Joint arthrodesis system

Abstract

A joint arthrodesis system adapted for use in joint surgeries. Among other things, the joint implant has an anterior cutting edge and a rotatable cutter supported by a rotatable shaft.

Claims

1. A joint arthrodesis system comprising: a) a framework comprising: i) a central axis measured in a longest dimension of said framework; said framework including a length greater than a width; ii) openings outward from said central axis; iii) an anterior side comprising a cutting edge integral with said anterior side; iv) a surgeon facing side at an end opposite said anterior side; said anterior side having a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of said surgeon facing side, wherein said cross-sectional areas are determined perpendicular to said central axis; v) a plate seated within said cross-sectional area of said surgeon facing side and affixed to said framework, wherein said plate is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and comprises one or more apertures capable of reciprocating with one or more instruments; vi) a shaft, coaxial with said central axis, extending between an inner side of said plate and said cutting edge; and vii) arms connected with said shaft; said arms supporting cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of said shaft, said one or more blades rotate about said central axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; and b) a tool capable of rotating said shaft.

2. The joint arthrodesis system of claim 1, wherein said framework comprises four lateral sides.

3. The joint arthrodesis system of claim 2, wherein one or more surfaces of said framework comprises barbs and/or micropores.

4. The joint arthrodesis system of claim 3, wherein said framework comprises recesses adapted to receive said cutters, said recesses positioned diagonally from each other relative to two opposed lateral sides said framework.

5. The joint arthrodesis system of claim 4, wherein outermost ends of said one or more blades extend to outward edges of said recesses.

6. A joint implant comprising a framework; said framework comprising: a) a central axis measured in a longest dimension of said framework, wherein said framework's length is greater than said framework's width; b) openings outward from said central axis; c) an anterior side comprising a cutting edge; d) a surgeon facing side at an end opposite said anterior side, wherein said surgeon facing side is perpendicular to said central axis and comprises one or more apertures capable of reciprocating with one or more instruments; e) a shaft, coaxial with said central axis, extending between an inner side of said surgeon facing side and said cutting edge; and f) one or more arms connected with said shaft; said one or more arms supporting one or more cutters comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of said shaft, said one or more blades rotate about said central axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

7. The joint implant of claim 6, said framework comprising four lateral sides.

8. The joint implant of claim 7, said shaft comprising a receptacle for interacting with a tool capable of rotating said shaft.

9. The joint implant of claim 8, wherein said one or more arms comprise one or more sharp edges adapted to morselize bone.

10. The joint implant of claim 8, wherein one or more surfaces of said framework comprises barbs and/or micropores.

11. The joint implant of claim 8, said framework comprising recesses adapted to receive said cutters, said recesses positioned diagonally from each other relative to two opposed lateral sides said framework.

12. The joint implant of claim 11, wherein said anterior side has a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of said surgeon facing side; said cross-sectional areas determined perpendicular to said central axis.

13. A joint implant comprising a framework; said framework comprising: a) a central axis measured in a direction of a longest dimension of said framework; b) openings outward from said central axis; c) an anterior side comprising a cutting edge; d) a surgeon facing side at an end opposite said anterior side; said surgeon facing side comprising one or more apertures; e) a rotatable shaft, coaxial with said central axis, extending between said cutting edge and said surgeon facing side; and f) a first arm connected with said shaft; said first arm supporting a first cutter comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of said shaft, said blades rotate about said central axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

14. The joint implant of claim 13, said framework comprising four lateral sides and a length greater than a width.

15. The joint implant of claim 14, said shaft comprising a receptacle for interacting with a tool capable of rotating said shaft.

16. The joint implant of claim 14, wherein one or more surfaces of said framework comprises barbs and/or micropores.

17. The joint implant of claim 15, wherein said first arm comprises one or more sharp edges adapted to morselize bone.

18. The joint implant of claim 15, said framework further comprising a second arm connected with said shaft; said second arm supporting a second cutter comprising one or more blades, wherein on rotation of said shaft, said blades rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

19. The joint implant of claim 18, said framework's anterior side having a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of said surgeon facing side.

