot, the thin edge of the wedge member is diametrically opposite from the hinge portion 40 of the bone 22 .
- a longitudinal axis of the thin edge 44 that is an axis extending between the opposite ends 52 and 54 ( FIG. 3 ) of the thin edge, is parallel to the bottom of the slot when the thin edge is initially positioned in the slot.
- an axis perpendicular to the thin edge 44 and extending through the center of the wedge member 36 is aligned with an axis extending perpendicular to the bottom of inner edge of the slot and extending through the center of the bone 22 .
- the wedge member 36 is then moved into the slot along a linear path which extends perpendicular to the bottom or inner end of the slot and to the thin edge 44 of the wedge member.
- the upper major side surface 68 FIGS. 4 and 5
- the lower major side surface 70 of the wedge member slides along and applies force against the lower portion 32 of the tibia bone 22 .
- the wedge member 36 is moved into the slot under the influence of force applied against the trailing thick edge portion 46 .
- the wedge member 36 could be mounted at many different locations in many different types of bone, the wedge member 36 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 as being positioned in the tibia bone 22 at a location in which an outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone extends around a core 90 of soft cancellous bone.
- the central portion of the thin leading edge 44 engages the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone at the entry to the slot on a side of the bone 22 opposite from the hinge or connector portion 40 .
- Force is applied against the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone by the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of the wedge member 36 at a location adjacent to the center of the opening to the slot.
- the force applied against the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone by the thin leading end portion of the wedge member 36 initiates pivotal movement of the upper end portion 30 of the bone 22 about an axis extend through the hinge portion 40 .
- the area of engagement of the thin leading edge 44 of the wedge member with the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone moves outward from a central portion of the thin leading edge 44 toward the opposite ends 52 and 54 of the thin leading edge 44 ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ).
- the upper and lower major sides 68 and 70 of the wedge member move into engagement with the layer 80 of hard cortical bone along opposite sides of the bone 22 .
- the central portion of the thin edge 44 engages the core 90 of soft cancellous bone.
- the central portion of the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 engages the core 90 of soft cancellous boner portions of the thin edge 44 on opposite sides of the central portion of the thin edge are in engagement with the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone.
- the central portion of the thin edge 44 may or may not engage the core 90 of soft cancellous bone before the opposite ends 52 and 54 of the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 move into initial engagement with the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone.
- the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of the wedge member 36 are sliding along the portion of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone disposed behind the thin leading edge 44 of the wedge member 36 , that is, to the left as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the upper portion 30 of the bone pivoted relative to the lower portion 32 by force applied against the upper and lower portions of the bone by the wedge member 36 .
- the upper end portion 30 of the bone 22 is pivoted relative to the lower portion 32 of the bone about an axis extending parallel to the thin leading edge 44 of the wedge member 36 and extending through the connector or hinge portion 40 of the bone 22 .
- the outer side surface 50 on the wedge member 36 When the outer side surface 50 on the wedge member 36 is moved into alignment with the outer side surface 94 on the bone 22 , the outer side surface 50 on the wedge member 36 will form a continuation of the outer side surface 94 of the bone 22 . Although perfect alignment of the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 with the outer side surface 94 of the bone is desired, there may be a slight misalignment or discontinuity where the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 is aligned with the outer side surface 94 of the bone 22 .
- the wedge member 36 has been shown as being formed as a portion of a circle with the thin edge 44 being a chord of the circle.
- the wedge member 36 it is believed that it will be preferred to form the wedge member 36 with a configuration which matches the configuration of the bone 22 in which the wedge member is to be inserted.
- the bone 22 may have an irregular outer side surface 94 which is not formed as a portion of a circle.
- the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 would have a matching irregular configuration and would not be formed as a portion of a cylinder.
- the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 By having the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 have a configuration which is the same as the configuration as the outer surface 94 of the bone 22 , almost perfect alignment can be obtained between the wedge member 36 and the bone 22 . Although there may be some misalignment of the wedge member 36 and outer side surface 94 of the bone 22 , the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone is disposed in engagement with the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of the wedge member 36 adjacent to the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member throughout the extent of the outer side surface of the wedge member.
- the area for transmittal of force between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 ( FIG. 5 ) of the wedge member and the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone is maximized. This is because the entire extent of the outer layer 80 of cortical bone which has been cut to form the slot is disposed in engagement with the wedge member 36 .
- the only portion of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone which does not engage the wedge member 36 is the portion of the outer layer of hard cortical bone which is disposed in the connector or hinge portion 40 of the tibia bone 22 ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Therefore, there is no open space between surfaces on the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone where the slot was formed. This minimizes any tendency for stress concentrations to occur due to insertion of the wedge member 36 into the bone 22 .
- the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 is considered as being aligned with the outer side surface 94 of the bone 22 when there is a slight discontinuity between the outer side surface 94 of the bone and the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 .
- the extent of this discontinuity should be minimized.
- Close alignment of the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 with the surface 94 on the bone 22 maximizes the extent of engagement of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone with the wedge member.
- close alignment of the outer side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 with the surface 94 on the bone 22 minimizes the extent to which the wedge member projects outward from the outer side surface of the bone.
- the screws 58 are used to fixedly connect the wedge member 36 with the upper end portion 30 and lower portion 32 of the bone 22 .
- the screws 58 engage the outer layer of hard cortical bone ( FIG. 5 ) to hold the wedge member 36 against movement relative to the borne 22 . It is contemplated that the wedge member 36 could be connected with the bone 22 in a manner other than by using screws 58 .
- the wedge member 36 Since the wedge member 36 is rigid, it can immediately transmit loads between the upper end portion 30 and lower portion 32 of the tibia bone 22 . Therefore, after the incision which exposed the site at which the wedge member 36 is inserted into the bone 22 has been closed, the patient can begin to apply weight to the leg 20 . This weight will be transmitted through the entire extent of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone. Thus, the portion of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone in the connector or hinge portion 40 of the tibia bone 22 is not severed and can transmit force in the usual manner. The portion of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone which was cut to form the slot into which the wedge 36 was inserted, engages the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of the wedge member 36 . Since the wedge member 36 is rigid, force can be transmitted between the portions of the outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone which engage the wedge member.
- the central portion of the wedge member 36 engages the core 90 of soft cancellous bone. Since the wedge member 36 is porous, the soft cancellous bone can grow through openings formed in the wedge member 36 to fuse the upper end portion 30 and lower portion 32 of the bone 22 .
- the growth of the soft cancellous bone through the wedge member 36 may be promoted by coating the wedge member with known bone growth inducing substances.
- the hard cortical bone of the outer layer 80 will eventually grow through openings 74 in the wedge member 36 .
- the openings 74 which extend through the wedge member 36 , may have a straight cylindrical configuration or may have an irregular configuration, similar to the configuration of openings or cavities formed in natural coral.
- the wedge member 36 is positioned in bone 22 at a location where an outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone extends around a core 90 of soft cancellous bone.
- the wedge member 36 could be used at locations where one or both major side surfaces 68 and 70 are engaged by only hard cortical bone.
- the wedge member 36 has been illustrated in FIG. 2 being used in a bone 22 in a patient's leg 20 , the wedge member could be used with other bones.
- the wedge member 36 could be used in association with bones in a patient's arm, wrist, hand, ankle or foot.
- the openings 74 a are provided in the wedge member 36 a to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. If desired, the openings 74 a could be omitted.
- the wedge member 36 illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 the wedge member is pushed into a slot formed in the bone 22 by the application of force against the thick edge 46 of the wedge member.
- a long thin screw member is utilized to guide at least a portion of the movement of the wedge member into the bone and to apply force to the wedge member to pull the wedge member into the slot formed in the bone. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “a” being associated with the numerals of FIGS. 7 and 8 to avoid confusion.
- a wedge member 36 a is inserted into a bone 22 a to change the spatial relationship of an upper portion 30 a ( FIG. 7 ) of the bone relative to a lower portion 32 a of the bone.
- the wedge member 36 a has a thin edge 44 a and a thick edge 46 a .
- An outer side surface 50 a ( FIG. 8 ) extends between opposite ends 52 a and 54 a of the thin edge 44 a ( FIG. 8 ).
- Upper and lower major side surfaces 68 a and 70 a ( FIG. 7 ) extend between the thin edge 44 a and the thick edge 46 a .
- the flat upper and lower major side surfaces 68 a and 70 a are skewed at an acute angle relative to each other.
- Openings 74 a extend through the wedge member 36 a to enable bone to grow through the wedge member.
- the opening 74 a may have a straight cylindrical configuration or may have an irregular configuration, similar to openings formed in natural coral.
- the wedge member 36 a may be coated with bone growth promoting material and/or the openings 74 a filled with bone growth promoting material. If desired, the openings 74 a may be omitted.
- a plurality of mounting strips 60 a , 62 a and 64 a engage an outer side surface 94 a of the bone 22 a .
- Suitable fasteners 58 a connect the wedge member 36 a with the bone 22 a .
- the outer side surface 50 a or the wedge member 36 a is aligned with the outer side surface 94 a of the bone 22 a.
- the wedge member 36 a has the same general construction as the wedge member 36 of FIGS. 1-6 .
- the wedge member 36 a is inserted into a slot formed in the bone 22 a in much the same manner as previously described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 .
- a screw member 100 is utilized to guide movement of the wedge member 36 a relative to the bone 22 a and to apply force to the wedge member 36 a to pull the wedge member into a slot formed in the bone 22 a.
- the screw member 100 has a straight elongated shank 102 ( FIG. 7 ) which extends through the wedge member 36 a .
- a head end portion 104 of the screw member 100 is fixedly connected with the shank 102 and disposed in a suitable recess formed in the wedge member 36 a .
- An opening 106 is formed in the mounting strip 62 a to provide access to the head end portion 104 of the screw member 100 .
- the screw member 100 has en externally threaded end portion 110 disposed on the end of the shank 102 opposite from the head end portion 104 .
