Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction techniques are applied to an increased number of reconstruction operations. Drilling bone tunnels, e.g. femoral tunnels, in ACL reconstruction procedures is also increasing, as the number of ACL reconstruction operations has increased.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a dilator apparatus for effectively dilating a hole formed in a bone within a patient's body.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dilator apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough, and a dilation member coupled to the distal end of the body, the dilation member having a dilation body and a first distal nose coupled to the dilation body, in which a width of the dilation body is larger than a width of the first distal nose.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dilating a bone, the method comprising forming a first hole within a bone, inserting a dilator apparatus into the first hole, the dilator apparatus comprising a body and a dilation member, in which the dilation member is coupled to a distal end of the body, and advancing the dilator apparatus within the first hole formed in the bone to a predetermined depth within the bone.
The following is directed to various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims refer to particular features or components. As those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not function. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first component is coupled to a second component, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other components, devices, and connections. Further, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or substantially parallel to a central or longitudinal axis, while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to a central, longitudinal axis.
Additionally, directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. In general, “above,” “upper,” “upward,” and similar terms refer to a direction toward a proximal end of an instrument, device, apparatus, or system, and “below,” “lower,” “downward,” and similar terms refer to a direction toward a distal end of an instrument, device, apparatus, or system, but is meant for illustrative purposes only, and the terms are not meant to limit the disclosure.
Referring to
In one or more embodiments, the dilator apparatus 100 may include a handle 105 coupled to the proximal end 106 of the body 101. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, the width of the dilation body 109 may be larger than a width of the body 101. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, a region between the first distal nose 103 and the dilation body 109 may be a tapered region 104. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, a cross-section of the dilation body 109 of the dilation member 102 may be substantially oval-shaped. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cross-section of the dilation body 109 of the dilation member 102 may be any shape known in the art. For example, the cross-section of the dilation body 109 of the dilation member 102 may be circular, elliptical, hexagonal, triangular, or any other shape known in the art. In one or more embodiments, the major axis of the cross-section of the dilation member 102, i.e., the largest diameter of the cross-section of the dilation member 102, may be 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, or 7.5 mm. As such, graft sizes from 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, or 7.5 mm may be inserted into the dilated hole formed by the dilator assembly 100. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the major axis of the cross-section of the dilation member 102 may be any size and may accommodate any graft size that may be inserted into the body.
Further, in one or more embodiments, the first distal nose 103 may be approximately 4.5 mm in diameter. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the first distal nose 103 may have a diameter of any size and is not limited to a constant diameter of 4.5 mm. For example, in one or more embodiments, the diameter of the first distal nose 103 may be larger or smaller than 4.5 mm. Further, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the diameter of the first distal nose 103 may not be constant throughout. For example, the first distal nose 103 may have a diameter that increases, or decreases, along the longitudinal axis 150. Further, in one or more embodiments, the cross-section of the first distal nose 103 may be circular. However, in one or more embodiments, the cross-section of the first distal nose 103 may be elliptical, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or any other shape known in the art. In one or more embodiments, the first distal nose 103 may assist a surgeon when inserting the dilator apparatus 100 into a hole (not shown) formed in a bone (not shown).
Further, in one or more embodiments, the dilation body 109 of the dilation member 102 may include a plurality of broaches 110. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, the dilator apparatus 100 may be formed from any substantially rigid material known in the art. For example, the dilator apparatus 100 may be formed from steel, ceramic, plastic, polymer, or any combination thereof, known in the art.
Referring now to
In one or more embodiments, the dilator apparatus 200 may include a handle 205 coupled to the proximal end 206 of the body 201. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, the width of the dilation body 209 may be larger than a width of the body 201. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, a region between the first distal nose 203A and the second distal nose 203B and the dilation body 109 may be a tapered region 204. As shown in
In one or more embodiments, a cross-section of the dilation body 209 of the dilation member 202 may be substantially oval-shaped. However, as discussed above, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cross-section of the dilation body 209 of the dilation member 202 may be any shape known in the art. For example, the cross-section of the dilation body 209 of the dilation member 202 may be circular, elliptical, hexagonal, triangular, or any other shape known in the art. In one or more embodiments, the major axis of the cross-section of the dilation member 202, i.e., the largest diameter of the cross-section of the dilation member 202, may be 8 mm, 8.5 mm, 9 mm, 9.5 mm, or 10 mm. As such, graft sizes from 8 mm, 8.5 mm, 9 mm, 9.5 mm, or 10 mm may be inserted into the dilated hole formed by the dilator assembly 200. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the major axis of the cross-section of the dilation member 202 may be any size and may accommodate any graft size that may be inserted into the body.
Further, in one or more embodiments, a cross-section of the body 201 may be substantially oval-shaped. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cross-section of the dilation body 209 of the dilation member 202 may be any shape known in the art. For example, the cross-section of the dilation body 209 of the dilation member 202 may be circular, elliptical, hexagonal, triangular, or any other shape known in the art.
