Patent Application
20250177017
This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for correcting abnormal flexion of the joints of the human foot (or of the hand, or in other embodiments, other areas needing stabilization or fixation.) More particularly, this disclosure relates to a combination of dorsiflexion of the metatarsal/proximal phalangeal joint and plantar flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint, commonly called a hammer toe.
The lesser toes of the human foot are composed of three bones and contain two joints. The three toe bones are a proximal phalanx (closest to the metatarsal bone), a middle phalanx, and a distal phalanx (at the end of the toe). The three toe bones are connected by two toe joints, a proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), which is formed by a distal end of the proximal phalanx and a proximal portion of the middle phalanx; and a distal interphalangeal joint (DIP), distal to the PIP and formed by a distal end of the middle phalanx and a proximal end of the distal phalanx.
Contraction of the lesser toes of the foot is a common pathologic condition due to an imbalance between the tendons on the top and bottom of the toe(s). When an affected toe is able to be straightened out manually, i.e. by an individual or an eternal force, it is referred to as a flexible hammer toe. If left untreated these flexible contractures will become a fixed deformity know as a rigid hammer toe, which typically cannot be put back into normal alignment. The PIP is more implicated in a hammer toe syndrome deformity then the DIP.
There are many palliative modalities such as pads and various forms of orthodigital devices used to accommodate toe deformities. Those conservative options, however, often do not provide an afflicted individual with sufficient comfort and in some cases are unpreferred, given the fact that various alternative surgical options are available.
Throughout the history of performing toe surgery many methods have been attempted by surgeons ranging from simple tendon release, partial joint excision, full joint excision and, as a final resort, complete fusion (arthrodesis) of a joint rendering a straight toe. Arthrodesis of the joint is usually reserved for severe deformities or in cases where previous non-arthrodesis procedures were performed but failed to provide a patient with a desired outcome.
In the prior art, some surgeons fused the PIP joint by a simple end-to-end method. In this procedure a surgeon resects the articular cartilage of the end of one toe bone and the base of an adjoining bone which forms an abnormal joint. The two ends are approximated to each other with the expectation that they will fuse together. An inherent problem with this method is a high rate of non-union with possible recurrence of deformity.
Another prior art method is to insert a smooth pin or wire that extends out of the distal end of the toe. The wire is used to hold the ends of the bones in alignment until fusion occurs. Because these wires and pins are smooth, however, it is possible for the joint to distract, leading to a failure or non-union.
Additionally, yet another prior art method was developed which utilized a thin screw inserted from the tip of a toe across the joint. The purpose of this device was to provide compression which facilitates end-to-end fusion. The insertion of a specialized screw is difficult to perform and presents a possibility of damaging the DIP. Furthermore, when the pin is removed it requires a second surgical procedure.
Yet another prior art device was developed utilizing “memory” metal that was simply inserted into either the DIP or PIP after resection of the joint. These devices are relatively expensive when compared to pins, wires, or screws and also have been known to sometimes expand too quickly rending the device ineffective.
Finally, a prior art hinged toe fusion device was developed to replace the PIP. Each end of the device was inserted into a corresponding end of the bones flanking the PIP. A limitation with this device is that it is relatively difficult to work with. The two components are not designed to be easily separated. Also, the device can be difficult to properly align and can rotate out of the proper position after insertion. Also, it does not allow for the additional use of a pin or wire to be inserted across the metatarsophalangeal joint (MP), the joint proximal to the PIP, which is sometimes desirable.
Regardless of which prior art fixation method is employed, it is sometimes necessary to revise the surgical intervention, or to entirely remove it, and most prior art devices are difficult to revise or remove, particularly after they have been in place for some time.
The difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding prior art descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are among many which demonstrate that although significant attention has been devoted to surgically correcting hammer toe disfigurement, nevertheless surgical implants and procedures appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.
The subject disclosure includes advantages of bone fusion while simplifying the procedure and decreasing or eliminating incidences of non-union and non-alignment prevalent in the prior art. A cylindrical element is placed to bridge a surgically prepared joint and is locked in place by extending tines that engage the inner surface of the phalanges in a manner than prevents subsequent disengagement or rotation. Optionally, elements permitting retraction of the tines may be provided to facilitate revision or removal of the cylindrical element. Also optionally, the cylindrical element is provided with ridges or stops on its external surface that prevent over-insertion of the element into the bone, as well as unintended rotation after placement.
Numerous advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:
Referring now particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, and to
Referring now to
The external surface of implant 5 is provided with longitudinal ribs 50 to impede rotation of the implant after it is inserted into the bone. It is also provided with circumferential rib 50 to prevent the implant from being displaced further into the bone than intended.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The disclosure is directed to correction of misalignment between virtually any two bones, but particularly for the flange bones that make up the five digits of the foot and hands. A typical bone misalignment is characterized by dorsiflexion of the metatarsal/proximal phalangeal joint 108 and plantar flexion the proximal interphalangeal joint (“PIP”). The instant invention is directed to correction of this abnormal flexion of the PIP. Although the subject disclosure is directed in particular to medically correcting hammer toe syndrome it is also useful for more curved or claw toe maladies as well. In this sense the term hammer toe as used herein includes claw toe, mallet toe and curly toe conditions. The disclosure also applies to analogous conditions affecting human fingers.