- the externally threaded end 110 of the screw member 100 is engageable with the outer layer 80 a of hard cortical bone at the hinge or connector section 40 a of the bone 22 a.
- the wedge member 36 a When the wedge member 36 a is to be inserted into a slot in the bone 22 a , the wedge member 36 a is moved into the slot in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 . As the wedge member 36 a approaches the position shown in FIG. 7 , the externally threaded end 110 of the screw member 100 engages an inner side surface 114 of the outer layer 80 a of hard cortical bone. The head end portion 104 of the screw member 100 is then rotated. This causes the externally threaded end portion 110 of the screw member to move into threaded engagement with the outer layer 80 a of hard cortical bone.
- the wedge member 36 a has been illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 at a location where a layer 80 a of hard cortical bone encloses a core 90 a of soft cancellous bone, the wedge member 36 a could be used at a location where the wedge member engages only hard cortical bone. Although it is preferred to provide the openings 74 a to enable bone to grow through the wedge member 36 a , the openings may be omitted if desired.
- the wedge member has flat major side surfaces which extend from a relatively thick edge 46 of the wedge member to a relatively thin edge 44 of the wedge member.
- the wedge member is formed as an axially tapered screw. Since the wedge member of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 changes the spatial relationship between end portions of a bone in a patient's body in a manner similar to that explained in conjunction with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-7 , similar numerals will be utilized to identify components of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 , the suffix letter “b” being associated with the numerals of FIG. 9 to avoid confusion.
- a wedge member 36 b has a thin edge or point 44 b and a thick edge or head 46 b ( FIG. 9 ).
- a mounting strip 62 b is connected with the thick edge 46 b and engages an outer side surface of a bone to limit movement of the wedge member 36 b relative to the bone.
- a side surface 50 b on the thick edge 46 b of the wedge member 36 b is aligned with an outer side surface of the bone when the mounting strip 62 b engages the outer side surface of the bone.
- the wedge member 36 b has a spiral external thread convolution 116 .
- the thread convolution 116 has a generally conical configuration and tapers from the thick edge 50 b of the wedge member 36 b to the thin edge or point 44 b of the wedge member 36 b.
- a slot is formed in the bone in the same manner as previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-8 .
- the wedge member 36 b is then screwed into the slot.
- force may be applied to the mounting strip 62 b to rotate the wedge member 36 b about its longitudinal central axis.
- a socket may be provided in the thick edge 46 b to receive a suitable tool which transmits torque to the wedge member 36 b.
- the external thread convolution 116 on the wedge member 36 b cooperates with the hard cancellous outer layer of the bone to effect axial movement of the wedge member into the slot in the bone.
- the portion of the bone corresponding to the upper end portion 30 of FIG. 2 , pivots relative to a lower portion 32 . This results in a change in the spatial relationship between the upper portion and lower portion of the bone.
- a longitudinal central axis of the wedge member Prior to moving the wedge member 36 b into the slot in the bone, a longitudinal central axis of the wedge member is aligned with an axis which is perpendicular to a bottom of the slot and extends through the center of the bone.
- the wedge member 36 b is then rotated about its longitudinal central axis.
- the wedge member moves along a straight path which extends perpendicular to an axis about which the upper end portion of the bone is pivoted relative to the lower portion of the bone. Movement of the wedge member 36 b into the slot is interrupted with the thin edge or point 44 b spaced from a connector or hinge portion of the bone which interconnects the upper end portion and lower portion of the bone.
- a plurality of openings 74 b are formed in the wedge member 36 b to enable bone to grow through the wedge member in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 .
- the wedge member 36 b is coated with a bone growth promoting material.
- the wedge member 36 b may be hollow to provide a cavity to hold bone growth promoting material.
- the wedge member has openings to enable bone to grow through the wedge member.
- the wedge member is hollow to provide a cavity which holds bone growth promoting material. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-9 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “c” being associated with the embodiment of FIG. 10 to avoid confusion.
- a wedge member 36 c ( FIG. 10 .) has a thin edge 44 c and a thick edge 46 c .
- An outer side surface 50 c extends between opposite ends of the thin edge 44 c in the same manner as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 for the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 2-6 .
- the wedge member 36 c has the same overall configuration as the wedge member 36 of FIGS. 2-6 .
- a mounting strip 62 c is connected with the thick edge 44 c of the wedge member 36 c .
- Additional mounting strips corresponding to the mounting strips 60 and 64 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 , are provided on the wedge member 36 c .
- the mounting strip 62 c engages the outer side surface of the bone. Suitable fasteners may be used to interconnect the bone and the mounting strip 62 c .
- FIG. 10 Although only a single mounting strip 62 c has been illustrated in FIG. 10 , it should be understood that additional mounting strips, corresponding to the mounting strips 62 and 64 of FIG. 3 , are associated with the wedge member 36 c.
- the wedge member 36 c has a flat upper major side surface 68 c and a flat lower major side surface 70 c .
- the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 c and 70 c have the same configuration as the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 .
- the outer side surface 50 c has the same configuration as the outer side surface 50 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 .
- the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 c and 70 c ( FIG. 10 ) are disposed at an acute angle and taper from the thick edge 46 c to the thin edge 44 c of the wedge member 36 c.
- the wedge member 36 c is rigid to enable it to be weight bearing as soon as it is positioned in a bone.
- the wedge member 36 c could be formed of many different materials, it is formed of stainless steel.
- the wedge member 36 c ( FIG. 10 ) is hollow. Therefore, a compartment or cavity 120 is formed in the wedge member 36 c .
- the compartment 120 has upper and lower inner side surfaces 122 and 124 which are smaller than the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 c and 70 c of the wedge member 36 c .
- the inner side surfaces 122 and 124 of the compartment 120 have the same general configuration as the upper and lower major side surfacers 68 c and 70 c of the wedge member 36 c.
- the compartment 120 is filled with a bone growth inducing material 130 .
- the bone growth inducing material 130 is (not shown) formed in either the upper major side surface 68 c or the lower major side surface 70 c of the wedge member 36 c .
- the growth of bone through the wedge member 36 c is promoted by the bone growth inducing material 130 in the compartment 120 .
- the bone growth inducing material 130 in the compartment 120 may be any one of many known compositions. For example, apatite compositions with collagen may be utilized. Demineralized bone powder may also be utilized. Regardless of which of the known bone growth inducing materials are selected, the presence of the bone growth inducing material in the compartment 120 will promote a growth of bone through the openings 74 c in the wedge member 36 c.
- the wedge member 36 c may, itself, be formed of a suitable rigid material, such as tantalum or stainless steel. In addition to the bone growth inducing material 130 in the compartment 120 , the surfaces of the wedge member 36 c and the openings 74 c may be coated with suitable bone growth inducing materials. Although the wedge member 36 c has been shown as having straight cylindrical openings 74 c through which bone grows, the wedge member 360 could have an open celled construction if desired.
- a plurality of relatively small openings 74 extend through the various wedge members to enable bone to grow through the wedge members.
- a relatively large central opening is provided in the wedge member to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-10 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “d” being associated with the numerals of FIGS. 11 and 12 to avoid confusion.
- a wedge member 36 d ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) has a thin edge 44 d and a thick edge 46 d .
- An outer side surface 50 d extends between opposite ends 52 d and 54 d ( FIG. 12 ) of the thin edge 44 d .
- the outer side surface 50 d has a configuration which corresponds to the configuration of an outer side surface 94 d of a bone 22 d ( FIG. 11 ).
- the wedge member 36 d has flat upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d which are skewed at an acute angle relative to each other and extend between the thin edge 44 d and the thick edge 46 d of the wedge member 36 d.
- the wedge member 36 d has the same overall configuration as the wedge member 36 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 .
- the side surface 50 d ( FIG. 12 ) has the same configuration as the side surface 50 of FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) have outer edge portions with the same configuration as the outer edge portion of the major side surfaces 68 and 70 of FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- mounting strips 60 d , 62 d , and 64 d on the wedge member 36 d move into abutting engagement with the outer side surface 94 d of the bone 22 d ( FIG. 17 ).
- the mounting strips 60 d , 62 d , and 64 d are fixedly connected with the upper end portion 30 d and lower portion 32 d of the bone 22 d by suitable fasteners 58 d .
- the fasteners 58 d retain the wedge member 36 d against movement from a position in which the side surface 50 d is aligned with the outer side surface 94 d of the bone 22 d.
- an upper portion 30 d ( FIG. 11 ) of the bone 22 d is pivoted relative to a lower portion 32 d to change the spatial relationship between the upper portion 30 d and lower portion 32 d of the bone 22 d .
- the upper portion 30 d of the bone 22 d pivots about an axis which extends parallel to the thin edge 44 d of the wedge member 36 d .
- the axis about which the upper portion 30 d of the bone pivots extends through the hinge or connector portion 40 d of the bone 22 d and is parallel to the bottom of the slot formed in the bone 22 d to receive the wedge member 36 d.
- the wedge member 36 d has a large central opening 134 through which bone may grow.
- the openings 134 extends between upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d of the wedge member 36 d .
- the opening 134 is configured in such a manner that the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d of the wedge member 36 d engage an outer layer 80 d of hard cortical bone throughout movement of the wedge member 36 d into the slot formed in the bone 22 d.
- the large opening 134 enables the core 90 d of soft cancellous bone to easily grow through the wedge member 36 d .
- material 130 d FIG. 11
- the outer layer 80 d of hard cortical bone is disposed in abutting engagement with opposite major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d on the wedge member 36 d throughout the extent of the opening to the slot into which the wedge member is inserted.
- Relatively small openings 74 d are provided in the wedge member 36 d to enable hard cortical bone to grow through the wedge member.
- the opening 134 has a configuration which is similar to but smaller than the overall configuration of the wedge member 36 d .
- the opening 134 has a flat, rectangular side surface 136 which extends parallel to the thin edge 44 d of the wedge member 36 d .
