Targeting device for orthopedic implants

Abstract

A medical system includes parts used in a method for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant and an aiming device. A positioning arm being connected to the aiming device and an adaptor device being connected to or integrally formed with a bone stabilizing plate are hooked into each other. This is accomplished by means of an engaging element of the positioning arm, which engaging element is designed such that it may be coupled with an attachment element of the adaptor device. Further, there is provided a snapping mechanism which is designed to automatically engage in an interlocking element of the adaptor device, when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a to 1e show different views of a bone stabilizing plate including an integrally formed adaptor device;

FIGS. 2 a to 2d show different views of a bone stabilizing medical system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 3 a to 3n illustrate the procedure for establishing a firm mechanical connection between the positioning arm and the adaptor device.

Claims

1. An adaptor device for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant and an aiming device, in particular between a bone stabilization implant and an aiming device for anchoring the implant to an internal part of a body, the adaptor device comprising: an attachment element, which is designed such that an engaging element of a positioning arm can be hooked into the adaptor device, andan interlocking element, which is designed such that a snapping mechanism of the positioning arm automatically engages in the interlocking element when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

2. The adaptor device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment element is a projection salient from a body of the adaptor device.

3. The adaptor device according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking element comprises an edge.

4. The adaptor device according to claim 1, further comprising a further attachment element, which is designed such that a further engaging element of the positioning arm can be hooked into the further attachment element.

5. The adaptor device according to claim 4, wherein the further attachment element is a further projection salient from a body of the adaptor device.

6. The adaptor device according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor device is formed integrally with the implant.

7. The adaptor device according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor device is formed integrally with an internal fixator, in particular with a plate which is used for a bone stabilization.

8. A positioning arm for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a bone stabilization implant and an aiming device for anchoring the implant to an internal part of a body, the positioning arm comprising: an engaging element, which is designed to be coupled to an attachment element of an adaptor device such that the positioning arm is hooked into the adaptor device, anda snapping mechanism, which is designed to automatically engage in an interlocking element of the adaptor device, when the positioning arm, when hooked into the adaptor device, is rotated relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position.

9. The positioning arm according to claim 8, wherein the engaging element is a notch.

10. The positioning arm according to claim 8, wherein the snapping mechanism comprises a hook type element, which is adapted to engage in the interlocking element.

11. The positioning arm according to claim 8, further comprising a further engaging element, which is designed to be coupled to a further attachment element of the adaptor device.

12. The positioning arm according to claim 11, wherein the further engaging element is a further notch.

13. The positioning arm according to claim 8, further comprising a handle for facilitating a manual rotation of the positioning arm with respect to the adaptor device.

14. The positioning arm according to any one of the claim 8, further comprising a locking device, adapted to lock the snapping mechanism.

15. The positioning arm according to claim 14, wherein the locking device comprises a rotatable lever.

16. The positioning arm according to claim 8, wherein the positioning arm is formed integrally with the aiming device.

17. The positioning arm according to claim 8, wherein the positioning arm is adapted to be detachably connected to the aiming device.

18. A method for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a bone stabilization implant and an aiming device for anchoring the implant to an internal part of a body, the method comprising: bringing together a positioning arm and an adaptor device in such a manner that an engagement element of the positioning arm is coupled to an attachment element on the adaptor device such that of the positioning arm is hooked into the adaptor device in a first angular position,rotating the positioning arm relative to the adaptor device towards a final angular position, andinserting a snapping mechanism of the positioning arm in an interlocking element of the adaptor device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of intervening occurs automatically when the positioning arm approaches the final angular position.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: locking the snapping mechanism by means of a locking device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the locking of the snapping mechanism comprises rotating a lever.

22. An apparatus for positioning a targeting device adjacent a medical implant which has at least one aperture therein for receiving a bone fastener, comprising: a handle portion;a flanged portion mounted on a distal end of a handle for contacting the implant, said flanged portion having an aperture alignable with the at least one aperture in the implant, said flanged portion having a locking element formed thereon for lockingly engaging a corresponding locking element on the implant upon relative movement between said flanged portion and the implant;a pivot element mounted on said handle adjacent said flanged portion for pivoting movement into and out of engagement with the implant; andan actuation element on said handle operatively connected to said pivot element and moveable from a first position where said pivot element is out of engagement with the implant to a second position where said pivot element engages the implant to produce said relative movement between said flange and the implant causing engagement of said locking elements.

23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said handle further includes a targeting device mounted adjacent said flanged portion.

24. The apparatus as set forth in claim 23 wherein said flanged portion is located distally of said targeting device on said handle.

25. The apparatus as set froth in claim 24 wherein said locking element formed on said flanged portion is a hook element and the locking element on the implant is an extension for engaging said hook element.

26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein the implant has a bone contacting surface and an outwardly facing surface with a sidewall therebetween with the at least one aperture extending from said outwardly facing surface to said bone contacting surface.

27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein said flanged portion contacts said outwardly facing surface of said implant with said aperture therein aligned with the aperture of the implant.

28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein said locking element formed on said flanged portion is a hook element and the locking element on the implant is an extension for engaging said hook element.

29. The apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein the extension on the implant extends from a sidewall thereon.

30. The apparatus as set froth in claim 29 wherein said hook element of said flanged portion extends from a first end thereof.

31. The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein said pivot element engages an edge surface of the implant adjacent a second end of said flanged portion.

32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said pivot element is biased to a position that is out of engagement with the implant.

33. A method for attaching a targeting device to a medical implant having at least one aperture therein for receiving a bone fastener comprising: placing a surface of the implant in contact with the bone;coupling a flanged portion of a handle which includes a targeting device mounted thereon to the implant by placing the flange portion on an outer surface of the implant opposite the surface contacting bone;engaging a fixed locking element on said flanged portion with a fixed locking element on said implant;locking the flanged portion to the implant by moving the flanged portion along said outer surface relative to the implant; andusing the targeting device to drill a hole in the bone for receiving the bone fastener.