Joint Replacement And In Situ Gauge System

Abstract

A joint replacement in situ gauge system enables a surgeon to measure the appropriate spacing between the two sides of a joint, a convex component and a concave component. A replacement in situ gauge system includes a gauge component to measure the pressure and/or displacement of one joint component with respect to the mating component. A gauge component utilizes a displacement device that displaces the convex or concave component to determine a proper spacing for an implant component. The displacement component may be a bladder that is inflated with a fluid and a gauge may measure the pressure of the bladder through a range of motion. A scale may be used to measure physical displacement. The gauge component may be configured in the convex and/or concave components of the system. The gauge component may be removed and then an implant component may be implanted.

Claims

1. A joint replacement in situ gauge system comprising: a) a convex component assembly comprising a convex component having a convex portion; b) a concave component assembly comprising a concave component having a concave portion; c) a displacement device configured in one of the convex component assembly or the concave component; wherein the displacement device displaces the convex portion or the concave portion to determine a proper sized implant.

2. A joint replacement in situ gauge system for a joint comprising: a) a convex component assembly comprising a convex component having a convex portion; wherein the convex component is coupled to a convex receiver bone; b) a gauge concave component assembly coupled to a concave receiver bone and comprising: i) a plate portion detachably attached to the concave receiver bone; ii) a concave component coupled to the plate portion and having a concave portion; iii) a displacement device located between the concave component and the plate portion and configured to displace the concave component away from the plate portion in situ; wherein the convex portion of the convex component is aligned with the concave portion of the concave component; wherein the displacement device displaces the concave component to determine a proper sized implant concave component.

3. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 2, wherein the gauge concave component assembly further comprises a force gauge to measure a force exerted on the concave component.

4. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 2, wherein the gauge concave component assembly further comprises a displacement gauge to measure a displacement of the concave portion from the plate portion.

5. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 4, wherein the displacement gauge is a physical gauge on the gauge concave component assembly.

6. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 4, wherein the displacement gauge comprises a displacement sensor.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 2, wherein the displacement device is a bladder that receives a fluid from a pump to inflate the bladder.

10. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 2, wherein the gauge concave component assembly further comprises a guide post extending between the concave component and the plate portion to guide the concave component as it is displaced.

11. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 2, comprising two convex portions and wherein the gauge concave component assembly comprises two concave portions and two displacement devices, wherein the two concave portions can be displaced different amounts from the plate portion.

12. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 11, wherein the joint is a knee joint.

13. A joint replacement in situ gauge system for a joint comprising: a) a concave component assembly comprising a concave component having a concave portion; wherein the concave component is coupled to a concave receiver bone; b) a gauge convex component assembly coupled to a convex receiver bone and comprising: i) a plate portion detachably attached to the convex receiver bone; ii) a convex component coupled to the plate portion and having a convex portion; iii) a displacement device located between the convex component and the plate portion and configured to displace the convex component away from the plate portion in situ; wherein the convex portion of the convex component is aligned with the concave portion of the concave component; wherein the displacement device displaces the convex component to determine a proper sized implant convex component.

14. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 13, wherein the gauge convex component assembly further comprises a force gauge to measure a force exerted on the concave component.

15. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 13, wherein the gauge convex component assembly further comprises a displacement gauge to measure a displacement of the convex portion from the plate portion.

16. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 15, wherein the displacement gauge is a physical gauge on the gauge convex component assembly.

17. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 15, wherein the displacement gauge comprises a displacement sensor.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 13, wherein the displacement device is a bladder that receives a fluid from a pump to inflate the bladder.

21. The joint replacement in situ gauge system of claim 13, wherein the gauge convex component assembly further comprises a guide post extending between the convex component and the plate portion to guide the convex component as it is displaced.

22. A joint replacement method comprising: a) providing a joint replacement in situ gauge system for a joint comprising: i) a convex component assembly comprising: a convex component having a convex portion; wherein the convex component is coupled to a convex receiver bone; ii) a gauge concave component assembly coupled to a concave receiver bone and comprising: a plate portion detachable attached to the concave receiver bone; a concave component coupled to the plate portion and having a concave portion; a displacement device located between the concave component and the plate portion and configured to displace the concave component away from the plate portion in situ; b) aligning the convex portion of the convex component with the concave portion of the gauge concave component; c) displacing the gauge concave component with the displacement device; d) measuring a displacement of the concave component; e) removing the gauge concave component; f) selecting an implant concave component using the displacement measured; and g) securing the implant concave component to the concave receiver bone.

23. The joint replacement method of claim 22, wherein the gauge concave component assembly comprises a displacement scale and wherein measuring said displacement of the concave component includes reading the displacement scale.

24. (canceled)

25. The joint replacement method of claim 22, wherein the gauge concave component assembly comprises a displacement sensor that outputs a displacement reading to a receiver and wherein measuring said displacement of the concave component includes reading the displacement reading on the receiver.

26. (canceled)

27. The joint replacement method of claim 22, wherein the gauge concave assembly further comprises a force gauge to measure a force exerted on the concave component as it is displaced by the displacement device.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. The joint replacement method of claim 2229, wherein the displacement device is a bladder that receives a fluid from a pump to inflate the bladder.

31. The joint replacement method of claim 30, wherein the gauge concave assembly further comprises a force gauge to measure a force exerted on the concave component as it is displaced by the displacement device and wherein the force is a pressure of said fluid in the bladder.

32. A joint replacement method comprising: a) providing a joint replacement in situ gauge system for a joint comprising: i) a concave component assembly comprising: a concave component having a concave portion; wherein the concave component is coupled to a concave receiver bone; ii) a gauge convex component assembly coupled to a convex receiver bone and comprising: a plate portion detachable attached to the convex receiver bone; a convex component coupled to the plate portion and having a convex portion; a displacement device located between the convex component and the plate portion and configured to displace the convex component away from the plate portion in situ; b) aligning the convex portion of the convex component with the concave portion of the concave component c) displacing the convex component with the displacement device; d) measuring a displacement of the convex component; e) removing the convex component; f) selecting an implant convex component using the displacement measured; and g) securing the implant convex component to the convex receiver bone.

33. The joint replacement method of claim 32, wherein the gauge convex component assembly comprises a displacement scale and wherein measuring said displacement of the convex component includes reading the displacement scale.

34. (canceled)

35. The joint replacement method of claim 32, wherein the gauge convex component assembly comprises a displacement sensor that outputs a displacement reading to a receiver and wherein measuring said displacement of the convex component includes reading the displacement reading on the receiver.

36. (canceled)

37. The joint replacement method of claim 32, wherein the gauge convex assembly further comprises a force gauge to measure a force exerted on the convex component as it is displaced by the displacement device.

38. (canceled)

39. (canceled)

40. The joint replacement method of claim 32, wherein the displacement device is a bladder that receives a fluid from a pump to inflate the bladder.

41. The joint replacement method of claim 40, wherein the gauge convex assembly further comprises a force gauge to measure a force exerted on the convex component as it is displaced by the displacement device and wherein the force is a pressure of said fluid in the bladder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a joint replacement system configured for a reverse shoulder joint having a convex component in the scapula and a concave component as the gauge component of the system in the humerus.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary convex component assembly of the joint replacement system secured into the scapula by a stem.

[0017] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary gauge concave assembly of the joint replacement system secured into the concave receiver bone by a stem.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary gauge concave component and stem assembly.

[0019] FIG. 6 show an exemplary gauge concave assembly being inserted into a stem secured in a bone.

[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an exemplary gauge concave assembly having a displacement device to displace or move the concave component with respect to the plate portion. FIG. 8 shows the displacement device extending the concave component away from the plate portion.

[0021] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an exemplary gauge convex assembly having a displacement device to displace or move the convex component with respect to the plate portion. FIG. 10 shows the displacement device extending the convex component away from the plate portion.

[0022] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary concave component of a gauge concave component assembly being used to displaced a concave component in situ to determine a spacing for the implant concave component.

[0023] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary implant concave component, having the determined spacing, being inserted and attached to the concave component stem.

[0024] FIG. 13 shows a front view of an exemplary joint replacement in situ gauge system for a knee joint having two displacement devices.

[0025] FIG. 14 shows a side view of an exemplary joint replacement in situ gauge system for a knee joint.

[0026] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a joint replacement in situ gauge system having two separate convex components and a gauge concave assembly having two separate concave portions and two corresponding displacement devices.

[0027] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a portion of a gauge convex assembly having two separate displacement devices and two separate concave portions for receiving the two convex components (not shown).

[0028] FIG. 17 shows a front view of a joint replacement in situ gauge system configured to interface with two separate convex components and comprising a gauge convex assembly having two separate displacement devices; wherein the pressure on the gauge is low.

[0029] FIG. 18 shows a front view of the joint replacement in situ gauge system shown in FIG. 17 with the pressure increased and the displacement scale showing a higher displacement than the displacement scale; thereby indicating a non-uniform displacement requirement for the implant concave component.

[0030] FIG. 19 shows a front view of an implant convex component and concave component having a non-uniformly displaced concave component.

[0031] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of a or an are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0033] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Definitions

[0034] A convex portion of a convex component is the curved convex surface of the component and may be a radiused surface including a spherical surface; common with ball type joints.

[0035] A concave portion of a concave component is the curved concave surface of the component and may be radiused surface such as a spherically shaped recess common with socket type joints.

[0036] In situ is defined as in the natural or original position or place. The gauge component of the joint replacement system is situated in situ with respect to the joint replacement to provide an accurate measurement of the spacing requirements under a given load.

[0037] A permanent implant concave or convex component as used herein is a component that is implanted and may be implanted into a portion of the gauge concave or convex assembly after determination of the proper size for the permanent implant component.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary joint replacement in situ gauge system 10 is configured for a shoulder joint and in particular a reverse shoulder joint replacement. This exemplary joint replacement system comprises a convex component 40 secured to the convex receiver bone 41, or scapula 22, and a concave component secured to the concave receiver bone 61, or humerus 24. The convex component has a convex portion 42 that interfaces with a concave portion 62 of the concave component to produce a ball/socket joint or interface. The convex component is coupled to the stem 46 by a stem insert 45 coupled to the plate portion 42. The concave component is coupled to the stem 66 by a plate portion 64. The convex component assembly 49 and/or the concave component assembly 69 may be a gauge component for determining the proper spacing for an implant convex or concave component.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary convex component assembly 49 of the joint replacement system secured into the scapula 22 by a stem 46. The convex component assembly comprises a convex component having a convex portion and a plate portion and stem. The convex component may have a stem insert that extends into a stem secured within the bone when the convex component is a gauge component. In an exemplary embodiment, a bone component is fixed to a stem and that is secured into the convex receiver bone and the concave component is a gauge component.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary gauge concave assembly 36 of the joint replacement in situ gauge system 10 is secured into the concave receiver bone 61 by a stem insert 65 that extends into the stem 66. The stem extends down into the bone and has an aperture to receive a stem insert, shown in FIG. 6. An exemplary gauge concave assembly comprises a concave component 60 having a concave portion 62 to move about a convex portion of a convex component, a plate portion 64 and a stem insert 65 for insertion into the stem. The stem may be secured and fixed into the concave receiver bone and the gauge concave component may be inserted into the stem for measurement purposes. A plurality of guide posts 32, 32 extend between the concave component 60 and the plate portion 64 to guide the concave component uniformly out and away from the plate portion and to prevent pitching of the concave component as it is displaced using a displacement device.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary gauge concave assembly 36 comprises a concave component 60 secured to a plate portion 64 that is detachably attachable to the stem 66.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary gauge concave assembly 36 is being inserted into a stem 66 by the stem insert 65. The stem is secured in a concave receiver bone 61. This detachable attachment enables measurement of spacing and/or forces in situ and subsequent detachment for implantation of an implant concave component have a determined geometry or spacing.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an exemplary gauge concave assembly 36 has a displacement device 70 to displace or move the concave component 60 with respect to the plate portion 64. As shown in FIG. 8, the displacement device 70, a bladder 72, is extending the concave component away from the plate portion 64. The bladder receives fluid through the fluid line 73 to inflate the bladder and displace the concave component 60. A displacement gauge comprises a displacement scale 68 on the concave component that provides a measurement of spacing that can be used to select an implant concave component. As shown in FIG. 7, the displacement scale is reading 4.0 along the top rim of the plate component and FIG. 8 shows the concave component has been displaced to a reading of 6.2 mm. The gauge concave assembly comprises a displacement scale 68 and a displacement sensor 52 that provides a displacement reading to a receiver 53, such as an electronic device having a read-out of the displacement. A surgeon may use this measurement to determine a proper sized implant concave component. A force gauge 78 may be monitored and a concave component displacement measurement may be taken at a certain force or pressure. The pressure is increased to achieve a desired distraction force on the joint and indicates an effective fit in situ of the concave component with respect to the convex component. A plurality of guide posts 32, 32 extend between the concave component 60 and the plate portion 64 to guide the concave component uniformly out and away from the plate portion and to prevent pitching of the concave component as it is displaced using a displacement device 70. The guide post(s) may extend from the concave component and into guide apertures 33,33 in the concave plate portion 64 or vice versa.