- the opening 134 has an arcuate side surface 138 which is spaced substantially the same distance from the outer side surface 50 d throughout the extent of the side surface 138 of the opening 134 and the side surface 50 d of the wedge member 36 d.
- the mounting strips 60 d , 62 d and 64 d move into abutting engagement with the outer side surface 94 d of the bone.
- Suitable fasteners 58 d can then be utilized to connect the wedge member 36 d with the upper end portion 30 d and the lower portion 32 d of the bone 22 d .
- the fasteners 58 d maintain the outer side surface 50 d on the wedge member 36 d in alignment with the outer side surface 94 d of the bone 22 d.
- the wedge member has flat major side surfaces.
- the wedge member has major side surfaces with a stepped configuration. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 , similar numerals will be utilized to identify similar components, the suffix letter “e” being associated with the numerals of FIGS. 13 and 14 to avoid confusion.
- a wedge member 36 e is used to change a spatial relationship between an upper end portion 30 e and a lower portion 32 e of a bone 22 e ( FIG. 13 ).
- the wedge member 36 e includes a thin edge 44 e and a thick edge 46 e .
- the wedge member 36 e has an outer side surface 50 e which extends between opposite ends 52 e and 54 e ( FIG. 14 ) of the thin edge 44 e .
- the wedge member 36 e has ant upper major side 68 e ( FIG. 13 ) and a lower major side 70 e.
- a plurality of mounting strips 60 e , 62 e and 64 e move into abutting engagement with an outer side surface 94 e of the bone 22 e when the wedge member 36 e is inserted into a slot formed in the bone in the manner previously explained.
- the upper end portion 30 e of the bone 22 e pivots about an axis which extends through a connector or hinge portion 40 e of the bone.
- the axis about which the upper portion 30 e of the bone pivots extends parallel to the thin edge 44 e of the wedge member 36 e.
- the outer side surface 50 e is in alignment with the outer side surface 94 e of the bone 22 e .
- Suitable fasteners 58 e are utilized to connect the wedge member 46 e with the upper end portion 30 e and lower portion 32 e of the bone 22 e in the manner previously explained.
- the wedge member 36 e includes a surface area 154 which extends outward from the surface area 152 to the outer side surface 50 e of the wedge member 36 e .
- the surface 154 slopes at an acute angle relative to the lower side surface 70 e of the wedge member 36 e .
- the angle which the surface 154 makes with the dower side surface 70 e is greater than the angle which the surface area 150 makes with the lower side surface 70 e .
- the angle which the surface area 150 makes with the lower side surface 70 e of the wedge member 36 e is less than the angle which the surface area 152 makes with the lower side surface 70 e ( FIG. 13 ).
- the surface area 154 extends a substantially constant distance from the outer side surface 50 e of the wedge member 36 e throughout the extent of the surface area 154 ( FIG. 14 ). Since the surface area 152 extends between the surface area 150 and the surface area 154 ( FIG. 14 ) the extent of the surface area 152 varies as a function of the distance of the surface area from a perpendicular to the thin edge 44 e and through the center of wedge member 36 e . The resulting stepped configuration of the wedge member 36 e facilitates initial movement of the wedge member into the slot formed in the bone 22 e.
- a plurality of openings 74 e extend through the wedge member 36 e .
- the openings 74 e enable bone to grow through the wedge member 36 e
- the openings 74 e may have a straight cylindrical configuration or may have an open-celled structure.
- the wedge member 36 e may be coated with bone growth promoting material and/or the openings 74 e may be at least partially filled with bone growth promoting material.
- An outer layer 80 e of hard cortical bone is disposed in engagement with the surface area 154 adjacent to the outer side surface 50 e of the wedge member 36 e .
- the portion of the outer layer 80 e of hard cortical bone exposed by formation of the slot in the bone also engages the lower major side surface 70 e of the wedge member 36 e .
- the wedge member 36 e is formed of a rigid material which is capable of transmitting force between the upper end portion 30 e and the lower portion 32 e of the bone 22 e . Therefore, the bone is immediately weight supporting when the wedge member 36 e is positioned in the bone in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 .
- the present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for use in changing a spatial relationship between portions of a bone 22 in a patient's body.
- an opening is formed in a portion of the patient's body tissue to at least partially expose the bone 22 .
- Force is applied to the bone 22 with a wedge member 36 to move one portion 30 of the bone relative to another portion 32 of the bone.
- the wedge member 36 may be fixedly connected with either or both portions of the bone.
- the opening in the patient's body is then closed with the wedge member 36 disposed in engagement with the bone 22 . Force can be transmitted between portions 30 and 32 of the bone 22 through the wedge member 36 .
- the wedge member 36 may taper from a thick edge 46 to a thin edge 44 and have a side surface 50 which extends from one end 52 of the thin edge, along the thick edge, to the opposite end 54 of the thin edge.
- the side surface 50 of the wedge member 36 has a cross sectional configuration corresponding to the configuration of a portion of an outer side surface 94 of the bone 22 . This enables the wedge member 36 to be aligned with the outer side surface 94 of the bone 22 .
- the wedge member 36 may be positioned relative to the bone 22 at a location where a layer 80 of hard cortical bone encloses soft cancellous bone 90 . Opposite ends 52 and 54 of the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 may be positioned in engagement with the hard cortical bone 80 while a central portion of the thin edge 44 of the wedge member 36 engages the soft cancellous bone. In addition, the layer 80 of hard cortical bone may engage the wedge member 36 adjacent to the side surface 50 of the wedge member.
- the wedge member 36 may have many different constructions. It is believed that it will be advantageous to form the wedge member 36 with one or more openings 74 through which bone can grow.
- the wedge member 36 may be hollow and contain material 130 which promotes the growth of bone through the wedge member.
- a screw member 100 may extend ahead of the thin leading edge 44 of the wedge member 36 and engage hard cortical bone. Force may be transmitted from the screw member 100 to the wedge member 36 to move the wedge member relative to the bone.
- the wedge member 36 may have a circular cross sectional configuration with an external thread convolution 116 to enable the wedge member to be moved into an opening in a bone by rotating the wedge member.
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Abstract
An implantable device includes a body and a first mounting strip connected to a trailing end portion of the body. The body has a leading end portion, a first side surface, a second side surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The central opening has an internal surface with an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface. A first depth is defined between the leading end and the internal leading surface, a first spacing is defined between the first side surface and the first internal side surface and a second spacing is defined between the second side surface and the second internal side surface. The first spacing is substantially the same as the second spacing.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/572,980, filed Dec. 17, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/445,784, filed Jul. 29, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,322, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/847,325, filed Mar. 19, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,795,363, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/928,400, filed Oct. 30, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,944, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/438,705, filed May 15, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,486,066, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/566,070, filed May 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,982, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/109,126, filed Jun. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,593, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus in which a wedge member is used to change a spatial relationship between portions of bone in a patient's body.
- A known method for performing an osteotomy includes forming a slot which extends part way through a bone. A forked wedge tool is inserted into the slot. A plate is then placed in a central opening in the forked wedge tool and positioned against the so bone. The plate is secured to the bone. The forked wedge tool is then removed from the opening. This method of performing an osteotomy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,448.
- The foregoing osteotomy changes the spatial relationship between portions of a bone in a patient's body by forming and maintaining a wedge-shape opening in the bone. In other known methods, the spatial relationship between portions of a bone in a patient's body has been changed by removing a wedge-shape piece from the bone. The resulting opening is closed to effect the relative movement between portions of the bone. The performance of an osteotomy which includes removing a wedge-shaped piece of bone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,053,039 and 5,601,565.
- The preferred present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for use in changing a spatial relationship between portions of a bone in a patient's body. When this is to be done, an opening is formed in a portion of the patient's body tissue to at least partially expose the bone. Force is applied to the bone with a wedge member to move one portion of the bone relative to another portion of the bone. The wedge member may be fixedly connected with either or both portions of the bone. The opening in the patient's body is then closed with the wedge member disposed in engagement with the bone. Force can be transmitted between portions of the bone through the wedge member.
- The wedge member may taper from a thick edge to a thin edge and have a side surface which extends from one end of the thin edge, along the thick edge, to the opposite end of the thin edge. The side surface of the wedge member may have a cross sectional configuration corresponding to the configuration of a portion of an outer side surface of the bone. This enables the wedge member to be aligned with the outer side surface of the bone.
- The wedge member may be positioned relative to the bone at a location where a layer of hard cortical bone encloses soft cancellous bone. Opposite ends of the thin leading edge of the wedge member may be positioned in engagement with the hard cortical bone while a central portion of the thin edge of the wedge member engages the soft cancellous bone. In addition, the layer of hard cortical bone may engage the wedge member adjacent to the side surface of the wedge member.
- It is contemplated that the wedge member may have many different constructions. It is believed that it will be advantageous to form the wedge member with one or more openings through which bone can grow. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be hollow and contain material which promotes growth of bone through the wedge member.
- A screw member may extend ahead of the thin leading edge of the wedge member and engage hard cortical bone. Force may be transmitted from the screw member to the wedge member to move the wedge member relative to the bone. Alternatively, the wedge member may have a circular cross sectional configuration with an external thread convolution to enable the wedge member to be moved into an opening in a bone by rotating the wedge member.