20. The joint implant of claim 19, said framework comprising recesses adapted to receive said first and second cutters.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the joint implant (100) utilized in the present system.

(2) FIG. 2 is a frontal view of plate (210) seated in cross-sectional area (120) of surgeon facing side (104) of implant (100).

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of implant (100).

(4) FIG. 4 is a frontal view cross-section of implant (100) along section A-A as seen from the posterior side (104).

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective of implant (100).

(6) FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of cutter (260F) shown in FIG. 5 as seen from the anterior side of implant (100).

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective of cutting edge (300) of implant (100).

(8) FIG. 8 is a lateral view as seen from side (108B) with lateral sides (108A-D) of implant (100) cut away.

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100).

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100).

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) where cutters (260F, 260S) are capable of being rotated 360 degrees about longitudinal axis X-X.

(12) FIG. 12 is another perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) where cutters (260F, 260S) are capable of being rotated 360 degrees about longitudinal axis X-X.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) Although the disclosure hereof is detailed to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the embodiments published herein merely exemplify the present invention.

(14) As used herein, with respect to the joint arthrodesis system's implant: 1) anterior of the joint implant means the side of the implant most distant from the surgeon and 2) posterior or surgeon-facing side of the joint implant means the side of the implant nearest the surgeon.

(15) In the most general sense, the present invention is a joint arthrodesis system where an implant is surgically inserted into a joint space. The current implant can be useful for surgeries that can assist in stabilizing injured, deformed and or degenerative joints. Preferred embodiments of the current invention can be employed with ankle, cervical, hand, sacroiliac or other orthopaedic procedures. It appears that the present system is particularly useful for posterior cervical fusions and sacroiliac joint fusions. However, the current invention can also be used to fuse the tibia to the talus, the talus to the calcaneus, and metacarpals to the phalanges.

(16) Preferred embodiments of the current joint implants can be manufactured of titanium alloys, stainless steel, resorbable polymers, non-resorbable polymers or any other composition acceptable in the art. Meeting a long felt but unfilled need in the orthopaedic surgical arts, the novel and unique structures of the present combinations allow the surgical team to, among other things, simplify previous procedures.

(17) The present invention has a cutting edge and a rotatable cutter including one or more blades. The cutting edge of the implant's framework is capable of dissecting through adipose, muscle and/or joint capsule tissues. The rotatable cutter of the implant is capable of cutting cartilage and bone and can be associated with the creation of the surgical cavity. Further, the rotatable cutter can morselize bone in preparation for fusion. The combination of the cutting edge(s) and rotatable cutter of the current joint implant system meet long felt but unfilled needs in the orthopedic surgical arts: among other things, these novel and unique structures allow the surgeon to simplify the previous operating procedures utilized for posterior cervical, sacroiliac, and other joint fusions.

(18) Devices that insert osteogenic and/or other substances into the interior volume of the implant can be used with the present invention. The current joint arthrodesis system is also compatible with flexible drills, fiber optics, vacuums, one or more cannulas and one or more devices for inserting the joint implant. Combinations of one or more of the before identified ancillary devices and the current joint arthrodesis system can assist with the creation and healing of the surgical wound.

(19) Openings of the current joint implant increase the probability of the osteogenic materials and/or arthrodesis accelerating substances procuring a blood supply. And it is believed that increasing the blood supply to the osteogenic materials held by the joint implant or implant increases the probability of successful fusion. Introduction of osteogenic and other substances into the implant can hasten the healing of the surgical wound.

(20) FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the joint implant (100) utilized in the present system. Joint implant or implant (100) has a framework that includes an anterior side (102), surgeon facing or posterior side (104) and a plurality of lengthwise sides (108A-D) extending between anterior side (102) and surgeon facing or posterior side (104). Lengthwise sides (108A, 108C) are provided with opening (110) that, among other things, allows the implant's blades to rotate. When surgical parameters require, osteogenic and/or other substances can also be placed into the internal volume of implant (100).