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an exemplary gauge convex assembly 34 has a displacement device 70 to displace or move the convex component 40 with respect to the plate portion 44. As shown in FIG. 10, the displacement device 70, a bladder 72, is extending the convex component away from the plate portion 44. The bladder receives fluid through the fluid line 73 to inflate the bladder and displace the convex component 40. A scale on the convex component provides a measurement of spacing that can be used to select an implant convex component. As shown in FIG. 9, the scale is reading 4.0 mm along the top rim of the plate component and FIG. 10 shows the concave component has been displaced to a reading of about 6.4. The gauge concave assembly comprises a displacement scale 48 and a displacement sensor 52 that provides a displacement reading to a receiver 53, such as an electronic device having a read-out of the displacement. A surgeon may use this measurement to determine a proper sized implant convex component. A gauge 78 may be monitored and a convex component displacement measurement may be taken at a certain pressure. The pressure is increased to achieve a desired distraction force on the joint and indicates an effective fit in situ of the convex component with respect to the concave component. A plurality of guide posts 32, 32 extend between the convex component 40 and the plate portion 44 to guide the convex component uniformly out and away from the plate portion and to prevent pitching of the convex component as it is displaced using a displacement device 70. The guide post(s) may extend from the convex component and into guide apertures 33,33 in the convex plate portion 64 or vice versa. The gauge concave assembly comprises a stem insert 45 coupled to the plate portion 44 for securing the gauge concave assembly in a stem.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 11, an exemplary concave component 60 of a gauge concave component assembly 36 is being displaced in situ to determine a spacing for the implant concave component. The concave component assembly has substantially the same geometric features as the implant concave component, thereby making the reading concave component assembly a natural fit that mimics the actual implant concave component. This in situ gauge joint replacement assembly and method enables quicker determination of proper fits without excessive manipulation of the joint. After a displacement measurement is made, the implant concave component 16 may be implanted and secured to the stem 66 by the implant stem insert 65, as shown in FIG. 12. Again, the implant concave component and implant concave assembly have substantially the same dimensions to enable removal of at least a portion of the gauge concave assembly, such as the gauge concave assembly components.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an exemplary joint replacement in situ gauge system 10 for a knee joint 29 has two displacement devices 70, 70. The femur 26 is configured with two convex components 40, 40 and the concave component 60 has two concave portions to receive the two convex components. The two displacement devices are configured in the plate portion 64 of the gauge concave assembly 36 which is secured to the tibia 27 by a stem 66. This gauge component enables measurement of separate displacement distance for each of the two convex components. The concave component may have a non-uniform displacement or thickness between the two convex components.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an exemplary joint replacement in situ gauge system 10 for a knee joint 29 has two displacement devices 70, 70. The implant convex components 14, 14 may be secured to the femur and are configured to rest and rotate within the corresponding concave portions 62, 62 of the concave component 60. The gauge concave assembly 36 has two separate displacement devices 70, 70, such as bladders, for individual determination of the displacement of the two concave portions or in some cases the two concave components. The stem insert 65 extends down from the plate portion 64 into the stem. The stem is coupled with the bone, such as being inserted into an aperture in the bone.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 17, a joint replacement in situ gauge system 10 has a gauge concave assembly 36 having two separate displacement devices 70, 70. The pressure is low and the displacement, as measured by the gauges 78, 78 is uniform across the concave component 60. The concave portions 62, 62 are engaged with the implant convex components 14, 14. However, as shown in FIG. 18, with the gauge pressure increased to a pressure suitable for gauge displacement measurement, scale 68 is showing a larger displacement than scale 68. This may indicate that a non-uniform implant concave component, or a concave component having two different displacements from the plate component 64, is required. This non-uniform implant concave component may be required for proper medial and lateral knee alignment and pressure distribution.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 19, the gauge concave assembly 36 is removed and an implant concave component 16 is configured in the knee joint 29.

[0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.