- The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic posterior illustration of the relationship between bones in a patient's body; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration, generally similar toFIG. 1 , illustrating the manner in which a wedge member is utilized to change a spatial relationship between portions of one of the bones ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view, taken generally along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 , illustrating the configuration of the wedge member; -
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, taken generally along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 , further illustrating the configuration of the wedge member; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary sectional view of a portion of one of the bones ofFIG. 2 and illustrating the relationship of the wedge member to the bone; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 5 , further illustrating the relationship of the wedge member to the bone; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view, generally similar toFIG. 5 , illustrating the relationship of a second embodiment of the wedge member to the bone; -
FIG. 8 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 8-8 ofFIG. 7 , further illustrating the relationship of the wedge member to the bone; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic pictorial illustration depicting the construction of a screw which forms another embodiment of the wedge member; -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of an embodiment of the wedge member ofFIGS. 3-6 which is hollow and contains material to promote bone growth through the wedge member; -
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view, generally similar toFIG. 5 , illustrating the relationship of another embodiment of the wedge member to the bone; -
FIG. 12 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 12-12 ofFIG. 11 and illustrating the configuration of an opening extending through the wedge member ofFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view, similar toFIGS. 5 , 7 and 11, illustrating the relationship of a stepped wedge member to a bone; and -
FIG. 14 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 14-14 ofFIG. 13 , further illustrating the configuration of the stepped wedge member. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic posterior illustrations of bones in aleg 20 of a patient. Atibia bone 22 andfibula bone 24 support afemur bone 26. Althoughbones FIGS. 1 and 2 , it should be understood that the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used in association with bones in many different portions of a patient's body. - In
FIG. 1 , theupper end portion 30 of thetibia bone 22 is angularly misaligned with thelower portion 32 of the tibia bone. Thus, inFIG. 1 , theupper end portion 30 of thetibia bone 22 is offset in a counterclockwise direction by approximately 7 degrees from a desired orientation relative to thelower portion 32 of thetibia bone 22. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, a wedge member 36 (FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4) is utilized to change the spatial relationship of theupper end portion 30 of thetibia bone 22 relative to thelower portion 32 of the tibia bone. - The
wedge member 36 is formed of a relatively hard rigid material. Thewedge member 36 is capable of transmitting force between theupper end portion 30 and thelower portion 32 of thetibia bone 22. This enables theleg 20 of the patient to be weight bearing as soon as thewedge member 36 is positioned in thetibia bone 22. Thereafter, bone may grow through thewedge member 36 between theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thetibia bone 22. - When the
wedge member 36 is to be utilized to change the spatial relationship of the upper end portion 30 (FIG. 2 ) of thetibia bone 22 relative to thelower portion 32 of the tibia bone, an opening is formed in the fleshy part of the body tissue in the leg of the patient to expose the portion of the tibia bone where the wedge member is to be installed. It is contemplated that it may be preferred to install thewedge member 36 approximately two to three millimeters below the upper end of the tibia bone. The specific location where thewedge member 36 is installed will depend upon the surgeon's judgment. It is contemplated that thewedge member 36 may be installed at any one of many locations relative to a particular bone. - A saw cut is made to form a slot at the location where the
wedge member 36 is to be installed. The saw cut and resulting slot extend only part way through thetibia bone 22. This results in theupper end portion 30 of thetibia bone 22 being connected with thelower portion 32 of the tibia bone by a connector or hinge portion 40 (FIG. 2 ) of the tibia bone. - Once a slot has been formed between the
upper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of the tibia bone, thewedge member 36 is moved into tie slot. A thin edge 44 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of thewedge member 36 is leading and athick edge 46 of the wedge member trailing as the wedge member moves into the slot. As thewedge member 36 is forced into the slot between theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of the tibia bone 22 (FIG. 2 ), the wedge member pivots the upper end portion of the tibia bone in a clockwise direction (as viewed inFIG. 2 ) relative to the lower portion of the tibia bone about an axis extending through the connector or hingeportion 40. - The
wedge member 36 has an outer side surface 50 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ) which extends from one end 52 (FIG. 3 ) of thethin edge 44 of thewedge member 36 along thethick edge 46 of the wedge member to theopposite end 54 of thethin edge 44. Theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 has the same configuration as the outer side surface of thetibia bone 22 at the location where the saw cut formed the slot between theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of the tibia bone. Theouter side surface 50 of the wedge member may be formed in a plurality of sections. - Although the
outer side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 has been illustrated schematically inFIG. 3 as forming a portion of a circle, it should be understood that theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 will probably not have a configuration which corresponds to the configuration of a portion of a circle. The configuration of theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 conforms to the cross sectional configuration of the outside surface of thebone 22 at the location where the wedge member is to be installed in the bone. - Since the
outer side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 has a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the outer side surface of thebone 22 at the location where the wedge member is to be installed in the tibia bone (FIG. 2 ), the outer side surface 50 (FIG. 3 ) of the wedge member can be moved into alignment with the outer side surface of thebone 22. This enables a hard cortical outer layer of thebone 22 to engage opposite major sides of thewedge member 36 adjacent to theouter side surface 50 of the wedge member. The outer layer of hard cortical bone has continuous engagement with thewedge member 36 from thethin edge 44 to thethick edge 46 of the wedge member. This maximizes the extent of engagement of the hard outer layer of cortical bone with thewedge member 36 to avoid stress concentrations in the hard cortical outer layer. - If the
wedge member 36 did not have anouter side surface 50 which extended along the outer side surface of thebone 22 from opposite sides of thehinge portion 40 of the bone, the hard cortical outer layer of bone would only be partially supported by thewedge member 36 at the slot in the bone. This would result in the load which is transmitted between theupper end portion 30 of thebone 22 and thelower portion 32 of the bone being concentrated at a relatively small area on the hard cortical outer layer of bone at the opening to the slot. - Once the
wedge member 36 has been positioned relative to thebone 22, in the manner illustrated inFIG. 2 , the wedge member is fixedly connected with the bone. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, suitable screws 58 (FIG. 2 ) are used to fixedly connect mountingstrips FIG. 3 ) with theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thetibia bone 22. The mounting strips 60, 62 and 64 and screws 58 hold thewedge member 36 against movement relative to thebone 22 during subsequent loading of the bone by the patient. The opening in the fleshy portion of the leg of the patient is then closed. Since thewedge member 36 has a rigid structure, theleg 20 of the patient can be load bearing immediately after closing of the opening which exposed thebone 22. With she passage of time, bone grows through thewedge member 36 between theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thebone 22. - The wedge member 36 (
FIGS. 3 and 4 ) has upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 (FIG. 4 ). The upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 slope toward each other from thethick edge 46 to thethin edge 44 of thewedge member 36. It is contemplated that a plurality ofwedge members 36 having different acute angles between upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 may be provided. This enables a surgeon to select awedge member 36 having a desired thickness at thethick edge 46. - The acute angle between the flat upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 is determined by the extent to which the spatial relationship between the
upper end portion 30 and the lower portion 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of thebone 22 is to be changed by insertion of thewedge member 36. Of course, the larger the bone with which thewedge member 36 is used, the smaller is the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 66 and 68 to obtain a desired thickness of the wedge member at thethick edge 46 of the wedge member. - It is believed that it may be desired to have the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 be within a range between one degree and twenty degrees. Although the specific angle provided between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 will depend upon the environment in which the wedge member is to be utilized, it is believed that the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 may frequently be between two degrees and ten degrees. It should be understood that the foregoing specific ranges of sizes for the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 have been set forth herein for purposes of clarity of description and it is contemplated that the angle between the upper and lower major side surfaces may be any one of many angles other than these specific angles.
- The
wedge member 36 may be formed of any one of many different known materials which are compatible with a patient's body. For example, the wedge member may be formed of human or animal bone, stainless steel, tantalum, a porous ceramic, or a polymeric material. If desired, thewedge member 36 may be formed of a biodegradable material. However, it is preferred to have thewedge member 36 formed of a rigid material which is capable of enabling theleg 20 to be weight bearing immediately after thewedge member 36 has been installed in thebone 22. - The
wedge member 36 is porous so that bone can grow through the wedge member. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, thewedge member 36 has a plurality of openings orpassages 74 which extend through the wedge member between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70. Theopenings 74 enable bone to grow through thewedge member 36. - It is believed that it may be preferred to form the wedge member of an open cell material to provide cavities in which bone can grow through the wedge member. The
wedge member 36 may have a cellular construction similar to coral. Alternatively, straight passages may be drilled or cast in thewedge member 36. It is contemplated that thewedge member 36 may be coated with a material which promotes the growth of bone. If thewedge member 36 has a cellular construction, the cells may be at least partially filled with bone growth promoting material. - When the
wedge member 36 is to be inserted into thebone 22 to change the spatial relationship between theupper end portion 30 of the bone and thelower portion 32 of the bone, a location for insertion of the wedge member is selected by a surgeon. It is contemplated that it may be desired to locate thewedge member 36 approximately two to five millimeters below the upper end of the tibia bone. However, the specific location at which the wedge member is inserted into thebone 22 will be selected by the surgeon as a function of the result desired from a particular operation. - A saw slot is formed at the location where the wedge member is to be inserted into the bone. The slot extends only part way through the bone. Thus, in
FIG. 2 , the slot extended from the left side of thetibia bone 22 toward the right side to a location which was spaced from the right side of the tibia bone. This results in theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thebone 22 being interconnected by a connector or hingeportion 40 after the slot is formed. The thickness of thehinge portion 40 will depend upon the location where the wedge member is being installed, the extent to which the spatial relationship between portions of the bone are to be changed by insertion of the wedge member, and the physical characteristics of the bone itself. - Once the slot has been formed, with a saw or other device at a desired location in the bone, the
wedge member 36 is moved into the slot. Thethin edge 44 of the wedge member is easily inserted into an entry opening to the slot. Force is then applied against thethick edge 46 of the wedge member to move the wedge member further into the slot. - When the
