Combined Intramedullary and Extramedullary Surgical Aiming System And Method
Patent Number: US 9089375 Grant Date: 2015-07-28 Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Overview
This patent protects an integrated surgical aiming system that mechanically couples extramedullary fixation plates with intramedullary alignment tools to provide repeatable, predetermined screw and nail trajectories. Filed on June 17, 2014 and granted on July 28, 2015, the prosecution reflects rigorous claim drafting that captures an assembly-level approach: a fixation plate, a channeling assembly (or integrated aiming assembly), an intramedullary entry locator, a triangular screw guide and compatible nail interfaces. Inventors based in San Diego, CA; Redding, CA; and Tulsa, OK developed embodiments that stack guided components to translate plate-based screw locations into safe intramedullary entry points and to locate threaded apertures on an implanted nail. The resulting system reduces intraoperative guesswork, supports minimally invasive portals with stacked drill sleeves, and fixes extramedullary and intramedullary elements in a defined spatial relationship while screws are placed. Our firm’s drafting emphasizes the structural cooperation of channels, apertures, and guides to protect both componentized and one-piece aiming assemblies, strengthening enforceability across multiple surgical workflows.
Key Features
- Mechanical stacking of channeling assembly, intramedullary entry locator, and fixation plate for precise alignment
- Triangular screw guide that locates nail threaded apertures from outside the bone
- Predefined screw trajectories to avoid nail intersection and simplify fixation
- Support for supplementary plates and minimally invasive stacked drilling
This invention advances trauma and orthopedic implant workflows by combining robust mechanical guidance with versatile implant interfaces, improving procedural accuracy and surgical efficiency in fixation and nailing procedures.
Invention Details
Abstract: A surgical aiming system is disclosed comprising a one or more fixation plates, an aiming assembly, a one or more nails and a plurality of screws. Said aiming assembly comprising a channeling assembly and a plurality of channels. Said one or more fixation plates comprising a plurality of plate apertures capable of receiving a portion of said plurality of screws. Said plurality of channels in said aiming assembly are capable of aligning a portion of said plurality of screws with said plurality of plate apertures in a first fixation plate. Said plurality of channels receive and align said plurality of screws as they are secured to said first bone. Said first fixation plate being extramedullary attached to a portion of said surface of said first bone; and said plurality of channels of said aiming assembly being aligned to identify a one or more intramedullary locations within said first bone.
Summary of the Invention: A surgical aiming system is disclosed comprising a one or more fixation plates, an aiming assembly, a one or more nails and a plurality of screws. Said one or more fixation plates comprising a first fixation plate. Said aiming assembly comprising a channeling assembly and a plurality of channels. Said one or more fixation plates comprising a plurality of plate apertures capable of receiving a portion of said plurality of screws. Said plurality of channels in said aiming assembly are capable of aligning a portion of said plurality of screws with said plurality of plate apertures in said first fixation plate. Said first fixation plate having a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Said plurality of plate apertures comprising a first plate aperture and a second first plate aperture. Said channeling assembly having a thickness, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Said bottom surface of said first fixation plate substantially couples with a surface of a first bone of a skeletal system. Said bottom surface said aiming assembly substantially couples with said top surface of said first fixation plate. Said plurality of channels receive and align said plurality of screws as said plurality of screws are inserted through said plurality of plate apertures and secured to said first bone. Said first fixation plate being extramedullary attached to a portion of said surface of said first bone; and said plurality of channels of said aiming assembly being aligned to identify a one or more intramedullary locations including an entry point for said one or more nails, and an alignment and entry point for each among said plurality of plate apertures.
Patent Document
Related: Mechanical Engineering | Medical Devices & Surgical Instrumentation | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney