Patent Application
20220039810
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of securing bones together. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for maintaining a 1st metatarsal bone in a natural anatomical position during surgical procedures.
Hallux valgus is a progressive foot deformity wherein the distal region of the big toe (i.e., the “hallux”) deviates in a lateral direction. Such a deformity can be caused by wearing pointed shoes with a narrow toe box. For example, when wearing high heel shoes, the foot is forced into the front of the shoe. The narrow front of the shoe forces the distal hallux in the lateral direction, toward the other toes, while a distal portion of the 1st metatarsal head is forced in a medial direction. Forcing the distal metatarsal head in the medial direction pushes it outward and against an edge of the shoe. The irritation caused by pressing the metatarsal head against the shoe often causes an enlarged and thickened callus, or a bunion, to form.
A hallux valgus deformity may have significant ramifications for soft tissue problems in other areas, such as pain and functional deficit. For example, a hallux valgus deformity can give rise to an impaired gait characterized by lateral and posterior weight shift, late heel rise, decreased single-limb balance, pronation deformity, and the like. When the hallux is deviating away from its normal position, it does not have the mechanical ability to perform these tasks correctly. For example, if the hallux is not preventing overpronation, a number of other problems may develop, including plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or other ankle or knee pathologies.
Given that hallux valgus is relatively prevalent in the general population, there is an ongoing need for the development of foot treatment capabilities such as that related to, for example, treating hallux valgus deformities. Provided herein are embodiments and methods for maintaining a 1st metatarsal bone in a natural anatomical position during surgical procedures for treating a hallux valgus deformity by way of arthrodesis of the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint.
A metatarsal alignment apparatus and methods are provided for orienting and maintaining a 1st metatarsal bone in a natural anatomical position during surgical procedures for treating a hallux valgus deformity by way of arthrodesis of the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint. The metatarsal alignment apparatus includes a cuneiform block for pinning a cuneiform bone and a distal metatarsal block for pinning a 1st metatarsal bone. The cuneiform block is threadably engaged with a shaft disposed within the proximal frame such that turning the shaft moves the cuneiform block longitudinally with respect to the distal metatarsal block. The distal metatarsal block is adjustable within a distal frame and configured to facilitate moving and rotating the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone. The distal metatarsal block and the distal frame facilitate moving the 1st metatarsal bone along a transverse direction with respect to the cuneiform bone. The distal metatarsal block may be fixated by way of a lock screw to fixate the orientation of the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone during preparing the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint for arthrodesis.
In an exemplary embodiment, a metatarsal alignment apparatus comprises: a cuneiform block slidably disposed within a proximal frame; a distal metatarsal block adjustably disposed within a distal frame; and a threaded shaft for moving the cuneiform block relative to the distal metatarsal block.
In another exemplary embodiment, the distal frame is configured for use on either a left foot or a right foot of a patient. In another exemplary embodiment, the threaded shaft is longitudinally disposed within the proximal frame and threadably engaged with the cuneiform block. In another exemplary embodiment, the proximal frame is configured to guide the cuneiform block in a longitudinal direction as the threaded shaft is turned. In another exemplary embodiment, the threaded shaft includes a shaped opening configured to be engaged with a suitable rotary tool for the purpose of turning the threaded shaft to move a cuneiform bone.
In another exemplary embodiment, the cuneiform block includes vertical holes and angled holes for pinning the cuneiform block to the cuneiform bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the distal metatarsal block includes a cannulation configured for pinning the distal metatarsal block to a 1st metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the distal metatarsal block includes a shaped opening for receiving a tool whereby the distal metatarsal block may be moved along slots disposed in the distal frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the slots are configured to rotate the distal metatarsal block with respect to the cuneiform block. In another exemplary embodiment, a lock screw is configured to be tightened to fixate the orientation of the distal metatarsal block with respect to the distal frame.
In another exemplary embodiment, the threaded shaft is longitudinally disposed within the proximal frame and threadably engaged with both the cuneiform block and a metatarsal block. In another exemplary embodiment, the metatarsal block includes vertical holes and angled holes for pinning the metatarsal block to a 1st metatarsal bone. In another exemplary embodiment, the proximal frame is configured to guide the cuneiform block and the metatarsal block along the longitudinal direction as the threaded shaft is turned. In another exemplary embodiment, the threaded shaft engages the cuneiform block with left-hand threads and engages the metatarsal block with right-hand threads, such that turning the threaded shaft causes the cuneiform block and the metatarsal block to move in opposite directions.
In another exemplary embodiment, the distal metatarsal block includes vertical holes configured for pinning the distal metatarsal block to a 1st metatarsal bone of the patient. In another exemplary embodiment, the distal metatarsal block includes a shaped opening configured for receiving a suitable tool whereby the block may be moved along slots disposed in the distal frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the slots are configured to allow the distal metatarsal block to move along a transverse direction with respect to the proximal frame and to rotate about its axis with respect to the cuneiform block. In another exemplary embodiment, a distal head lock screw is configured to be tightened to fixate the orientation of the distal metatarsal block with respect to the distal frame.