thin edge 44 of thewedge member 36 is initially positioned in the slot, the thin edge of the wedge member is diametrically opposite from thehinge portion 40 of thebone 22. A longitudinal axis of thethin edge 44, that is an axis extending between the opposite ends 52 and 54 (FIG. 3 ) of the thin edge, is parallel to the bottom of the slot when the thin edge is initially positioned in the slot. At this time, an axis perpendicular to thethin edge 44 and extending through the center of thewedge member 36 is aligned with an axis extending perpendicular to the bottom of inner edge of the slot and extending through the center of thebone 22. - The
wedge member 36 is then moved into the slot along a linear path which extends perpendicular to the bottom or inner end of the slot and to thethin edge 44 of the wedge member. As thewedge member 36 moves into the slot along the linear path, the upper major side surface 68 (FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the wedge member slides along and applies force against theupper end portion 30 of thetibia bone 22. As thewedge member 36 moves into the slot along the linear path, the lowermajor side surface 70 of the wedge member slides along and applies force against thelower portion 32 of thetibia bone 22. Thewedge member 36 is moved into the slot under the influence of force applied against the trailingthick edge portion 46. - Although it is contemplated that the
wedge member 36 could be mounted at many different locations in many different types of bone, thewedge member 36 is illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 as being positioned in thetibia bone 22 at a location in which anouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone extends around acore 90 of soft cancellous bone. - As the thin
leading edge 44 of thewedge member 36 moves into the slot, the central portion of the thinleading edge 44 engages theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone at the entry to the slot on a side of thebone 22 opposite from the hinge orconnector portion 40. Force is applied against theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone by the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of thewedge member 36 at a location adjacent to the center of the opening to the slot. The force applied against theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone by the thin leading end portion of thewedge member 36 initiates pivotal movement of theupper end portion 30 of thebone 22 about an axis extend through thehinge portion 40. - As the
thin edge 44 of the wedge member moves further into the slot, the area of engagement of the thinleading edge 44 of the wedge member with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone moves outward from a central portion of the thinleading edge 44 toward the opposite ends 52 and 54 of the thin leading edge 44 (FIGS. 3 and 6 ). The upper and lowermajor sides layer 80 of hard cortical bone along opposite sides of thebone 22. - As the area of engagement of the thin
leading edge 44 of thewedge member 36 with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone moves toward the opposite ends of thethin edge 44, the central portion of thethin edge 44 engages thecore 90 of soft cancellous bone. When the central portion of thethin edge 44 of thewedge member 36 engages thecore 90 of soft cancellous boner portions of thethin edge 44 on opposite sides of the central portion of the thin edge are in engagement with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone. However, depending upon the thickness and/or configuration of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone, the central portion of thethin edge 44 may or may not engage thecore 90 of soft cancellous bone before the opposite ends 52 and 54 of thethin edge 44 of thewedge member 36 move into initial engagement with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone. - Continued movement of the
wedge member 36 toward the bottom of the slot in thebone 22, that is, toward the right as viewed inFIGS. 5 and 6 , moves the entire thin leadingedge 44 of the wedge member into engagement with thecore 90 of soft cancellous bone. As this occurs, thewedge member 36 moves into engagement with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone along opposite sides of the wedge member adjacent to theouter side surface 50 of the wedge member and adjacent to opposite sides of thebone 22. Although the thinleading edge 44 of the wedge member is in engagement with thecore 90 of soft cancellous bone, the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of thewedge member 36 are sliding along the portion of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone disposed behind the thinleading edge 44 of thewedge member 36, that is, to the left as viewed inFIGS. 5 and 6 . - When the thin
leading edge 44 of thewedge member 36 has moved rightward (as viewed inFIGS. 5 and 6 ) past the center of thebone 22, the opposite ends 52 and 54 or the thin leading edge again move into engagement with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone. Continued movement of thewedge member 36 into the slot increases the extent of engagement of the thinleading edge 44 of the wedge member with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone. - When the
outer side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 has moved into alignment with an outer side surface 94 (FIG. 6 ) on thelower portion 32 of thebone 22, rightward (as viewed inFIG. 6 ) movement of the wedge member is interrupted. At this time, the thinleading edge 44 of the wedge member is at the bottom of the saw slot formed in thebone 22. Opposite ends 52 and 54 of the thinleading edge 44 are disposed in engagement with theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone. The mounting strips 60, 62 and 64 are disposed in abutting engagement with theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22. Therefore, further rightward movement of thewedge member 36 into the slot is blocked and the wedge member is in the position illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 relative to thebone 22. - During movement of the
wedge member 36 into the slot in thebone 22, in the manner previously described, theupper portion 30 of the bone pivoted relative to thelower portion 32 by force applied against the upper and lower portions of the bone by thewedge member 36. Theupper end portion 30 of thebone 22 is pivoted relative to thelower portion 32 of the bone about an axis extending parallel to the thinleading edge 44 of thewedge member 36 and extending through the connector or hingeportion 40 of thebone 22. - When the
outer side surface 50 on thewedge member 36 is moved into alignment with theouter side surface 94 on thebone 22, theouter side surface 50 on thewedge member 36 will form a continuation of theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22. Although perfect alignment of theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 with theouter side surface 94 of the bone is desired, there may be a slight misalignment or discontinuity where theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 is aligned with theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22. - In the embodiment of the
wedge member 36 illustrated inFIGS. 3-6 , the wedge member has been shown as being formed as a portion of a circle with thethin edge 44 being a chord of the circle. However, it is believed that it will be preferred to form thewedge member 36 with a configuration which matches the configuration of thebone 22 in which the wedge member is to be inserted. Thus, it is contemplated that thebone 22 may have an irregularouter side surface 94 which is not formed as a portion of a circle. In such a situation, theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 would have a matching irregular configuration and would not be formed as a portion of a cylinder. - By having the
outer side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 have a configuration which is the same as the configuration as theouter surface 94 of thebone 22, almost perfect alignment can be obtained between thewedge member 36 and thebone 22. Although there may be some misalignment of thewedge member 36 andouter side surface 94 of thebone 22, theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone is disposed in engagement with the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of thewedge member 36 adjacent to theouter side surface 50 of the wedge member throughout the extent of the outer side surface of the wedge member. - By providing for engagement of the
outer layer 80 of hard cortical bone with thewedge member 36 throughout the extent of the opening to the slot which was formed in thebone 22, the area for transmittal of force between the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 (FIG. 5 ) of the wedge member and theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone is maximized. This is because the entire extent of theouter layer 80 of cortical bone which has been cut to form the slot is disposed in engagement with thewedge member 36. The only portion of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone which does not engage thewedge member 36 is the portion of the outer layer of hard cortical bone which is disposed in the connector or hingeportion 40 of the tibia bone 22 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Therefore, there is no open space between surfaces on theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone where the slot was formed. This minimizes any tendency for stress concentrations to occur due to insertion of thewedge member 36 into thebone 22. - As was previously indicated, it is desired to have almost perfect alignment of the
outer side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 with theouter side 94 of thebone 22. However, the obtaining of perfect alignment of theouter side surface 50 and is thewedge member 36 with theouter side surface 94 on thebone 22 will be difficult due to the fact that bones on different patients do not have exactly the same configuration. In addition, the obtaining of perfect alignment between theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 and theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22 is made difficult due to the fact that the configuration of theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22 varies along the extent of the bone. - The
outer side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 is considered as being aligned with theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22 when there is a slight discontinuity between theouter side surface 94 of the bone and theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36. However, the extent of this discontinuity should be minimized. Close alignment of theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 with thesurface 94 on thebone 22 maximizes the extent of engagement of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone with the wedge member. In addition, close alignment of theouter side surface 50 of thewedge member 36 with thesurface 94 on thebone 22 minimizes the extent to which the wedge member projects outward from the outer side surface of the bone. - Once the
wedge member 36 has been positioned relative to thebone 22, in the manner previously explained, thescrews 58 are used to fixedly connect thewedge member 36 with theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thebone 22. Thescrews 58 engage the outer layer of hard cortical bone (FIG. 5 ) to hold thewedge member 36 against movement relative to the borne 22. It is contemplated that thewedge member 36 could be connected with thebone 22 in a manner other than by usingscrews 58. - Since the
wedge member 36 is rigid, it can immediately transmit loads between theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thetibia bone 22. Therefore, after the incision which exposed the site at which thewedge member 36 is inserted into thebone 22 has been closed, the patient can begin to apply weight to theleg 20. This weight will be transmitted through the entire extent of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone. Thus, the portion of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone in the connector or hingeportion 40 of thetibia bone 22 is not severed and can transmit force in the usual manner. The portion of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone which was cut to form the slot into which thewedge 36 was inserted, engages the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of thewedge member 36. Since thewedge member 36 is rigid, force can be transmitted between the portions of theouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone which engage the wedge member. - The central portion of the
wedge member 36 engages thecore 90 of soft cancellous bone. Since thewedge member 36 is porous, the soft cancellous bone can grow through openings formed in thewedge member 36 to fuse theupper end portion 30 andlower portion 32 of thebone 22. The growth of the soft cancellous bone through thewedge member 36 may be promoted by coating the wedge member with known bone growth inducing substances. In addition, it is believed that the hard cortical bone of theouter layer 80 will eventually grow throughopenings 74 in thewedge member 36. Theopenings 74, which extend through thewedge member 36, may have a straight cylindrical configuration or may have an irregular configuration, similar to the configuration of openings or cavities formed in natural coral. - In the illustrations of