In one or more embodiments, at least one window may be formed through the body. As shown in
Further, in one or more embodiments, a hole may be formed through the body and the dilation member along the longitudinal axis of the body. As shown in
Although not shown, in one or more embodiments, the dilator apparatus 200 may include a plurality of broaches, e.g., the plurality of broaches 110 discussed above, formed on an outer surface of the dilation member 202. Further, in one or more embodiments, the dilator apparatus 200 may be formed from any substantially rigid material known in the art. For example, the dilator apparatus 200 may be formed from steel, ceramic, plastic, polymer, or any combination thereof, known in the art.
A method for dilating a bone, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, may include forming a first hole within a bone, inserting a dilator apparatus into the first hole, the dilator apparatus having a body and a dilation member, in which the dilation member is coupled to a distal end of the body, and advancing the dilator apparatus within the first hole formed in the bone to a predetermined depth within the bone.
For example, referring to
The method may also include inserting a first passing pin through the bone, measuring a size of the first hole and the predetermined depth within the bone with a depth probe, and orienting the dilator apparatus within the first hole formed in the bone.
For example, a surgeon may insert a first passing pin through a bone, e.g. a femur, and may drill a first hole into the bone. Subsequently, a depth probe may be used to measure the size of the first hole as well as the appropriate depth to dilate the bone. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the depth probe may be device or apparatus known in the art that may be used to measure the size of the first hole formed in the bone and/or the depth of the first hole formed in the bone. Further, referring to
Further, the method may also include forming a second hole within the bone, inserting a second passing pin through the bone, in which the dilation member of the dilator apparatus includes a first distal nose and a second distal nose, and aligning the first distal nose of the dilator apparatus with the first hole and the second distal nose of the dilator apparatus with the second hole.
For example, according to one or more aspects, the first passing pin and the second passing pin may be 2.4 mm passing pins, i.e., the first passing pin and the second passing pin may both be 2.4 mm in diameter. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that passing pins of any size may be used. For example, both the first passing pin and the second passing pin may be smaller or lager than 2.4 mm in diameter.
Further, as discussed above with regard to
Advantageously, embodiments disclosed herein may provide dilator assembly for effectively dilating a hole formed in a bone within a patient's body. For example, as the dilator assembly is advanced into a hole formed in a bone, the tapered region between the first distal nose and the dilation body may allow the diameter of the hole to transition from the diameter of the first distal nose to the diameter of the dilation body. Further, a plurality of broaches formed on an outer surface of the dilation body may assist with bone removal and may assist with the dilation of the hole formed in the bone, e.g. may assist with increasing the diameter and/or shape of the hole formed in the bone. Furthermore, one or more windows formed through the dilator apparatus, according to embodiments disclosed herein, may provide a surgeon which may promote increased visibility, sightline, and viewing as the dilator apparatus is advanced into the bone. These windows formed through the dilator apparatus may also reduce the weight of the dilator apparatus, without sacrificing much torsional stability, which may make bone dilation easier and more effective.
once the adjustable cannula is disposed and effectively engaged within a tissue, as described above, various medical instruments may be inserted and removed from a patient's body while minimizing tissue trauma in the area of skin surrounding the adjustable cannula. Additionally, adjustable cannula, according to embodiments disclosed herein, may provide a fluid seal between the body and the instrument path as well as between the inside and the outside of the body. For example, a first protruding member and a second protruding member, as described above, may form a seal between an exterior tissue surface and an interior tissue surface, respectively. Specifically, the seal formed by the first protruding member and the second protruding member may prevent fluid from escaping from the body during a surgical procedure. Likewise, the seal formed by the first protruding member and the second protruding member may prevent fluid from entering the body during a surgical procedure.
The adjustable cannula, according to embodiments disclosed herein, may also allow a surgeon to adjust the length of the tubular body of the adjustable cannula to accommodate for the tissue thickness of a particular patient. The adjustability of the length of the adjustable cannula may allow surgeons to use the cannula with a variety of patients, varying in size. Further, the adjustability of the length of the adjustable cannula may allow surgeons to use the cannula to access a variety of areas of interest within the body, e.g., various joints as well as various regions of the pelvic area. For example, the adjustable cannula may allow surgeons to use the cannula to access joints, such as a hip or shoulder joint, as well as a variety of sealed organs, such as a kidney or liver. Furthermore, as discussed above, engaging the second protruding member of the tubular body of the adjustable cannula may secure the adjustable cannula to the interior tissue surface and prevent undesired removal of the adjustable cannula during a surgical procedure. Additionally, the first protruding member and the second protruding member of the adjustable cannula may also provide a surface for tissue, e.g., subcutaneous tissue, to compress against. Compressing tissue with the first protruding member and the second protruding member of the adjustable cannula may shorten the pathway that medical instruments may have to travel in order to access areas of interest within the body. Finally, according to embodiments disclosed herein, once the second protruding member is engaged with the interior tissue surface of a body, the adjustable cannula may be used, e.g., pulled, to manipulate the interior tissue of a body, e.g., a joint, instrument workability, and work space within the body.
While embodiments have been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of embodiments disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of embodiments disclosed herein should be limited only by the attached claims.