(21) With respect to this application, the longitudinal axis of joint implant (100) is measured along axis X-X. Axis X-X can correspond with shaft (240) or in some preferred embodiments shaft (240) can be offset from axis X-X. Width of implant (100) is measured along axis Y-Y or an axis parallel to axis Y-Y shown in FIG. 1. Height of joint implant is measured along axis Z-Z or an axis parallel to axis Z-Z of the joint implant's framework.

(22) Within the scope of the current invention, select embodiments of implant (100) have a length greater than a width. In select preferred embodiments, the width of implant (100) is greater than the height of implant (100). In other preferred embodiments of implant (100), the height of implant (100) is greater than the width of implant (100). The inward sides of anterior side (102), posterior side (104) and lengthwise sides (108A-D) facing longitudinal axis X-X create an available inner volume of implant (100) which can receive osteogenic as well as other substances.

(23) Lengthwise or lateral sides (108A-108D) are positioned outward from joint implant's (100) longitudinal axis X-X. Select preferred embodiments of implant (100) are provided with a cross-section distant from anterior side (102) that has a greater cross-sectional area than the anterior side (102). As disclosed herein, cross-sections are determined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X of the implant's framework. Anterior side (102) of implant (100) is provided with cutting edge (300) as will be more specifically enabled below. In some preferred embodiments, cutting edge (300) can be integral with anterior side (102) of joint implant (100). Attached to shaft (240) are arms (262F, 262S) supporting cutters (260F, 260S). Although as shown in FIG. 1, cutters (260F, 260S) are supported by two arms (262F, 262S), in select preferred embodiments, cutters (260F, 260S) can be supported by a single arm (262F, 262S). Additionally, some preferred embodiments of cutters (260F, 260S) can be provided with one or more sharp edges (264F, 264S) that can assist cutters (260F, 260S) with the morselization of bone.

(24) Posterior side (104) of implant (100) includes cross-sectional area (120). Preferred embodiments of joint implant (100) are provided with plate (210) where at least a portion the plate (210) is perpendicular to longitudinal axis X-X. Plate (210) is seated within cross-sectional area (120) of surgeon facing side (104) and affixed to implant (100). Preferred embodiments of plate (210) are provided with one or more apertures (220) that can be utilized with one or more tools associated with the surgery.

(25) FIG. 2 is a frontal view of plate (210) seated in cross-sectional area (120) of surgeon facing side (104) of implant (100). As shown, cross-sectional area is provided with a plurality of openings (220).

(26) FIG. 3 is a top view of implant (100), where implant is shown in its subcutaneous surgical wound creation mode. Shaft (240) is connected with anterior end (102) and surgeon posterior side (104) in any manner acceptable in the art. Proximate shaft (240) is opening (110) and lateral sides (108A-108D). First arms (262F) attach first cutter (260F) to shaft (240). Second arms (262S) attach second cutter (260S) to shaft (240). Cutters (260F and 260S) can be provided with blades that cut in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions when shaft (240) is rotated. Lateral side (108B) is provided with recess (266F) capable of receiving cutter (260F). Lateral side (108D) is provided with recess (266S) capable of receiving cutter (260S). As shown in FIG. 3, recess (266F) is located on the superior side of lengthwise side (108B) and recess (266S) is positioned on the inferior side of lengthwise side (108D).

(27) FIG. 4 is a frontal view cross-section of implant (100) along section A-A as seen from the posterior side (104). Cutter (260F) is received in recess (266F) of lateral side (108B) and arms (262F) attach cutter (260F) to shaft (240). Cutter (260S) is received in recess (266S) of lateral side (108D) and arms (262S) attach cutter (260S) to shaft (240). Within the scope of the current invention, cutters (260F, 260S) can be supported by a single arm (262F, 262S). And when surgical parameters require, implant (100) is engineered with only a single cutter (260F).