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thewedge member 36 is positioned inbone 22 at a location where anouter layer 80 of hard cortical bone extends around acore 90 of soft cancellous bone. However, thewedge member 36 could be used at locations where one or both major side surfaces 68 and 70 are engaged by only hard cortical bone. Although thewedge member 36 has been illustrated inFIG. 2 being used in abone 22 in a patient'sleg 20, the wedge member could be used with other bones. For example, thewedge member 36 could be used in association with bones in a patient's arm, wrist, hand, ankle or foot. - In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 2-6 , the openings 74 a are provided in thewedge member 36 a to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. If desired, the openings 74 a could be omitted. - In the embodiment of the
wedge member 36 illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 , the wedge member is pushed into a slot formed in thebone 22 by the application of force against thethick edge 46 of the wedge member. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8 , a long thin screw member is utilized to guide at least a portion of the movement of the wedge member into the bone and to apply force to the wedge member to pull the wedge member into the slot formed in the bone. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “a” being associated with the numerals ofFIGS. 7 and 8 to avoid confusion. - A
wedge member 36 a is inserted into abone 22 a to change the spatial relationship of anupper portion 30 a (FIG. 7 ) of the bone relative to alower portion 32 a of the bone. Thewedge member 36 a has athin edge 44 a and athick edge 46 a. An outer side surface 50 a (FIG. 8 ) extends between opposite ends 52 a and 54 a of thethin edge 44 a (FIG. 8 ). Upper and lower major side surfaces 68 a and 70 a (FIG. 7 ) extend between thethin edge 44 a and thethick edge 46 a. The flat upper and lower major side surfaces 68 a and 70 a are skewed at an acute angle relative to each other. - Openings 74 a (
FIG. 8 ) extend through thewedge member 36 a to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. The opening 74 a may have a straight cylindrical configuration or may have an irregular configuration, similar to openings formed in natural coral. Thewedge member 36 a may be coated with bone growth promoting material and/or the openings 74 a filled with bone growth promoting material. If desired, the openings 74 a may be omitted. - A plurality of mounting
strips FIG. 8 ) engage an outer side surface 94 a of thebone 22 a.Suitable fasteners 58 a connect thewedge member 36 a with thebone 22 a. The outer side surface 50 a or thewedge member 36 a is aligned with the outer side surface 94 a of thebone 22 a. - The
wedge member 36 a has the same general construction as thewedge member 36 ofFIGS. 1-6 . Thewedge member 36 a is inserted into a slot formed in thebone 22 a in much the same manner as previously described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 1-6 . However, in accordance with a feature of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8 , ascrew member 100 is utilized to guide movement of thewedge member 36 a relative to thebone 22 a and to apply force to thewedge member 36 a to pull the wedge member into a slot formed in thebone 22 a. - The
screw member 100 has a straight elongated shank 102 (FIG. 7 ) which extends through thewedge member 36 a. A head end portion 104 of thescrew member 100 is fixedly connected with theshank 102 and disposed in a suitable recess formed in thewedge member 36 a. Anopening 106 is formed in the mountingstrip 62 a to provide access to the head end portion 104 of thescrew member 100. - The
screw member 100 has en externally threadedend portion 110 disposed on the end of theshank 102 opposite from the head end portion 104. The externally threadedend 110 of thescrew member 100 is engageable with theouter layer 80 a of hard cortical bone at the hinge orconnector section 40 a of thebone 22 a. - When the
wedge member 36 a is to be inserted into a slot in thebone 22 a, thewedge member 36 a is moved into the slot in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 . As thewedge member 36 a approaches the position shown inFIG. 7 , the externally threadedend 110 of thescrew member 100 engages aninner side surface 114 of theouter layer 80 a of hard cortical bone. The head end portion 104 of thescrew member 100 is then rotated. This causes the externally threadedend portion 110 of the screw member to move into threaded engagement with theouter layer 80 a of hard cortical bone. - Continued rotation of the
screw member 100 results in the head end portion 104 applying force against thewedge member 36 a to pull the wedge member toward the right (as viewed inFIG. 7 ). As thewedge member 36 a is pulled toward the right by force transmitted from thescrew member 100 to the wedge member, the mountingstrips FIG. 8 ) move into abutting engagement with the outer side surface 94 a on thebone 22 a. Theshank 102 of thescrew member 100 guides movement of thewedge member 36 a relative to thebone 22 a. Rotation of thescrew member 100 and movement of thewedge member 36 a toward the right (as viewed inFIG. 7 ) is then interrupted. The mounting strips 60 a, 62 a, and 64 a are fixedly connected with theupper end portion 30 a andlower portion 32 a of thebone 22 a by fasteners (screws) 58 a. - Although the
wedge member 36 a has been illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8 at a location where alayer 80 a of hard cortical bone encloses a core 90 a of soft cancellous bone, thewedge member 36 a could be used at a location where the wedge member engages only hard cortical bone. Although it is preferred to provide the openings 74 a to enable bone to grow through thewedge member 36 a, the openings may be omitted if desired. - In the embodiment of the wedge member illustrated in
FIGS. 2-8 , the wedge member has flat major side surfaces which extend from a relativelythick edge 46 of the wedge member to a relativelythin edge 44 of the wedge member. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 9 , the wedge member is formed as an axially tapered screw. Since the wedge member of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 9 changes the spatial relationship between end portions of a bone in a patient's body in a manner similar to that explained in conjunction with the embodiments of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-7 , similar numerals will be utilized to identify components of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 9 , the suffix letter “b” being associated with the numerals ofFIG. 9 to avoid confusion. - A
wedge member 36 b has a thin edge orpoint 44 b and a thick edge orhead 46 b (FIG. 9 ). A mountingstrip 62 b is connected with thethick edge 46 b and engages an outer side surface of a bone to limit movement of thewedge member 36 b relative to the bone. Aside surface 50 b on thethick edge 46 b of thewedge member 36 b is aligned with an outer side surface of the bone when the mountingstrip 62 b engages the outer side surface of the bone. - In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention, the
wedge member 36 b has a spiralexternal thread convolution 116. Thethread convolution 116 has a generally conical configuration and tapers from thethick edge 50 b of thewedge member 36 b to the thin edge orpoint 44 b of thewedge member 36 b. - When the
wedge member 36 b is to be inserted into a bone, a slot is formed in the bone in the same manner as previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-8 . Thewedge member 36 b is then screwed into the slot. In order to screw thewedge member 36 b into the slot, force may be applied to the mountingstrip 62 b to rotate thewedge member 36 b about its longitudinal central axis. Alternatively, a socket may be provided in thethick edge 46 b to receive a suitable tool which transmits torque to thewedge member 36 b. - As this occurs, the
external thread convolution 116 on thewedge member 36 b cooperates with the hard cancellous outer layer of the bone to effect axial movement of the wedge member into the slot in the bone. As thewedge member 36 b enters the slot in the bone, the portion of the bone, corresponding to theupper end portion 30 ofFIG. 2 , pivots relative to alower portion 32. This results in a change in the spatial relationship between the upper portion and lower portion of the bone. - Prior to moving the
wedge member 36 b into the slot in the bone, a longitudinal central axis of the wedge member is aligned with an axis which is perpendicular to a bottom of the slot and extends through the center of the bone. Thewedge member 36 b is then rotated about its longitudinal central axis. As thewedge member 36 b rotates and moves into the slot, the wedge member moves along a straight path which extends perpendicular to an axis about which the upper end portion of the bone is pivoted relative to the lower portion of the bone. Movement of thewedge member 36 b into the slot is interrupted with the thin edge orpoint 44 b spaced from a connector or hinge portion of the bone which interconnects the upper end portion and lower portion of the bone. - A plurality of
openings 74 b are formed in thewedge member 36 b to enable bone to grow through the wedge member in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-8 . Thewedge member 36 b is coated with a bone growth promoting material. Thewedge member 36 b may be hollow to provide a cavity to hold bone growth promoting material. - An the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 2-9 , the wedge member has openings to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 10 , the wedge member is hollow to provide a cavity which holds bone growth promoting material. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 10 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-9 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “c” being associated with the embodiment ofFIG. 10 to avoid confusion. - A
wedge member 36 c (FIG. 10 .) has athin edge 44 c and athick edge 46 c. Anouter side surface 50 c extends between opposite ends of thethin edge 44 c in the same manner as is illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 6 for the embodiment of the invention ofFIGS. 2-6 . Thewedge member 36 c has the same overall configuration as thewedge member 36 ofFIGS. 2-6 . - A mounting
strip 62 c is connected with thethick edge 44 c of thewedge member 36 c. Additional mounting strips, corresponding to the mounting strips 60 and 64 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 6 , are provided on thewedge member 36 c. When theouter side surface 50 c on thewedge member 36 c has moved into alignment with the outer side surface of the bone, the mountingstrip 62 c engages the outer side surface of the bone. Suitable fasteners may be used to interconnect the bone and the mountingstrip 62 c. Although only asingle mounting strip 62 c has been illustrated inFIG. 10 , it should be understood that additional mounting strips, corresponding to the mounting strips 62 and 64 ofFIG. 3 , are associated with thewedge member 36 c. - The
wedge member 36 c has a flat uppermajor side surface 68 c and a flat lowermajor side surface 70 c. The upper and lower major side surfaces 68 c and 70 c have the same configuration as the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 and 70 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 . Theouter side surface 50 c has the same configuration as theouter side surface 50 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 . The upper and lower major side surfaces 68 c and 70 c (FIG. 10 ) are disposed at an acute angle and taper from thethick edge 46 c to thethin edge 44 c of thewedge member 36 c. - The
wedge member 36 c is rigid to enable it to be weight bearing as soon as it is positioned in a bone. Although thewedge member 36 c could be formed of many different materials, it is formed of stainless steel. - In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention, the
wedge member 36 c (FIG. 10 ) is hollow. Therefore, a compartment orcavity 120 is formed in thewedge member 36 c. Thecompartment 120 has upper and lower inner side surfaces 122 and 124 which are smaller than the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 c and 70 c of thewedge member 36 c. However, the inner side surfaces 122 and 124 of thecompartment 120 have the same general configuration as the upper and lower major side surfacers 68 c and 70 c of thewedge member 36 c. - The
compartment 120 is filled with a bonegrowth inducing material 130. The bonegrowth inducing material 130 is (not shown) formed in either the uppermajor side surface 68 c or the lowermajor side surface 70 c of thewedge member 36 c. Once thecompartment 120 has been filled with the bonegrowth inducing material 130, the opening to the compartment is closed. However,openings 74 c in thewedge member 36 c enable bone to grow through the wedge member. - The growth of bone through the
wedge member 36 c is promoted by the bonegrowth inducing material 130 in thecompartment 120. The bonegrowth inducing material 130 in thecompartment 120 may be any one of many known compositions. For example, apatite compositions with collagen may be utilized. Demineralized bone powder may also be utilized. Regardless of which of the known bone growth inducing materials are selected, the presence of the bone growth inducing material in thecompartment 120 will promote a growth of bone through theopenings 74 c in thewedge member 36 c. - The
wedge member 36 c may, itself, be formed of a suitable rigid material, such as tantalum or stainless steel. In addition to the bonegrowth inducing material 130 in thecompartment 120, the surfaces of thewedge member 36 c and theopenings 74 c may be coated with suitable bone growth inducing materials. Although thewedge member 36 c has been shown as having straightcylindrical openings 74 c through which bone grows, the wedge member 360 could have an open celled construction if desired. - In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 2-10 , a plurality of relativelysmall openings 74 extend through the various wedge members to enable bone to grow through the wedge members. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12 , a relatively large central opening is provided in the wedge member to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-10 , similar numerals will be utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter “d” being associated with the numerals ofFIGS. 11 and 12 to avoid confusion. - A