Other structures can be added to the preferred embodiment to inhibit an unintended tendency for the device to loosen or slide out from the end of bone. For example, the surface of the cylinder may have various structures and shapes that promote tissue in -rowth such as interstitial spaces, ribs, channels, holes, grooves and the like.
In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical element is provided with external fins or ribs intended to prevent rotation within the joint after implantation. Also in the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical element is provided with a partial circumferential rib or fin at the location of the joint to prevent displacement further into the bone after implantation.
The purpose of the preferred embodiment is to treat bones in an abnormal and sometimes dysfunctional position, such as a hammer toe, and to reestablish function. The bones must function properly throughout active motion of the foot as well as when the foot is at rest. To a first approximation, the functional position is to straighten the PIP joint, that is, the longitudinal axis of the proximal phalanx is in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the middle phalanx. This may not, in practice, be the optimal position for the PIP joint. In another preferred embodiment, a slight angle between these bones may be more functional for a patient. In this case the cylinder may be altered so that the PIP varies from straight to as much as 15° from linear.
While a preferred embodiment of the device is use in the PIP to correct hammer toe, the device is not limited solely to use with the lesser toes but can also be used in fingers as well as the thumb and great toe. Indeed, variations of the device can treat a wide variety of maladies related to improper bone alignment. A non-exhaustive list of examples includes: flexible and rigid hammer toe, deviated/crooked toes or fingers (caused by either physical injury or inherited) arthritic joints, claw toe, mallet toe and long toes requiring shortening (e.g. Morton's Toe). In addition, other embodiments of the invention comprise variations to address use as a suture anchor wherein the apparatus is press-fit into a predrilled hole completely, and the lateral tethers used for tine deployment are cut at the proximal ends, near the handles, and used to tie down various soft tissues. The apparatus of the present invention may also be employed in fracture management (e.g., Clavival Fracture) where an ORIF is being performed. The bone is drilled and prepared in a similar way to the osteotomy performed on PIPJ fusion, and the apparatus is used to reduce and hold continuous compression on that reduction. In the case of acromioclavicular and sacroiliac joint fusion The clavicle and acromion may be fused using the apparatus of the present invention.
A preferred material for the implant body is medical grade titanium. A preferred material for the implant tines is nitinol or a similar shape memory alloy. However, other medical grade materials may also be used.
The interphalangeal joint implant of the preferred embodiment is inserted using the following procedure. Using conventional steps as known and practiced in the prior art, a surgeon exposes the PIP, separates the two bones making up the joint and then removes the articular cartilage. The bones are then “cored”. According to the present invention, the provided drills are preferably used to core the ends of the bones on each side of the joint. The drill removes a central cylindrical section of bone within the bone shafts which allows for a press-fit of the implant.
The proximal end of the implant is inserted into the proximal phalanx and the distal end of the implant is inserted into the middle phalanx. The tethers are then tensioned, causing the displacement elements to extend the tines within the opposing bone shafts to lock each end of the implant in position, preventing both pull out and rotation. If stabilization of an adjacent joint is required, an optional k-wire can be directed from within the joint out through the tip of the toe.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insertion of the implant and anchoring it in place are best performed with an insertion tool, as shown in
In use, handle 100 is used to insert the implant into the proximal bone of the PIP, and tether pull ring is dislodged from its indentation and pulled to extend the tines locking the implant in place. Lock 110 is then disengaged to allow the implant to be released from handle 100. The distal phalanx is then positioned on the implant, and the other pull ring released and used to extend the tines locking the implant in place. By cutting the tethers and pulling each ring, the tethers may be fully withdrawn from the implant and the handle, tethers, and pull rings discarded.
After implantation, prior art methods of sterile wound closure may be employed to complete the procedure.
In the specification and claims herein, the expression “approximately” or “generally” are intended to mean at or near, and not exactly, such that the exact location or configuration is not considered critical unless specifically stated.
In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art however, and familiar with the disclosure of the subject invention, may recognize additions, deletions, substitutions, modifications and/or other changes which will fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than of limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects. Rather, various modifications may he made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention. The inventors further require that the scope accorded their claims be in accordance with the broadest possible construction available under the law as it exists on the date of filing hereof (and of the application from which this application obtains priority, if any) and that no narrowing of the scope of the appended claims be allowed due to subsequent changes in the law, as such a narrowing would constitute an ex post facto adjudication, and a taking without due process or just compensation.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2023/015296 | 3/15/2023 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63321404 | Mar 2022 | US |