(28) FIG. 5 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100). Shaft (240) extends from cutting edge (300) toward surgeon facing side (104) of implant (100). As shown in FIG. 5, shaft (240) has rotatable arms (262F, 262S) carrying cutters (260F, 260S) such that rotation of shaft (240) extends cutter (260F) beyond lateral side (108C) and cutter (260S) beyond lateral side (108A) of implant (100).

(29) FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of cutter (260F) shown in FIG. 5 as seen from the anterior side of implant (100). Cutter (260F) is provided with first and second cutting blades (268F, 268S) that allow cutter (260F) to cut in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Depending on engineering parameters cutters (260F, 260S) can be equipped with one or more cutting blades. Along with the cutting function of cutters (260F, 260S), near the conclusion of the surgical procedure, cutting blades (268F, 268S) can be rotated to cut into bone so that cutters (260F, 260S) further anchor the implant (100) within the joint space.

(30) FIG. 7 is a perspective of cutting edge (300) of implant (100). Cutting edge (300) can be integral with implant (100) or cutting edge (300) can be manufactured as an interchangeable fitting for implant (100). Within the ambit of the current joint arthrodesis system, cutting edges (300) are capable of dissecting through adipose, muscle and/or joint capsule tissues.

(31) FIG. 8 is a lateral view as seen from side (108B) with lateral sides (108A-D) of implant (100) cut away. Plate (210) includes aperture (220) capable of receiving hand tool (360). Hand tool (360) includes handle (362) and stem (364) that extends from handle (362). Shaft (240) includes receptacle (244) for reciprocating with stem (364) of hand tool (360). Interaction between stem (364) and receptacle (244) allows hand tool (360) to rotate cutters (260F, 260S) in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In select preferred embodiments receptacle (244) can extend the entire length of (240) for allowing ingress and egress of surgical appliances and instruments from the surgical field, e.g., wires, cannulas, vacuum tubes, fiber optics, etc.

(32) FIG. 9 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that depicts cutting edge (300), rotatable cutters (260F, 260S) and opening (110) of implant (100). As shown, barbs (280) extend away from surfaces of lengthwise sides (108B, 108C, 108D). It is believed that barbs (280) can assist in deterring movement of implant (100) within the joint space.

(33) FIG. 10 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) that depicts cutting edge (300), rotatable cutters (260F, 260S) and opening (110) of implant (100). In the FIG. 10 embodiment, surfaces of lengthwise sides (108B, 108C, 108D) are provided with micropores (290) of various volumes. It is believed that surface micropores (290) can assist with long term fixation of the implant by allowing more bone ingrowth into the implant. In accordance with the FIG. 10 preferred embodiment of spinal implant (100), micropores (290) are generated by surface treatments to at least a portion of surfaces of lengthwise sides (108B, 108C, 108D). Micropores (290) can be created by abrasive, chemical or laser means.

(34) FIG. 11 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) where cutters (260F, 260S) are capable of being rotated 360 degrees about longitudinal axis X-X.

(35) FIG. 12 is another perspective of a preferred embodiment of implant (100) where cutters (260F, 260S) are capable of being rotated 360 degrees about longitudinal axis X-X.

(36) As measured along longitudinal axis X-X of implant's (100) framework, preferred embodiments are provided with cutting edge (300) that can be up to about 3 millimeters in length. The length of implant (100), including cutting edge (300) can be from about 50 millimeters to about 6 millimeters. Cross-sectional widths of cutting edge (300) can range from about 2 millimeters.sup.2 to about 18 millimeters.sup.2. Cross-sectional widths of implant (100), other than cutting edge (300) can range from about 8 millimeters.sup.2 to about 45 millimeters.sup.2.

(37) Pursuant to the Articles of the Patent Cooperation Treaty, preferred embodiments of the current system invention have been disclosed and enabled.