wedge member 36 d (FIGS. 11 and 12 ) has athin edge 44 d and athick edge 46 d. Anouter side surface 50 d extends between opposite ends 52 d and 54 d (FIG. 12 ) of thethin edge 44 d. Theouter side surface 50 d has a configuration which corresponds to the configuration of anouter side surface 94 d of abone 22 d (FIG. 11 ). Thewedge member 36 d has flat upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d which are skewed at an acute angle relative to each other and extend between thethin edge 44 d and thethick edge 46 d of thewedge member 36 d. - The
wedge member 36 d has the same overall configuration as thewedge member 36 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 . Thus, theside surface 50 d (FIG. 12 ) has the same configuration as theside surface 50 ofFIGS. 3 and 4 . The upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d (FIGS. 11 and 12 ) have outer edge portions with the same configuration as the outer edge portion of the major side surfaces 68 and 70 ofFIGS. 3 and 4 . - When the
wedge member 36 d has been inserted into a slot formed in a bone in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 , mountingstrips wedge member 36 d move into abutting engagement with theouter side surface 94 d of thebone 22 d (FIG. 17 ). The mounting strips 60 d, 62 d, and 64 d are fixedly connected with theupper end portion 30 d andlower portion 32 d of thebone 22 d bysuitable fasteners 58 d. Thefasteners 58 d retain thewedge member 36 d against movement from a position in which theside surface 50 d is aligned with theouter side surface 94 d of thebone 22 d. - As the
wedge member 36 d is inserted into the slot in thebone 22 d, anupper portion 30 d (FIG. 11 ) of thebone 22 d is pivoted relative to alower portion 32 d to change the spatial relationship between theupper portion 30 d andlower portion 32 d of thebone 22 d. Theupper portion 30 d of thebone 22 d pivots about an axis which extends parallel to thethin edge 44 d of thewedge member 36 d. The axis about which theupper portion 30 d of the bone pivots extends through the hinge orconnector portion 40 d of thebone 22 d and is parallel to the bottom of the slot formed in thebone 22 d to receive thewedge member 36 d. - In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the
wedge member 36 d has a largecentral opening 134 through which bone may grow. Theopenings 134 extends between upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d of thewedge member 36 d. Theopening 134 is configured in such a manner that the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d of thewedge member 36 d engage anouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone throughout movement of thewedge member 36 d into the slot formed in thebone 22 d. - When the
wedge member 36 d has moved into thebone 22 d, to the position shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 , thelarge opening 134 enables the core 90 d of soft cancellous bone to easily grow through thewedge member 36 d. If desired,material 130 d (FIG. 11 ) for promoting a growth of bone could be positioned in theopening 134. At this time, theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone is disposed in abutting engagement with opposite major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d on thewedge member 36 d throughout the extent of the opening to the slot into which the wedge member is inserted. Relativelysmall openings 74 d are provided in thewedge member 36 d to enable hard cortical bone to grow through the wedge member. - The
opening 134 has a configuration which is similar to but smaller than the overall configuration of thewedge member 36 d. Thus, theopening 134 has a flat,rectangular side surface 136 which extends parallel to thethin edge 44 d of thewedge member 36 d. Theopening 134 has anarcuate side surface 138 which is spaced substantially the same distance from theouter side surface 50 d throughout the extent of theside surface 138 of theopening 134 and theside surface 50 d of thewedge member 36 d. - The
side surface 138 of theopening 134 is spaced from theouter side surface 50 d by a distance which is greater than the thickness of theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone. Therefore, as thewedge member 36 d is inserted into the slot formed in thebone 22 d, theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone engages the upper and lower major side surfaces 58 d and 70 d of thewedge member 36 d. Theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone is in engagement with the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d of thewedge member 36 d when theouter side surface 50 d of the wedge member is aligned with theouter side surface 94 d of thebone 22 d. Theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone is disposed in engagement with thewedge member 36 d throughout the extent of the opening to the slot into which thewedge member 36 d is inserted. - When the
wedge member 36 d has been moved into the slot formed in the bone 20 d, the mountingstrips outer side surface 94 d of the bone.Suitable fasteners 58 d can then be utilized to connect thewedge member 36 d with theupper end portion 30 d and thelower portion 32 d of thebone 22 d. Thefasteners 58 d maintain theouter side surface 50 d on thewedge member 36 d in alignment with theouter side surface 94 d of thebone 22 d. - The
wedge member 36 d can, upon being positioned relative to the bone and an incision which was made to expose the bone closed, be load bearing. This is because theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone extends through thehinge portion 40 d and can support a load in the usual manner. Theouter layer 80 d of hard cortical bone is disposed in engagement with the upper and lower major side surfaces 68 d and 70 d of therigid wedge member 36 d at a location offset to the left (as viewed inFIG. 12 ) from the hinge onconnector portion 40 d. Therefore, force can be transmitted between theupper end portion 30 d andlower portion 32 d (FIG. 11 ) through thewedge member 36 d as soon as the wedge member has been properly installed in thebone 22 d. - With the passage of time, the soft
cancellous bone 90 d grows through and completely fills theopening 134 in thewedge member 36 d. Although one specific opening configuration has been illustrated inFIG. 12 , it is contemplated that theopening 134 could have any desired configuration. In addition to the bonegrowth promoting material 130 d, thewedge member 36 d could be coated with bone growth promoting material. If desired, thesmall openings 74 d could be omitted. - In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6 , the wedge member has flat major side surfaces. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14 , the wedge member has major side surfaces with a stepped configuration. Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14 is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 2-6 , similar numerals will be utilized to identify similar components, the suffix letter “e” being associated with the numerals ofFIGS. 13 and 14 to avoid confusion. - A
wedge member 36 e is used to change a spatial relationship between anupper end portion 30 e and alower portion 32 e of abone 22 e (FIG. 13 ). Thewedge member 36 e includes athin edge 44 e and athick edge 46 e. Thewedge member 36 e has anouter side surface 50 e which extends between opposite ends 52 e and 54 e (FIG. 14 ) of thethin edge 44 e. Thewedge member 36 e has ant uppermajor side 68 e (FIG. 13 ) and a lowermajor side 70 e. - A plurality of mounting
strips outer side surface 94 e of thebone 22 e when thewedge member 36 e is inserted into a slot formed in the bone in the manner previously explained. As thewedge member 36 e is inserted in to the slot in the bone, theupper end portion 30 e of thebone 22 e pivots about an axis which extends through a connector or hingeportion 40 e of the bone. The axis about which theupper portion 30 e of the bone pivots extends parallel to thethin edge 44 e of thewedge member 36 e. - When the mounting strips 60 e, 62 e and 64 e have moved into abutting engagement with the
outer side surface 94 e of thebone 22 e, theouter side surface 50 e is in alignment with theouter side surface 94 e of thebone 22 e.Suitable fasteners 58 e are utilized to connect thewedge member 46 e with theupper end portion 30 e andlower portion 32 e of thebone 22 e in the manner previously explained. - In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention, the upper
major side 68 e of thewedge member 36 e has a stepped configuration. Thus, the uppermajor side 68 e of thewedge member 36 e includes a flat surface area 150 (FIGS. 13 and 14 ) which extends at a first, relatively small acute angle relative to the lowermajor side surface 70 e of thewedge member 36 e. Asecond surface area 152 extends from thesurface area 150 toward theouter side surface 50 e of thewedge member 36 e at a second acute angle relative to thelower side surface 70 e. The second acute angle, at which theside surface 152 extends relative to thelower side surface 70 e (FIG. 13 ), is greater than the first angle at which theside surface area 150 extends relative to thelower side surface 70 e. - Finally, the
wedge member 36 e includes asurface area 154 which extends outward from thesurface area 152 to theouter side surface 50 e of thewedge member 36 e. Thesurface 154 slopes at an acute angle relative to thelower side surface 70 e of thewedge member 36 e. The angle which thesurface 154 makes with thedower side surface 70 e is greater than the angle which thesurface area 150 makes with thelower side surface 70 e. The angle which thesurface area 150 makes with thelower side surface 70 e of thewedge member 36 e is less than the angle which thesurface area 152 makes with thelower side surface 70 e (FIG. 13 ). - The
surface area 154 extends a substantially constant distance from theouter side surface 50 e of thewedge member 36 e throughout the extent of the surface area 154 (FIG. 14 ). Since thesurface area 152 extends between thesurface area 150 and the surface area 154 (FIG. 14 ) the extent of thesurface area 152 varies as a function of the distance of the surface area from a perpendicular to thethin edge 44 e and through the center ofwedge member 36 e. The resulting stepped configuration of thewedge member 36 e facilitates initial movement of the wedge member into the slot formed in thebone 22 e. - A plurality of
openings 74 e extend through thewedge member 36 e. Theopenings 74 e enable bone to grow through thewedge member 36 e Theopenings 74 e may have a straight cylindrical configuration or may have an open-celled structure. Thewedge member 36 e may be coated with bone growth promoting material and/or theopenings 74 e may be at least partially filled with bone growth promoting material. - An
outer layer 80 e of hard cortical bone is disposed in engagement with thesurface area 154 adjacent to theouter side surface 50 e of thewedge member 36 e. The portion of theouter layer 80 e of hard cortical bone exposed by formation of the slot in the bone also engages the lowermajor side surface 70 e of thewedge member 36 e. Thewedge member 36 e is formed of a rigid material which is capable of transmitting force between theupper end portion 30 e and thelower portion 32 e of thebone 22 e. Therefore, the bone is immediately weight supporting when thewedge member 36 e is positioned in the bone in the manner illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14 . - In view of the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for use in changing a spatial relationship between portions of a
bone 22 in a patient's body. When this is to be done, an opening is formed in a portion of the patient's body tissue to at least partially expose thebone 22. Force is applied to thebone 22 with awedge member 36 to move oneportion 30 of the bone relative to anotherportion 32 of the bone. Thewedge member 36 may be fixedly connected with either or both portions of the bone. The opening in the patient's body is then closed with thewedge member 36 disposed in engagement with thebone 22. Force can be transmitted betweenportions bone 22 through thewedge member 36. - The
wedge member 36 may taper from athick edge 46 to athin edge 44 and have aside surface 50 which extends from oneend 52 of the thin edge, along the thick edge, to theopposite end 54 of the thin edge. Theside surface 50 of thewedge member 36 has a cross sectional configuration corresponding to the configuration of a portion of anouter side surface 94 of thebone 22. This enables thewedge member 36 to be aligned with theouter side surface 94 of thebone 22. - The
wedge member 36 may be positioned relative to thebone 22 at a location where alayer 80 of hard cortical bone encloses softcancellous bone 90. Opposite ends 52 and 54 of thethin edge 44 of thewedge member 36 may be positioned in engagement with the hardcortical bone 80 while a central portion of thethin edge 44 of thewedge member 36 engages the soft cancellous bone. In addition, thelayer 80 of hard cortical bone may engage thewedge member 36 adjacent to theside surface 50 of the wedge member. - It is contemplated that the
wedge member 36 may have many different constructions. It is believed that it will be advantageous to form thewedge member 36 with one ormore openings 74 through which bone can grow. Thewedge member 36 may be hollow and containmaterial 130 which promotes the growth of bone through the wedge member. - A
screw member 100 may extend ahead of the thinleading edge 44 of thewedge member 36 and engage hard cortical bone. Force may be transmitted from thescrew member 100 to thewedge member 36 to move the wedge member relative to the bone. Alternatively, thewedge member 36 may have a circular cross sectional configuration with anexternal thread convolution 116 to enable the wedge member to be moved into an opening in a bone by rotating the wedge member.