In another exemplary embodiment, the distal frame is configured to be rotated with respect to the proximal frame and to be fixated to the proximal frame by way of a locking knob. In another exemplary embodiment, the distal frame is configured to be used to adjust a rotation angle of the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone.
These and other features of the concepts provided herein may be better understood with reference to the drawings, description, and appended claims.
The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:
While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first portion,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first portion” is different than a “second portion.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.
A hallux valgus deformity can cause soft tissue problems, such as pain and functional deficit. For example, a hallux valgus deformity can give rise to an impaired gait characterized by lateral and posterior weight shift, late heel rise, decreased single-limb balance, pronation deformity, and the like. When the hallux is deviating away from its normal position, a number of other problems may develop, including plantar fasciitis, shin splints, or other ankle or knee pathologies. Given that hallux valgus is relatively prevalent in the general population, there is an ongoing need for the development of foot treatment capabilities such as that related to, for example, treating hallux valgus deformities. Provided herein are embodiments and methods for manipulating the orientation of a 1st metatarsal bone of a patient to correct the hallux valgus angle, as well as maintaining the orientation of the 1st metatarsal bone during preparation of the 1st metatarsocuneiform joint for arthrodesis.
The metatarsal alignment apparatus 100 includes a distal frame 104 configured for use on the left foot or right foot of the patient. A threaded shaft 108 is longitudinally disposed within a proximal frame 112 and threadably engaged with a cuneiform block 116. The cuneiform block 116 includes vertical holes 120 and angled holes 124 suitable for pinning the cuneiform block 116 to the cuneiform bone. The diameters of the holes 120, 124 may range between substantially 0.5 mm and substantially 3.0 mm, without limitation. The angle of the angled holes 124 with respect to vertical holes 120 may range between about 5° and about 20°, without limitation. The proximal frame 112 is configured to guide the cuneiform block 116 in a longitudinal direction as the threaded shaft 108 is turned. A shaped opening 128 disposed in a distal end of the threaded shaft 108 facilitates engaging a suitable rotary tool with the threaded shaft 108 for the purpose of turning the threaded shaft 108 to move the cuneiform bone.
As shown in
It should be understood that the threaded shaft 108 and the slots 144 may be used to translate and rotate the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone. For example, the threaded shaft 108 may include right-hand threads or left-hand threads for respectively distracting or compressing the 1st metatarsal and cuneiform bones, as desired. Further, the slots 144 facilitate translating the 1st metatarsal bone along a transverse plane and rotating the 1st metatarsal bone with respect to the cuneiform bone. The lock screw 148 can be used to lock the rotation angle of the 1st metatarsal bone at an angle of +/−30° with respect to the cuneiform bone.
It is contemplated that although the metatarsal alignment apparatus 100 of
The apparatus 180 includes a distal frame 184 configured for use on the left foot of the patient. A threaded shaft 188 is longitudinally disposed within a proximal frame 192 and threadably engaged with a cuneiform block 196 and a metatarsal block 200. The cuneiform block 196 includes vertical holes 204 and angled holes 208 suitable for pinning the cuneiform block 196 to the cuneiform bone. Similarly, the metatarsal block 200 includes vertical holes 204 and angled holes 208 for pinning the metatarsal block 200 to the 1st metatarsal bone. The diameters of the holes 120, 124 generally ranges between about 0.5 mm and about 3.0 mm, without limitation. The angled holes 124 may be angled at between about 5° and about 20° with respect to the vertical holes 120, without limitation.
The proximal frame 192 is configured to guide the cuneiform block 196 and the metatarsal block 200 along the longitudinal direction as the threaded shaft 188 is turned. The threaded shaft 188 engages the cuneiform block 196 with left-hand threads and engages the metatarsal block 200 with right-hand threads. Thus, turning the threaded shaft 188 causes the cuneiform block 116 and the metatarsal block 200 to move in opposite directions. For example, in one embodiment, turning a knob 212 clockwise to rotate the threaded shaft 188 causes the blocks 196, 200 to move away from one another. As such, turning the knob 212 clockwise may be used to distract the 1st metatarsal bone and the cuneiform bone during treating the hallux valgus angle of the left foot. Further, as shown in
With continuing reference to
The metatarsal alignment apparatus 240 shown in
As shown in
The metatarsal alignment apparatus 260 shown in
Similar to the metatarsal alignment apparatus 240 of
With continuing reference to
Turning, again, to
While the invention has been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application, entitled “Metatarsal Alignment Apparatus,” filed on Aug. 10, 2020 and having application Ser. No. 63/063,889, the entirety of said application being incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63063889 | Aug 2020 | US |