Claims (19)
1. An apparatus assembly for use in association with bones of a patient, the apparatus assembly comprising:
a body constructed of a polymeric material including a thick end portion, a thin end portion defining a thin end axis that extends between first and second opposite ends, a first side portion having a first side surface, a second side portion having a second side surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, the thick end portion having a first thickness and the thin end portion having a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness, the body including a central opening extending generally vertically through the upper surface and the lower surface, the central opening having an internal surface including an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface, a maximum central opening width defined between the first and second internal side surfaces and oriented substantially parallel to the thin end axis, the first internal side surface being spaced from the first side surface at a first spacing and the second internal side surface being spaced from the second side surface at a second spacing, the first spacing being substantially equal to the second spacing, the maximum central opening width being greater than a sum of the first spacing and the second spacing, the body having a frusta-cylindrical-shape; and
a mounting strip configured to abut the thick end portion, the mounting strip constructed of a metallic material, the mounting strip including a first screw hole and a second screw hole.
2. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first screw having a first head and a first threaded shaft; and
a second screw having a second head and a second threaded shaft, the first screw hole configured to receive the first screw at least partially therein and the second screw hole configured to receive the second screw at least partially therein in a mounted configuration, at least a portion of the first and second threaded shafts engaging hard cortical bone of the patient's bones in the mounted configuration.
3. The apparatus assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first head is configured for engagement with the mounting strip proximate the first screw hole and the second head is configured for engagement with the mounting strip proximate the second screw hole in the mounted configuration.
4. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first screw hole is positioned substantially above the upper surface and the second screw hole is positioned substantially below the lower surface in the mounted configuration, the thin end portion tapering to a thin edge.
5. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first spacing is equal to the second spacing.
6. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower surfaces define an acute angle.
7. The apparatus assembly of claim 6 , wherein the acute angle is between one degree and twenty degrees.
8. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting strip includes an upper portion extending above the upper surface and a lower portion extending below the lower surface in a mounted configuration.
9. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body defines a maximum body width between the first side surface and the second side surface, the maximum central opening width being greater than one half the body width.
10. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first side surface, the second side surface, the thick end portion and the thin end portion are generally continuous between the upper and lower surfaces to laterally enclose the central opening, the body comprising a wedge member.
11. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body includes an internal trailing surface, the central opening defined by the internal trailing surface, the internal leading surface, the first internal side surface and the second internal side surface.
12. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internal leading surface extends substantially parallel to the thin edge axis.
13. The apparatus assembly of claim 1 , wherein the central opening is configured to be filled with bone growth inducing material that is configured for promoting bone growth through the central opening.
14. An apparatus assembly for use in association with bones of a patient, the apparatus assembly comprising:
a body constructed of a polymeric material including a thick end portion, a thin end portion defining a thin end axis that extends between first and second opposite ends, a first side portion having a first side surface, a second side portion having a second side surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, the thick end portion having a first thickness and the thin end portion having a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness, the body further including a central opening extending substantially vertically through the upper surface and the lower surface, the central opening having an internal surface including an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface, a maximum central opening width defined between the first and second internal side surfaces and being measured substantially parallel to the thin end axis, the first internal side surface is spaced from the first side surface at a first spacing and the second internal side surface is spaced from the second side surface at a second spacing, the first spacing being substantially the same as the second spacing, the maximum central opening width being greater than a sum of the first spacing and the second spacing;
a first screw;
a second screw;
a first mounting strip configured to abut the thick end portion in a mounted configuration, the first mounting strip constructed of a metallic material, the first mounting strip having a first screw hole and a second screw hole, the first screw hole configured to receive the first screw and the second screw hole configured to receive the second screw in the mounted configuration, the first and second screws spaced from the body in the mounted configuration; and
a second mounting strip configured to abut the thick end portion in the mounted configuration, the second mounting strip constructed of the metallic material.
15. The apparatus assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first screw includes a first head and a first threaded shaft and the second screw includes a second head and a second threaded shaft, at least a portion of the first threaded shaft positioned above the upper surface and at least a portion of the second threaded shaft positioned below the lower surface in the mounted configuration.
16. The apparatus assembly of claim 14 , further comprising:
a third mounting strip configured to abut the thick end portion in the mounted configuration.
17. The apparatus assembly of claim 14 , wherein the body is formed of a porous material, the body comprising a wedge member.
18. The apparatus assembly of claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower surfaces define an acute angle.
19. The apparatus assembly of claim 18 , wherein the acute angle is between one degree and twenty degrees.
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/729,768 US20150265326A1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2015-06-03 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
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US09/109,126 US6086593A (en) | 1998-06-30 | 1998-06-30 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US09/566,070 US6575982B1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2000-05-05 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US10/438,705 US8486066B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2003-05-15 | Spacer |
US11/928,400 US8690944B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2007-10-30 | Wedge apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US13/847,325 US8795363B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2013-03-19 | Wedge apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/445,784 US9044322B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2014-07-29 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/572,980 US9050152B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2014-12-17 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/729,768 US20150265326A1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2015-06-03 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
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US09/566,070 Expired - Lifetime US6575982B1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2000-05-05 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US10/438,705 Expired - Fee Related US8486066B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2003-05-15 | Spacer |
US11/928,400 Expired - Fee Related US8690944B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2007-10-30 | Wedge apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US13/847,325 Expired - Fee Related US8795363B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2013-03-19 | Wedge apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/445,784 Expired - Fee Related US9044322B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2014-07-29 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/572,980 Expired - Fee Related US9050152B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2014-12-17 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/729,768 Abandoned US20150265326A1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2015-06-03 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
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US09/109,126 Expired - Lifetime US6086593A (en) | 1998-06-30 | 1998-06-30 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US09/566,070 Expired - Lifetime US6575982B1 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2000-05-05 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US10/438,705 Expired - Fee Related US8486066B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2003-05-15 | Spacer |
US11/928,400 Expired - Fee Related US8690944B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2007-10-30 | Wedge apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US13/847,325 Expired - Fee Related US8795363B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2013-03-19 | Wedge apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/445,784 Expired - Fee Related US9044322B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2014-07-29 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
US14/572,980 Expired - Fee Related US9050152B2 (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2014-12-17 | Method and apparatus for use in operating on a bone |
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-
1998
- 1998-06-30 US US09/109,126 patent/US6086593A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-05-05 US US09/566,070 patent/US6575982B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2003
- 2003-05-15 US US10/438,705 patent/US8486066B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2007
- 2007-10-30 US US11/928,400 patent/US8690944B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2013
- 2013-03-19 US US13/847,325 patent/US8795363B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-07-29 US US14/445,784 patent/US9044322B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2014-12-17 US US14/572,980 patent/US9050152B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2015
- 2015-06-03 US US14/729,768 patent/US20150265326A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20130226311A1 (en) | 2013-08-29 |
US8795363B2 (en) | 2014-08-05 |
US8486066B2 (en) | 2013-07-16 |
US8690944B2 (en) | 2014-04-08 |
US20080051799A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
US9044322B2 (en) | 2015-06-02 |
US20030199881A1 (en) | 2003-10-23 |
US20140336772A1 (en) | 2014-11-13 |
US6575982B1 (en) | 2003-06-10 |
US20150105781A1 (en) | 2015-04-16 |
US9050152B2 (en) | 2015-06-09 |
US6086593A (en) | 2000-07-11 |
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